My Top 5 List of Highly Awesome Classic Movie Musicals that You Should Watch

[@DandyWellington]

What's one of your top 5 classic movie musicals?

[@YountPower]

Okay, I'll throw you one you probably don't know of. It's called "Till the Clouds Roll By." It's another all A-lister movie that features Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Angela Lansbury. The music is entirely Jerome Kern's greatest hits, the dancing and singing are top-tier, and the outfits are killer. It's in the Public Domain, so have fun with that one.

[@DandyWellington]

Cody Yount I own “Till the Clouds Roll By” it’s wonderful! Another mammoth cast to honor the life of Kern

[@suzannebudlong8376]

I remember seeing Holiday Inn when i was a kid. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.... so much wonderful singing and dancing. Also the first movie with the song White Christmas. I would recommend the movie with a ..... warning i guess. There is a scene done with Crosby in blackface. The rest of the movie is wonderful. On a completely different note.... you put that image of Oscar up, and now i want to see you put together outfits based on Jim Henson’s characters.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Singing in the Rain is definitely on my list. My other favorites would probably be 1776, The Music Man, Hello Dolly, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (and Mary Poppins, if you're including Disney).

[@CatBATd4rklycu73]

Anchors Aweigh

[@weavernicelymorris5224]

If Bernadette Banner is a fan, so am I!!

[@charlesperrault69]

As a theatre kid, Dandy fanboying about his favourite musicals made my day

[@museumgirl9]

I was nodding along and the you put in Newsies and I lost it. Newsies is one of my top movies of all time. Great list I now have a couple movies to go watch.

[@nicoleolmsted2327]

Newsies is the absolute best!!! I know that movie by heart.

[@jenbergeron7955]

I've seen three of the five but now have added the other two to my "need to see" list! Great inspiration!

[@rosasquillacote43]

Fascinated by the reference to the hidden jazz base on all of these films (most all of which I have seen and love dearly). Would love another video exploring the roots of jazz in these musicals!

[@myrnaloy3731]

I bet I have seen Singing in the Rain more than a dozen times. I recently got to see it on the big screen, and holy cow, I saw things in it I’d never seen before!! If you get the chance to see it in a theater, do it. What a treat! Dandy, my second top 5 classic movie musical is “Footlight Parade”. Music, costumes, choreography...it has it all.

[@DandyWellington]

Melody Shular ooo never heard for that one! I’ll check it out . ✌🏾

[@SwiftFoxProductions]

@@DandyWellington If you end up liking "Footlight Parade", you should check out "42nd Street" too! They're the two big Busby Berkeley musicals that feature the iconic choreography he became most famous for. Also, check out "Yankee Doodle Dandy" if you never have. It's the other big musical that Jimmy Cagney did (and one of my favorites). Cagney wasn't known for musicals but, "Footlight Parade" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" are two big ones he did star in (he actually was a Broadway dancer, he just happened to become best-known in movies for playing gangsters).

[@FrugalOverFifty]

This made me so happy my face hurts from smiling. I raised my kids with Singin’ in the Rain, they used to roll around on the floor shrieking MAKE EM LAUGH!!!! 😂❤️ One of them is now obsessed with tap, she dances and teaches. I loved everything about this video! Thank you for this joy!

[@StephanieCanada]

My favorite is still White Christmas. I cry every time!

[@Thekidfromcalifornia2.0]

I am super happy they are not the typical ones.

[@DandyWellington]

Jonny Hicks oh for sure!! I figure if we are going to talk about it why not broaden the conversation. There is so much great work in this genre that is rarely replicated later on. Thanks for watching!

[@TheVintageVoyageur]

OMG this is fabulous!!! You and I have the same origin story of being drawn into showbiz by these classic films. I literally was screaming during Roberta. THE FASHION! I must rewatch as it's been years! Thank you always for the inspo!

[@Lisotchka]

Thank you very much for this list! I love Singing in the rain (certainly my favorite movie!) but don’t know the others. I have to see them! ❤️

[@thebratqueen]

One of the great things about the older movies is that, because they were still treating movies as essentially stage plays being filmed, you get to SEE the dancing. It's not like today where sadly too many dance films do rapid cuts in the mistaken belief that's how you keep the audience's attention and/or that they can hide the fact they didn't hire actual dancers for the parts. (Obvious exceptions being movies like the Step Up series or Center Stage which did have actual dancers and understood how to show them.) Also I will watch everything you want to make on vintage movies and more, so yes please!

