Bob’s most recent montage celebrated dance, and specifically focused on non-professional dancing. I’d been thinking about doing a post along similar lines, but he inspired me to go ahead and work on it. I love when a musical number, professional or no, breaks into an otherwise non-musical film – even if a film isn’t technically a musical, a well-placed musical number can create or offset a mood, provide insight into the characters, parallel the plot or move it along, or simply be a fun break in the action. Here are some of my favorites, loosely ordered. What are some of yours?
15. (500) Days of Summer – “You Make My Dreams Come True”
Pretty much all of (500) Days of Summer delighted me, but this scene in particular did because it totally came out of nowhere. It’s clear throughout the film that we’re seeing Tom’s subjective interpretation of his relationship with Summer, and the fact that he would insert a dance number into the narrative at his happiest moment solidified my love for the film. It’s unexpected, and yet perfect.
14. O Brother Where Art Thou – “The Man of Constant Sorrow”
There’s so much music scattered throughout O Brother Where Art Thou that the soundtrack has almost overshadowed the film in some ways. But it’s still not really a musical, or structured as such – instead this musical interlude as our three convicts try to get a few coppers to continue their journey comes as a great old-timey surprise. I also like their interrupted reprise of this at the rally later in the film, but couldn’t find a good YouTube copy of it (without a lot of extraneous stuff included).
13. And God Created Woman – Mambo
This film was Brigitte Bardot’s calling card and an obvious New Wave forerunner – it’s rather common for New Wave films to include random musical sequences, but when Bardot (who was also a singing star) is involved, it makes even more sense. Except here she’s not singing, but dancing. In the context of the story, she’s rebelling against her conservative husband through this wild and sensual mambo. Dance becomes a weapon, a challenge thrown in the face of tradition – both the traditionalism of her family within the story and against the French film establishment at the time the film was made. I am curious what people who have seen the film think of the ending. I’m never sure how I feel about it.
12. Rio Bravo – “My Rifle, My Pony, and Me”
One of the most easy-going and pleasurable of all Westerns has John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, and Walter Brennan as lawmen guarding an outlaw in jail, expecting his gang to try to come break him out. Though there’s action aplenty once the shooting starts, the film’s not afraid to bask in the hanging out vibe as the group simply waits for something to happen. With two singers in the cast, a song is inevitable, and the couple of songs in the film are perfectly in tune with the film. (See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPYCJlFfhW8)
11. Gilda – “Put the Blame on Mame”
Like Juliete in And God Created Woman, Gilda is using song and dance as a weapon – doing an enthusiastic striptease as part of the psychological game she’s playing with former lover Glenn Ford, who clearly considers her something of a slut and hates it both for himself and her husband/his boss. She continually throws that perception in his face, determined to be the thing he hates just to spite him. Even out of context, it’s a pretty iconic film moment, and Rita Hayworth has never been lovelier.
10. It Happened One Night – “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze”
Heiress Ellie Andrews is running away. Reporter Peter Warne insinuates himself as her escort, sensing a story. They’re on a bus, travelling across the US during the depression. Up to now Ellie has been standoffish and distant, but when the entire bus breaks out into song, she can’t help but be carried away with it, and soon she and Peter are singing the chorus as well. It’s a wonderful moment in the film, as class, wealth, and personal barriers are broken down and a group of disparate (some of them desperate) people share a common bond, for a few verses at least.
9. Pierrot le fou – “Jamais je ne t’ai dit que je t’aimerai toujour”
It’s not unusual for Anna Karina or other Godard characters to break into song or dance, and there are actually two songs in Pierrot le fou. But I love this one particularly – it focuses in on the romantic relationship of the film, as Marianne playfully wonders if, knowing her, they’ll love each other forever – a valid question, considering the rest of the film, though neither the song nor the film eschews lush romanticism. But also as she’s singing, watch the shots in the kitchen, because they subtly indicate the other plot of the film.
8. Blue Valentine – “You Always Hurt the Ones You Love”
This scene is simultaneously joyful and heartbreaking – joyful because it’s a wonderfully sweet depiction of two people just falling in love and enjoying each other’s company, heartbreaking because you know the trauma that their relationship will soon be going through. It’s an utterly perfect distillation of everything about the film, as even though in context, the song and dance is lighthearted and goofy, the song he’s singing is painfully prescient. (Some clips from the film are being removed for copyright – if this one is, check out the official trailer here – it’s basically this scene/song intercut with scenes from later in the marriage.)
7. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? – “Why Don’t You Do Right”
Ah, remember when mixed live-action/animation films had hand-drawn animation, zany stories, and were awesome? Yeah. Here detective Eddie Valiant gets a surprise when he first sees Jessica Rabbit, who does a spot-on imitation of every sultry 1940s nightclub number, with particular reference to Tex Avery’s Cinderella/Red Riding Hood set of cartoon shorts. Plus a great cameo from Betty Boop. Va-va-va-voom!
