10 Stage-to-Screen Musicals Hollywood Got Right

Adapting a musical, Broadway or otherwise, to film is a tricky business. Musicals have their own specific magic that can sometimes feel inextricably tied to the stage, and their inherent theatricality can, if not handled correctly, come off as unbearably camp on the big screen. On Friday, we got chills after watching the new international trailer for Les Misérables, and, especially after Anne Hathaway’s performance on SNL last night we are registering our feelings as squarely hopeful that the film will knock us out. Though Hollywood has had many failures in this area (Phantom of the OperaNine), some of their adaptations have been completely brilliant, in some cases even overtaking the original productions. After the jump, we’ve put together a list of some of the best ever stage-to-screen musicals — both to warm you up for Les Mis and just maybe to give a little inspiration to the producers and directors of the upcoming film remakes of Jersey Boys and Into the Woods. Make it work, you guys.

My Fair Lady

The original 1956 Broadway production of My Fair Lady, based of course on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, was an unprecedented hit, setting the then-record for the longest running musical in history, and heralded by The New York Times, albeit with the advantage of hindsight, as “the perfect expression of the perfect musical.” However, it was the 1964 film, starring the indomitable Audrey Hepburn, which cemented the story in the culture’s imagination, winning eight Academy Awards and being pretty much the most delightful thing ever. Not to alarm/over-excite you, but there may be even yet another remake in the works, starring Colin Firth and Carey Mulligan. So far, so good, but those are some big shoes to fill.

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I completely agree that Hedwig and the Angry Inch could be added to this list... such a great musical and John Cameron Mitchell gives an amazing performance!

Hedwig and Cabaret for sure, but also Sweet Charity. The musical itself is a little blah, but Fosse's direction makes for some amazing moments (his choreography for Rich Man's Frug, Big Spender, and Rhythm of Life, for example).

What about RENT? Putting the music in the movie in a way that was less show-tune-like enhanced the original. See my review for the film here: http://artsandyouthlove.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/movie-review-rent-2/

I have to call you on a couple of selections you overlooked, most notably "1776" which was absolutely brilliant, shot on location in Independence Hall in Philadelphia and is a July 4th must watch. Since it has been restored to it's full glory (President Nixon wanted the song "Cool Conservative Men" cut from the film and his pal Jack Warner obliged), even moreso. William Daniels portrayal of John Adams basically earned him the role of Dr. Mark Craig on St. Elsewhere, which led to his role as the History teacher at JOHN ADAMS High on "Boy Meets World," Mr. Feeny. Talk about a single role having resonance in an actor's life! I would also include "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," if, for nothing else, it captures a very good glimpse into what 1960s New York was like, or at least LOOKED like! And before you shout me down about it being outdated or misogynistic, keep in mind that it's had two Broadway revivals since, Matthew Broderick and most recently Daniel Radcliffe. If you enjoy watching "Mad Men," how can you overlook Robert Morse's young, ambitious business climber out on the streets of NYC, circa 1965?

I don't want to call it ignorance, so I'll call it youth and inexperience. All the great ones (Gypsy, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof) were Jerome Robbins's vision, both on stage and screen. It was he who changed the Broadway musical from frothy fluff to serious drama. Tim Burton is an infantilist; I can picture the diapers under his tux on awards night. Johnny Depp wasn't bad in Sweeney Todd (which I saw on stage three times: Broadway, NY City Opera, and concert with Patti Lupone and Michael Cerveris). Helena Bonham Carter deserved to be shot for that performance. She stinks in general, but really stinks when her boyfriend directs her. Yuck. Grow up, Flavorpill. If you don't know what you're talking about (and you don't), swallow your pride and ask your parents.

@Padric, no Cabaret is a fairly mediocre adaptation of a rather brilliant stage musical. Get a hold of the original Broadway soundtrack if you don't know it. Major faults in the film version of cabaret (IMNSHO): * Making Sally American, and Cliff English. In the original, Sally is English, and Cliff is American, and the show is much better for it. The story is more plausible, and there is the middle section of the title song which refers to Chelsea, (i.e. London). * Entirely excising the subplot involving the landlady and her Jewish admirer (the Meeskite song etc.) * Cutting some of the best songs ("Don't tell Mama", "The Telephone Song", "Sitting Pretty", "Married" etc.) I know that some folks love the movie, but it's really not a great adaptation. On thing I do like in the movie is "The Money Song", not in the stage version which is an obvious replacement for "Sitting Pretty", and both are in turn clearly inspired by "There's nothing quite like Money" by Brecht and Eisler.

I'm utterly gobsmacked that Cabaret isn't on the list; it's one of the best adaptations ever...

You left out Hedwig and the Angry Inch, one of the best modern musicals of our time!