[@khaxjc1]

TheBrat Queen completely agree about actually seeing the dancing in modern stuff! Even if they insist on doing jump cuts they could keep in more wide shots. The number of times Ive face palmed from seeing them zoom in on a single limp of hand for a second before flashing to a face to another limb. Show us the dancing.

[@TheLonnieMiller]

At this point, I think I can recite Singing in the Rain word for word... also, I was in love with Debbie Reynolds before I knew what being gay was, so.

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

Wow, of the films you've listed, I've only seen Singing in the Rain and Newsies. I have to go find the other three!

[@Kenterberry]

I would love to see more musicals! Thanks for this pick-me-up!

[@Alisaswonderland]

Yes please, we want more! 🤩🥰❤️

[@karengerber8390]

I love your clothes today!! Sharp, Sir!

[@aquoisepenguin_mm]

All amazing choices!! I'd LOVE to see a Menswear at the Movies for Singin' in the Rain! and I'm definitely adding Cabin in the Sky and Roberta to my "to-watch" list. I especially love tap dance in movie musicals, would you ever consider doing a video of your favorite cinematic tap numbers? or a little history of tap in film? . (PS. Alan Menken is, to my knowledge, still alive. You might be thinking of his long-time writing partner Howard Ashman, who died tragically young? Ashman didn't work on Newsies, but they worked together for a bunch of Disney films in the 90s. And Little Shop of Horrors, one of my other all time favorites!)

[@khaxjc1]

Aquoisepenguin Im seconding the ideas of a video on tap dance in film and a Menswear at the movies for Singin' in the Rain! Maybe we could also get a video about how shooting in black and white effected fashion in film?

[@elgeevampsunscreen]

Dandy Wellington, you are an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT! Thank you for this video! Excellent picks! And thank you for including Cabin In the Sky!! Yessss!! And mad love for Singing In the Rain - I'm a big Jean Hagen fan.

[@Blitzcomo]

My middle school choir teacher would end out the year by having us watch one or two movie musicals. My favorites she ever showed us were Singing in the Rain and Hello, Dolly! and I still adore HD with my whole heart.

[@khaxjc1]

Teela Comeau Normally I don't have much of a visual memory. With musicals I can remember the songs, how people, an actors face, and maybe some costumes bud but I cant picture as scene with much detail. And measure of a film that left a real impression on me is one I can close my eyes and see. Singing in the rain? Ive got a good deal from that and others but Hello, Dolly? I can watch clips from all throughout that thing just closing my eyes and sinking into the memory. The sets, costumes, dancing, dialogue, and performances just imprinted in there. Its one of those films I want everyone to have seen so I can talk about it with them but time and again it seems they never heard of it. At least my grandmother and I can still quote it in conversation and sing the songs together.

[@sharpduds]

I have a lead-lined 78 of Lovely To Look At that was probably released around the same time as Roberta, and it's one of my most prized in the collection

[@thetimelesscostumemaker1266]

This was an incredible list! I would love to see more of you picks, to add to our movie library. Singin' in the Rain, and Newsies have always been on my top five list of musicals and now my children love these two movies also.

[@amandat3655]

Omg this video read my mind! I’ve been watching/listening to so many musicals during quarantine

[@yessenialopez-t5p]

Newsies is definitely one of my favorites✨

[@DandyWellington]

Yessenia Lopez such a classic!

[@lisamz]

Love this list with unique picks. Especially love the inclusion of all-black casts.

[@TheLonnieMiller]

I also have fond memories of watching some of the most bizarre and niche Fred Astaire movies in chorus. So much fun.

[@khaxjc1]

Lonnie Miller Shall We Dance is a particular favorite of mine. I used to hare when people thought I meant the modern film of the same name.

[@Martyn2021]

To quote another well-known musical 'Please Sir can we have some more'.

[@idge_haq]

I'm so glad other people appreciate Newsies! My friends all prefer the newer Broadway version. I like it, but I love the '92 version so much better. The only other movie I've seen on this list is Singing in the Rain, and it is one of my all time favorites. But now I have at least three more movies to watch (I know some people are dropping more in the comments) and I am really excited!

[@lauramiller8400]

I love Singing in the Rain and everything Gene Kelly. My favorite song has always been Make Em Laugh, though Moses is also excellent. I’m glad to get the rest of this list to check out too. I’ve always had a soft spot for early Shirley Temple too. Catchy songs and excellent dancing

[@khaxjc1]

I love Moses but Make Em Laugh is so much more then a song. I feel like anyone interested in film, acting, or comedy should be required to study that performance.

