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Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance: A History of Movie Musicals
In this superb book Kobal gives his views on the American musical and also includes a unique and illumnating section on Eropean musical films. With over 600 black and white and more than 60 colour illustrations, all carefully chosen to illuminate, expand and communicate the author's passion - this book provides a fitting tribute to the spirit of the film musical.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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July 24, 2012
Since I love old black and white movies, love old musicals and love movie history, this is a no brainer, I love this book. John Kobal is a knowledgeable author who has written extensively about movies and their players. In addition he is the owner of the renowned Kobal Collection of gorgeous movie stills. The many full page black & white photographs are wonderful; I recently saw one reproduced on the website Retronaut.com, a tribute to their timelessness.
Mr. Kobal approaches the musicals chronologically and does an outstanding job of explaining not only their context in movie history but also their context within American history. He has studied his material thoroughly and shares what he's learned about the artistic aspects of making movies, the art and technology behind the scenes and how those make or break a movie. Also included are brief bios of actors, writers, directors, producers, choreographers and composers who made a significant impact on movie musicals.
Kobal interviewed some of the actors involved and those interviews add a great deal to the book and the historical record. I acquired a new perspective on familiar movies such as Meet Me in St. Louis and director Vincent Minnelli and was introduced to Rouben Mammoulian, a director with whom I was not familiar and whose movies I very much look forward to watching.
If you enjoy musicals and movie history, this is a good and honest primer on the genre but don't expect more than what the title promises. You will especially enjoy the beautifully reproduced photographs. However, if you're looking for sad, seedy stories of the exploited, this is not the book for you.
Mr. Kobal approaches the musicals chronologically and does an outstanding job of explaining not only their context in movie history but also their context within American history. He has studied his material thoroughly and shares what he's learned about the artistic aspects of making movies, the art and technology behind the scenes and how those make or break a movie. Also included are brief bios of actors, writers, directors, producers, choreographers and composers who made a significant impact on movie musicals.
Kobal interviewed some of the actors involved and those interviews add a great deal to the book and the historical record. I acquired a new perspective on familiar movies such as Meet Me in St. Louis and director Vincent Minnelli and was introduced to Rouben Mammoulian, a director with whom I was not familiar and whose movies I very much look forward to watching.
If you enjoy musicals and movie history, this is a good and honest primer on the genre but don't expect more than what the title promises. You will especially enjoy the beautifully reproduced photographs. However, if you're looking for sad, seedy stories of the exploited, this is not the book for you.
Displaying 1 of 1 review