Musical Magic

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" became an Academy Award nominated song from the musical of the same name. In the delightful and entertaining movie, it was sung by American actor Dick Van Dyke, playing Caractacus Potts, and Sally Ann Howes, portraying Truly Scrumptious. They were joined by Heather Ripley as Jemima Potts and Adrean Hall as Jeremy Potts the children of Caractacus Potts. It is a wonderful, catchy, and sing-along kind of song.

Funny Girl (1968)

“Don’t Rain on My Parade” is a song from the musical about the Broadway star Fanny Brice. The title character was portrayed by American singer and actress Barbra Streisand, who sings this song, and who could argue with her when she sings not to rain on her parade when she has chosen to marry Nicky Arnstein, portrayed by the American actor Omar Sharif, The song was written by Bob Merrill and Jule Styne. Streisand performed it on both the stage and the screen.

Hello Dolly (1969)

“Hello Dolly” was both the title song and the title of the 1969 movie version. The music and lyrics were by Jerry Herman, and the book was by Michael Stewart, based on the 1938 farce “The Merchant of Yonkers” by Thornton Wilder. The musical tells the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi brilliantly portrayed by American singer and actress Barbara Streisand. She is a strong-willed matchmaker, traveling to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserly millionaire Horace Vandergelder, played by Walter Matthew. When Dolly returns to her favorite restaurant during all the funny mayhem of the film, the song Hello Dolly welcomes her back, and who better to be a part of it all than American jazz singer Louis Armstrong? This is among the most memorable songs from the film.

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

“The Trolley Song” the trolley might have clanged, and the girl might have fallen in love, but what makes the song is the voice of Judy Garland portraying Esther Smith. As soon as the chorus joins in, you’re ready to sing along. The movie follows the life of the Smith family over the course of one year. It was written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin.

My Fair Lady (1965)

“I Could Have Danced All Night” is a song from the musical “My Fair Lady” with music written by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner. The song was sung by the heroine Eliza Doolittle, in the movie portrayed by Audrey Hepburn, with Marni Nixon dubbing the singing voice. As she does an impromptu dance with her English tutor, Henry Higgins, portrayed by American actor Rex Harrison.

Oklahoma (1955)

“Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” is the opening song from the musical. It was written by Richard Roger and Oscar Hammerstein II. In the movie it was sung by one of the title characters, Curly McLain, portrayed by the American singer and actor Gordon MacRae, as he rode out on a lovely Oklahoma morning on his horse. The refrain runs: "Oh, what a beautiful mornin'! / Oh, what a beautiful day! / I've got a beautiful feelin'. / Everything's goin' my way."

On the Town (1949)

“New York, New York” is a wonderful song as an introduction to New York City. The musical stars three sailors portrayed by the American singer, dancer, and actor Gene Kelly, the American singer and actor Frank Sinatra, and the American singer and actor Jules Munshin. They come off their ship ready for a 24-hour leave in the Big Apple. The song was written by Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Leonard Bernstein.

The Sound of Music (1965)

This most memorable movie and the song “The Sound of Music” bring back the scene of Maria, portrayed by the American singer and actress Julie Andrews, running up the mountain in the Austrian Alps and breaking into song, “The hills are alive…” at which moment we are ready to head for the hills and break out into song as well. The song was written by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The song introduced the character Maria, a young novice in an Austrian abbey.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

“We’re Off to See the Wizard” is sung in the movie as we seen a girl, her dog, a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion heading off to the Emerald City to see the wizard. What made it most memorable was the voice of Judy Garland portraying Dorothy Gale. The movie won the Academy Award. The song was written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. “Yip” Harburg. The song occurs as a vocal three times in the film soundtrack:

As a duet, sung by Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger).

As a trio, sung by Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and the Tin Man (Jack Haley).

As a quartet sung by Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Bert Lahr (the Cowardly Lion).

Top Hat (1935)

“Cheek to Cheek” is a wonderful love song from the Irving Berlin musical Top Hat. With the brilliant dancing by American singer and actor Fred Astaire and American singer and dancer Ginger Rogers. The song became a jazz standard. The song was written by Irving Berlin for Fred Astaire. It was at number one on Your Hit Parade.