6. Young Frankenstein – “Putting on the Ritz”
The last thing you’d expect from Frankenstein and his monster is a hoofing routine, but that’s exactly what the younger Dr. Frankenstein decided would be the perfect way to show off his creation. And I think we can all agree that the world is a better place for it.
5. Jules and Jim – “Le Tourbillon”
Every time I see Jules and Jim I manage to forget about this song, which just makes it a great surprise every time. Such a very simple song, but Jeanne Moreau’s directness of delivery works perfectly with it – probably the most humanizing moment for her in the whole film.
4. The Naked Kiss – “The Little Child” (aka “Mommy Dear”)
This musical interlude in Fuller’s unabashedly odd cult classic fits in perfectly with the tone of the film – it’s simultaneously heartbreaking due to the children’s situation and the underlying plot of the film and sublimely weird due to the widely varying ways the kids (and teacher) performs it and the vacant stares of the intercut shots.
3. Mulholland Drive – Club Silencio / “Llorando”
One of the most powerful scenes in this film or any other, the Club Silencio scene in Mulholland Drive is great both on its own as a surreal take on fakery in theatre and an amazing vocal performance from Rebekah Del Rio, and also within the movie as the final catalyst to drive the characters (and us) into the last section of the film. There are many clues in the film as to what is really going on, but this one is perhaps the key.
2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – “Moon River”
There’s nothing much more iconic than Audrey Hepburn performing “Moon River” in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It captures the wistful longings of Holly Golightly, the side of her that most of the world doesn’t see in her hard-partying lifestyle. And it’s perfect for Hepburn’s hesitatingly evocative vocal style; I actually love her voice in the right song, and her other films (even when she sings for herself) don’t capture what “Moon River” does.
1. Modern Times – “The Nonsense Song”
What could be more surprising than a song in a silent film? But of course, sound had long since become standard in Hollywood when Chaplin made his last silent, and the choice to include this wonderful nonsense song in Modern Times (the first time Chaplin’s voice had been heard on screen) was absolutely genius. It proves both that Chaplin could thrive in a world of sound, and that he didn’t need it – the sense and humor of the song is communicated even without intelligible words.
Bonus: Band of Outsiders – “The Madison”
Because I can’t bear to do a post that even remotely fits in and not include it, because I adore it.
Man, that scene in Naked Kiss creeped the hell out of me. So perfect in that film.
One of my all-time favourites is the festival dance at the end of Zatoichi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8QwOoH2eos&fmt=18
EDITED:
This is awesome Jandy, especially love And God Created Woman, Rio Bravo and Blue Valentine inclusions.
some others
End of Before Sunset
Tv on the Radio marriage serenade in Rachel Getting Married
Cabiria’s dance in Nights of Cabiria
Lorlando is my all time fav! Glad it made it to the TOP 3!
And Keith is onto something with the Zatoichi end. It’s pretty magnificent more of a dance # though (that could be a top 10 too, I also nominate Bend it Like Beckham and O Lucky Man!) for full-cast great end sequences! Throw in the opening credits of James Gunn’s SUPER just for kicks!)
The one I was dying to include but couldn’t because it’s not on YouTube (that I could find) is Penelope Cruz singing in Volver. LOVE THAT.
Keith, I know, right? I was really creeped out by it at first, and then I found it really moving, and now I don’t even know. Whatever it is, it’s fantastic. That Zatoichi one is great! I tried to think of some Asian stuff to include, but my knowledge of Asian cinema is really limited. I’m hoping more people chime in with some beyond the US and France to check out.
Mike, it was actually rewatching And God Created Woman that set me thinking about this. I figured including Rio Bravo and Blue Valentine would offset your dislike for (500) Days of Summer. :p Ooh, Nights of Cabiria is a great one. So are the other two, but Cabiria is so wonderful.
Kurt, I just saw Super last weekend. Cracked. Me. Up. Ellen Page was great, and yeah, loved that opening sequence. I did include a few dance-only sequences here, so the Zatoichi one could’ve fit if I’d known about it. I wanted to get some Bollywood-style in there, but, like, pretty much every Bollywood movie actually is a musical. Heh. I could’ve done the end of Slumdog Millionaire, but as enjoyable as it is, that dance is nothing to compare with actual Bollywood.
Watching the clip from Band of Outsiders makes me want to watch it again. Absolutely love that scene.
I’ve always been a fan of some of the Marx Brothers’ musical numbers if they count, mainly the piano and harp high-jinx of Chico and Harpo. OK, so they recycled the scene through most of their later releases, but I’m still a sucker for them. I can’t remember which one stood out the most though – I’d like to say the one from A Night At The Opera, but I can’t remember.
I am planning on buying some Chaplin criterion, which is better: Modern Times or The Great Dictator. I am leaning towards Dictator because of my fascination with WWII as of late, but also Jonathan had posted the monologue from it which alone makes me want to see it.
Overall, I think Modern Times is better (his masterpiece, to my mind), but The Great Dictator is also excellent. You can’t really go wrong with either.