[@beeb6730]

I grew up with musicals too, my mom lived black and white musicals and passed that along so his was super fun and nostalgic for me.

[@bardlark]

I love this all so much. Newsies is one of my favorites as well as the others. When I was growing up I remember watching movie musicals on TV though I didn't discover Newsies until I found it on vhs. Then I had to get my own copy and recently read the book Children of the City that inspired it. For me, its just one of those movies for me as is the soundtrack. Ages ago I bought a cd collection of all the music from Astaire and Rogers and was gifted all of Rodgers and Hammerstein. I look forward to more of your fashion at the movies and love your take on everything. Please do Singin' in the Rain as the fashion seems to be in the fascinating place of stylized and yet at points more realistic. And I loved hearing that you enjoy Flying Down to Rio, such a fun and strange film with great Astaire and Rogers' chemistry. Also a take on some of Astaire's fashion as he really seems to have a particular style that's different from the other men in his movies. Love your channel.

[@pixiemeg]

I love that shade of purple on your tie and pocket square!

[@TeftG]

I just recently got into the whole vintage thing and I‘m glad that I have new movies for my list now :) thank you so much!!

[@khaxjc1]

Ti ana if your into Women's Fashion History The Women is a heck of an experience. All the clothes and the hats! There is actually an entire section were they are at a fashion show and its just a long montage of outfit after outfit. Its obviously not for everyone but its still a heck of a thing to see.

[@TeftG]

khaxjc1 thank you for the recommendation!

[@Alex-Sews]

Newsies... saw it in the theater at 10; I still have the YA book adaption. I also taped it off the TV onto VHS and I got the DVD as an adult. I know it's outside your preferred vintage, but I absolutely LOVE the clothes in it and would wear anything in similar style.

[@khaxjc1]

As a 4/5 year old I saw Fred and Ginger for the first time in Shall We Dance. I already loved musicals but this was something so much more. I was captivated by this black and white film that felt fantastical in a way not even fantasy films managed. I loved the songs. The performances. How much emotion they got across when singing. And the dancing. The fun and grace and style they could pack in. And the chemistry. Little me didn't even have a real understanding of what I was seeing I just new I loved how all the characters meshed together and the twinkle in Fred and Gingers eyes when they looked at each other at certain points. Their relationship in that film set an ideal for me little me. They were able to have fun and come off as friends and at the time that was novel in much of the media I was exposed to. I fell in love with that film and have refused to get rid of the VHS through a hell of a lot even though I have no way of watching it any longer. It will always be my favorite musical... but second place? There is no making a choice for second. I refuse to try. There are too many to love! One thing for me that so many of the vintage films get right that modern don't always nail is actually packing emotion into the song. I don't care if someone has a great voice. I care about whether they can use that voice to make me feel they are singing from the heart. The best renditions give you a feel in character. Even if you couldn't understand the lyrics you'd still feel you have an idea of that person. Another then they get right is wide shots. Pull back and let me see the motions in the dance. Lots of fun angles may provide energy but it takes away from the thing. I know a lot of it comes down to not having as much time to rehearse so mistakes need to be cut and avoided but too many the jump cuts close ups hurts my soul. Im sorry about going on so much. Sadly I never get to talk about musicals much. The only musical lover in my live is my grandmother and she'd rather watch and sing the songs then talk about them. In fact most of the people in my life would say they dont like musicals... no matter how many times I tell them that there is too much variety in the genre for that to be true. If they like music, then there is a musical out there they'll like. I proved it with one friend when 40 seconds into the Guys and Dolls soundtrack she admitted with a sort of shocked awe "I actually like this". Sadly its been the only hit so far. Much thanks for the video, and kudos to anyone who's made it through this comment.

[@jamiedianne6778]

Classic movie musicals are my JAM. 😆 100% you should do Singin in the Rain for your menswear series!! My all time favorite classic musical is Meet Me in St. Louis, but Singin in the Rain is a close second. I NEED to check out Cabin in the Clouds ASAP, it looks amazing! Thank you for all your amazing content! 🙌

[@khaxjc1]

Jamie Dianne backing Singin in the rain for the menswear series. Also, Meet Me In St. louis is amazing. As a small child we had the special anniversary vhs which played behind the scenes stuff after the movie and I watched film and extra over and over. I think I might have actually ruined it for my mother with that. Some with the Grease which was also a special anniversary vhs. I wonder as an adult if there are some things she never bought for home viewing just to avoid my obsessive tendencies.... but how can you not want to keep rewatching something that good!

