Jan 22 2019

Episode 25: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

, with special guest:

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The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

French. Charming. COLORFUL. (Did we mention colorful?)

Citizens of Jazzhandia, this week we go international with guest Melissa Kaercher who shows us THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (which neither Vinnie nor Windy had seen!).

We actually recorded this the same night as THE LAST FIVE YEARS and it made for a surprisingly eloquent double feature about the relationships of youth, and the conflict between our dreams and our needs.

The movie inspired much of the visual look of LA LA LAND, and wow – is it obvious! Much of our discussion focused on the visuals – hard to encapsulate in words – so we hope you’ll seek this out and take a look yourself.

If only for THE WALLPAPERS.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

The Wallpaper. Her dress MATCHES the WALLPAPER. (And every single room has more breath-taking Wallpaper.)

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

The WALLPAPER.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

OMG. THE. WALLPAPER.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg poster Rating: 7.8/10 (30,970 votes)
Director: Jacques Demy
Writer: Jacques Demy
Stars: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon
Runtime: 91 min
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Released: 16 Dec 1964
Plot: A young woman separated from her lover by war faces a life-altering decision.

Jan 15 2019

Episode 24: The Last Five Years

, with special guest:

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The Last Five Years

Notice how they’re looking in different directions. Foreshadowing.

This week, we explore the uniquely constructed, emotionally haunting THE LAST FIVE YEARS. If you’ve never heard of it, that’s okay. This is a theater nerd deep cut (frankly, Windy is shocked that a movie version even got made).

One of the often-mentioned “lost episodes,” we grabbed special guest star Melissa Kaercher while she was in town for Fantastic Fest.  The resulting conversation gets into a deeply psychological character study – very appropriate for this musical (but with our patented goofiness).

It’s on Netflix and we highly recommend a watch.  The music by Jason Robert Brown is excellent, Anna and Jeremy are sublimely charismatic, and the concept is an intriguing gimmick that actually does add to the emotional story.

You can’t do better and we guarantee you’ll be smiling (those are song references).  Take a listen and let us know what you think!

The Last Five Years

Yeah, this isn’t gonna end well.

The Last Five Years (2014)
The Last Five Years poster Rating: 5.8/10 (10,711 votes)
Director: Richard LaGravenese
Writer: Jason Robert Brown, Richard LaGravenese
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Jeremy Jordan, Tamara Mintz
Runtime: 94 min
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Musical
Released: 12 Feb 2015
Plot: A struggling actress and her novelist lover each illustrate the struggle and deconstruction of their love affair.

Jan 08 2019

Episode 23: Mary Poppins Returns

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Mary Poppins Returns
LOVELY

Alright, Jazz Hams, it’s an extra giddy, extra squeeful, extra-long episode this week because we all absolutely fell in love with MARY POPPINS RETURNS!

SIDENOTE: We promised to link to the Drafthouse no talking PSA featuring Lin and Emily, but it was not to be found on Youtube. Apologies!

BONUS SIDENOTE:  The BMX bikes do not have motors, that is just the spokes whirring.

EXTRA SIDENOTE: That random whirring sound you hear is Windy’s laptop fan getting excited.  Not – as Mike has theorized – an alien spaceship beaming us up.
PLAY ALONG BONUS ROUND:  Jazz hands everytime you hear the laptop fan!

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Mary Poppins Returns poster Rating: 6.7/10 (94,816 votes)
Director: Rob Marshall
Writer: P.L. Travers, David Magee, Rob Marshall
Stars: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw
Runtime: 130 min
Rated: PG
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Released: 19 Dec 2018
Plot: A few decades after her original visit, Mary Poppins, the magical nanny, returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.

Jan 01 2019

Episode 22: Mary Poppins

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Mary Poppins
Contract killer or straight-up witch?

Listeners, it is no surprise that your hosts have been anticipating the opening of MARY POPPINS RETURNS since Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda were announced. In anticipation, we’ve found a stunt virgin who has never seen the original MARY POPPINS! This week, Ashley Landavazo finally learns about all those cultural references she’s been missing, and your hosts revisit their childhoods!