Another great musical number is Rosie Perez in the opening of Do The Right Thing.
David, like this one? (From A Day at the Races)
Exactly. I think this is the one I remember best actually. Being a pianist myself I love to watch Chico play and Harpo is just a joy to behold anyway.
God this makes me want to get some of my Marx Brothers DVD’s out right now.
It’s pretty amazing how Chico can make just playing the piano (and well!) hilarious.
And of course there’s this one. Can’t believe I totally ignored these guys! (I also left off Marlene Dietrich, but mostly because it was difficult to find high-quality clips online.)
Oh yeah – good call. Not the best Marx Bros film, but a wonderful scene. Definitely getting my box set out over the weekend
Number one. Cool Hand Luke. Plastic Jesus.
Great post Jandy…The Naked Kiss choice is brilliant. And The Madison almost goes without saying.
If you like the Zatoichi dance scene, track down Takeshi Kitano’s follow-up film as a director – 2005′s “Takeshis’”. It’s the first of his trilogy of films that breaks down his artistic process, but it’s wonderfully silly and, for me, hugely enjoyable. Those main male dancers in the Zatoichi dance scene appaer again and do some similar dancing but extend it into a terrific 3 man number. And there’s also a huge dancing caterpillar, so that’s gotta count for something.
Seijun Suzuki will toss in dance and musical numbers at the drop of a hat. The scenes in the montage are from “Detective Bureau 2-3: Go To Hell Bastards” and Jo shishido hams it up nicely with the sprakly red dress woman. You can find tons of that stuff through yakuza films…
Not to mention Film Noir – so many of them have a club scene or two with a singer or some dancing girls. Le Samourai has some club crooning and there’s also Rififi with the title track being sung.
Right now though, I can’t get past how adorable Anna Karina is in the Madison scene. And how great Legrand’s music is.
Oh, and Cabiria’s dance is what inspired my montage in the first place. When I started thinking about using that Galactic song, there was no other image that came to mind for that particular section than her joyful dancing.
Did i miss something where is Band of Outsiders? Should be somewhere in the top 3.
Good call on Plastic Jesus, some big omissions here.
Band of Outsiders is a “bonus” one at the end. I didn’t want to include two Godard clips in the main list, and wanted to call attention to the lesser-known one. But I couldn’t bear to leave out Band of Outsiders altogether.
My list isn’t meant to be comprehensive. I left off a lot I love to keep it to fifteen and allow room for discussion as people offer their favorites. I actually haven’t seen Cool Hand Luke, but now that I’ve seen that scene (thanks to Jonathan and a few people elsewhere), I agree, great moment.
Good list, but I’d include, “Always Look At The Bright Side of Life” from Monty Python’s “Life of Brian” or “Camptown Ladies” from Blazing Saddles.
Cool, thanks Bob, I’m going to check that out.
You guys are right, Zatoichi is more a dance number, but it is one I love. I actually rewound the film twice after fist watching it so I could see that part again. Caught me off guard in a good way.
What about Dancer in the Dark? I guess you could almost call that entire film a musical, but I love this part in-particular: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-15u6J_PmT8&feature=related
I just noticed you had Mullholland Drive’s scene right after the Naked Kiss scene. What a perfect duo, both eery and creepy, to me anyway, but in very different ways.
“Camptown Ladies” makes me laugh out loud EVERY time.
Love that Dancer In The Dark scene as well Keith – since there are several musical scenes, I probably wouldn’t have included that one in particular in this list, but it’s still excellent. I remember the first time I saw it, about 20 seconds in I thought “this is not working…” and then another 30 seconds later “this is great!”. A lot of that movie worked that way with me…
Lilly Von Schtup’s “I’m tired” from Blazing Saddles. always a favorite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-pmpgrYQgs
the “MONEY – Why do you only like Rich People” musical number in $ellOut is really really good. I also like the dual Karaoke scene in Lost in Translation. Further, everyone seeing Aimee Mann “One is the Loneliest Number” is excellent in Magnolia. Willow’s song in WICKER MAN is excellent if you can forgive the bad body doubling. A strong second to the close of The Life of Brian. There are some great moments in BLACK SNAKE MOAN with Samuel Jackson.
I’m sure there are more. This exercise was quite fun though.
Also, Justin Timberlakes lip synch to the Killers kicks ass in SOUTHLAND TALES.
YES…. Sell Out! was filled with awesome song numbers. Kind of ashamed I had forgotten those.
On Dancer in the Dark (It’s probably safe to classify that one as a musical, even if is a very much unconventional one!)…but my favourite Number from that one is Bjork + Peter Stormare on the train. WONDERFUL musical moment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYkfB2xO3s
I cant find any of the song sequence from Sell out! online, but there is a few part in the trailer that have bits from the songs. Also the very last scene in the trailer has what the director thinks about people who make musicals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX5Jv0Rt9PI
What about “Wise Up” from Magnolia?