[@amandaobrien339]

OMG! Newsies 😍. I agree with your list overall, great choices! But, you got me with Newsies...I definitely wasn't expecting that. My sister and I were obsessed throughout the 90s and rented it regularly from the video store. I went as a newsie for Halloween one year and did a high school research paper on the 1899 news strike. ❤ Other classic movie musicals that I love: White Christmas, Brigadoon, Summer Stock, and No Business Like Show Business. As you said, I could go on and on. Thanks for the great content and for hitting me right in the feels today!! 📽🎙🎭

[@khaxjc1]

Amanda O'Brien Brigadoon! My library was actually selling a copy of the dvd in their sale back in march and I snatched it right up. Once things are safer there are people who I will be forcing to come view it with me. They will no longer have an excuse for having never seen it.

[@agnesbartonsabo]

This is so fun!!! Singin in the Rain and Newsies both featured very heavily in my teenage years, I think I played those VHS tapes til they disintegrated! I also always loved An American In Paris but I would watch pretty much any musical or dancing movie anytime.

[@susanpolastaples9688]

I've been trying to find a copy of Cabin in the Sky for years. Now, I really have to. Singing in the Rain and Roberta are my favourites on the list with Ziegfield Follies a close second. I was hoping to see An American in Paris on the list. All are good Menswear in the Movies choices.

[@riverofstars3287]

“Late genius Alan Menken??” Menken is not dead! Dude, he’s still out there working on stuff

[@SwiftFoxProductions]

Yeah, I think he may have mixed him up with Howard Ashman. Ashman was Menken's songwriting partner on a number of projects, particularly Disney films so, it's an understandable mix-up. But, yes, a regrettable one since poor Alan Menken is very much still composing. 😆

[@SwiftFoxProductions]

Dang, I love your list!! Fantastic picks! I’m a fellow movie musical fan so, I’ve seen them all. 😊My favorite has to be “Singing’ in the Rain” but, “Newsies” is a close second. So cool that you picked out “Roberta” for your Fred & Ginger movie! Not as many people mention that one. There are so many movie musicals that I love: “Easter Parade”, “Top Hat”, “Calamity Jane”, “Pal Joey”, “Summer Stock”, “Meet Me in St. Louis”, “The Wizard of Oz”... But, one classic musical I love that, definitely, isn’t as well-known is “My Sister Eileen” with Bob Fosse, Janet Leigh, and the hilarious Betty Garrett. If you haven't seen it, you should check it out on Amazon!

[@drhelenloney1426]

Awesome indeed! I only recently saw Roberta, it was hilarious (and a little naughty :0). Do more, please, I really enjoyed it!

[@lornam3637]

I love this so much!! I'm a sucker for anything with Fred Astaire or kaleidoscopic synchronized swimming ( I used to be one 😬). Singing in the Rain is the ultimate melancholy-beating song for me.

[@krunoslavkovacec1842]

Could you maybe reccomend us some vintage shops or menswear stores where you buy your clothing? Most vintage stores I know sell some horrible 80s and 90s clothing. Thank you and keep safe!

[@reneejackson3298]

Never watched any of them (outside of clips) but now I have to! You've made them look so yummy!

[@DandyWellington]

Renee Jackson thanks! I gotta tells you, they are some of the best.

[@reneejackson3298]

@@DandyWellington I live in North Pole Alaska (in what I call the Santahood!) I can see what's going to be on my watch list for this winter 😉

[@laurag5583]

😻😻😻😻New subscriber (direct from Bernadette Banner, to whom I am profoundly grateful): I have seen them all and even studied Singing in the Rain and Cabin in the Sky in college (back in the ancient times in the 1970s!). All Fred Astaire movies, the Pinky Lee segment of What a Way to Go and too many more to mention. For sentimental reasons, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a huge favorite. 😻🎹😻

[@mrmotormo]

This is an awesome video! Thank you for your enthusiasm, artistry and expertise! I used Singin' in the Rain to teach my students about the advent of sound and color in film, and because it is a classic! I have requested Ziegfield and Cabin from my local library--thank you. I see that both Cabin in the Sky and Ziegfield Follies were directed by Minnelli and produced by Freed, whoa! So much creative heaven! I have a true soft spot for Meet Me in St. Louis (the red velvet dress is the best ball dress in all of film).

[@joecoloff4247]

Dandy this is why I follow your channel

[@DaniOhDani]

Two that aren't immediately thought of by people but rank high for me are On The Town (yes it's Gene Kelly but hellooooooooooo Ann Miller!! - loved the quick clip of her in the beginning) and A Song is Born (I had a huge crush on Danny Kaye as a child). A Song is Born may not be a brilliant movie, but the music, oh the music....AND you've got Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Tommy Dorsey etc? I'll sit back and watch every time.

[@williammann6709]

Have not seen Cabin or Roberta...thanks to you, two more on my Netflix queue! Shared on FB and Pinterest!

[@TheMetatronGirl]

How have I not seen Cabin in the Sky?? I must go find it post haste!! You mentioned so many great ones, I’m hard pressed to add to the list. If you included Broadway, I’d have to put Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera on the list, though. I seriously cannot wait to see your Menswear videos for Singing in the Rain and Roberta! Be well, and have a joyous week.

[@insulaarachnid]

I have never seen the Ziegfeld Follies, had obv heard of it, however did not know the cast was that amazing and will now definitely check it out. * Appreciated the brief reference to Robin Hood (1973) cartoon, such a childhood classic!

[@themusecalliope1066]

Roberta is totally my fave Fred & Ginger film. Excellent choice. Ooo! And Ziegfeld Follies! Great choices all 'round. My choice for menswear at the movies is: Singin' in the Rain.

[@Thialeana]

Someone else who knows about Cabin in the Sky! Excellent movie! My top favorite musicals are; Anything Goes, Annie, The Newsies, Mary Poppins and Les Miserables.

[@judithcollins3744]

Great dancers did it in one long streaming take. The jumping around camera shots just seem like cheating. Love old musicals with real talented stars. xx

[@annacampbell8148]

Can still recite the prolog- because it’s Newsies! Great list.

[@amiejo]

Tim Tams are life. Newsies is amazing and shout out to 90’s kids doing old school pirating recording edited for TV movies on VHS. Today’s kids don’t appreciate the #struggle would love to see you top 5 classic holiday must watch list!

[@johannaf2998]

I love the Busby Berkeley musicals, especially the gold digger movies. As far as Menswear in the movies, The Kingsman and American Gangster come to mind as more recent movies.

[@ascdancer]

I had NEVER HEARD of Cabin in the Sky!! Thank you!! I thought the Follies was an interesting choice, but I don't disagree. I actually love Hello Dolly bc, hey, BARBARA STREISAND AND LOUIS ARMSTRONG TOGETHER ok, and it's underrated in my opinion. I would like to thank Wall-E for introducing it to me! But Singin' in the Rain is my comfort movie. I would love to see you do menswear at the movies for this one, because I've always noticed in general that the difference between a Gene and a Fred character is fundamentally whether or not the sleeves are rolled up! My all-time favourite though, aside from Singin' in the Rain, is White Christmas. It's just....it's not Christmas without it.

[@nbuttons1122]

I haven't seen cabin in the sky.... And somehow I've never seen Newsies ! These will go on my list!

[@arvmeister9302]

Love that vest! Wonder where you can find one, huh?

[@crystalsidyll5746]

Off to find a way to watch Cabin in the Sky, because it looks great. I've seen the others on your list and concur they are all great. My favorite is probably Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Howard Keel was my first celebrity crush when all my friends were gaga for Luke Skywalker.

[@akashanumberfive199]

My favorite so far seven brides for seven brothers

[@shannonc.5837]

A musical I really like is Sun Valley Serenade. I’m a huge fan of Glenn Miller!

[@BeverleyButterfly]

Yes if you hadn't had a fred and ginger movie included I would have had to unsubscribe hehe I loved this and they were my faves too along with Shirley temple films I love watching her dance! I need to see cabin in the sky I have added it to my list xx

[@grooveonthehillside]

Maybe I’m basic but Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is definitely in my top 5.

[@sebastianedwards8666]

Australian viewer here. Still looking for those TimTams?

[@terrortara6994]

❤️❤️❤️

[@petew74]

What is the lapel badge you are wearing here sir?

[@sfinyt]

Yeah, I watched those movies as a child too, loved them, and they made me want to sing and dance. And, I still love them, even more now, especially the women's fashion and hair, but, I am now only interested in the ones in color. And, jazz was invented by blacks, and these films also have tap dancing and that was invented by blacks.

[@Lauren_aida]

WHOA WAIT, what happened to Alan Menken?!

[@Sallafar]

The only downside of some of these beautiful movies is that you can't admire all of the clothes colours^^

[@lavendah42]

Australian here looking for a postal address