Featuring Julie Andrews’ film debut (which also won her an Oscar) and Dick Van Dyke’s most outrageous accent, the movie is chockablock full of tuneful originals courtesy of Disney’s house composers, the Sherman Brothers. Almost every song is a classic, as well as an irritatingly persistent earworm (currently, I have “Sister Suffragette” stuck in my head. Again.).

Join us as we reminisce, hum a few tunes, deconstruct family dynamics, explore fan theories, and make up a few wild ones of our own. Good luck will rub off if you take a listen!

Chim Chim Cheree as performed by a pencil

Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppins poster Rating: 7.8/10 (185,985 votes)
Director: Robert Stevenson
Writer: Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi, P.L. Travers
Stars: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson
Runtime: 139 min
Rated: G
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Released: 18 Jun 1965
Plot: In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.

Dec 25 2018

Episode 21: White Christmas

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White Christmas

Songs, dancing, Edith Head gowns…who needs plot??

This week, Holiday Hams, Mike and Vinnie are exposed to that Christmas mainstay WHITE CHRISTMAS.

Directed by Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA) with costumes by Edith Head and filmed in glorious VistaVision, it’s a visual treat.  The dance numbers are lavish, and the cast is glorious. The actual plot is… good enough to keep watching for the next dance number!

This movie is an annual tradition at Windy’s house having grown up with it, but we think it’s worth a watch no matter your traditions. Snappy dialogue, engaging relationships, and tunes galore – happy holidays from Windy, Mike, and Vinnie!

 

 

White Christmas (1954)
White Christmas poster Rating: 7.6/10 (51,030 votes)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Writer: Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, Melvin Frank
Stars: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney
Runtime: 120 min
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance
Released: 05 Nov 1954
Plot: A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.

Dec 18 2018

Episode 20: Holiday Inn

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Holiday Inn

Is there a film genre for “problematic but charming”?

This week, Vinnie and Mike finally take in the seasonal classic HOLIDAY INN, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with Windy as their native guide.

It’s a standard romantic comedy love triangle, except that one-third of the triangle is crooner extraordinaire Bing, and another third is one of the best dancers of his (or any) era.

The plot serves mainly as a vehicle to get from one Irving Berlin song to the next, but along the way you get gowns by Edith Head, and snappy banter courtesy of Claude Binyon.

But.

You also get one of the most infamous blackface numbers still remembered today, as well as troubling gender politics, and even a bit of jingoistic war propaganda.  Because that’s what the holidays are all about!

There’s so much that is delightful – and there’s so much that should be seen and not forgotten – that you should take some time out to watch HOLIDAY INN.

Holiday Inn

Bing is giving some side-eye to the film tropes of 1941

Marilyn singing “Lazy”

Holiday Inn (1942)
Holiday Inn poster Rating: 7.3/10 (17,586 votes)
Director: Mark Sandrich, Robert Allen
Writer: Claude Binyon, Elmer Rice, Irving Berlin
Stars: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds
Runtime: 100 min
Rated: Passed
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Released: 04 Sep 1942
Plot: At an inn which is open only on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.

Dec 11 2018

Episode 19: Broadway Melody of 1940

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Broadway Melody of 1940

Not Picture: George Murphy because DUH

It’s a super-sized episode this week, Jazz Hams! Vinnie and Mike just couldn’t stop talking about the amazing dance numbers in BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940!

Teaming up two of the best tappers of the era, Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, the dancing is fast and light, just like the banter. The plot is as fluffy as meringue, but you’re watching for the amazing dancing anyway. Eleanor Powell doesn’t get mentioned as often as her male counterparts of the era, or even Ann Miller, which is a shame because her tapping, ballet, and gymnastics are all top notch – not to mention a smile that lights up the screen.

All the dances are beautiful, but it’s the finale “Begin the Beguine” that has made this an enduring classic.  Fred and Eleanor tapped themselves into history, and they look like they’re having the best time doing it.

Take a listen and if you can’t find the movie, at least hit up Youtube for the dances. You won’t regret it!

Eleanor in “All Ashore” – adorable and amazing!

Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)
Broadway Melody of 1940 poster Rating: 7.3/10 (2,769 votes)
Director: Norman Taurog
Writer: Leon Gordon, George Oppenheimer, Jack McGowan
Stars: Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, George Murphy
Runtime: 102 min
Rated: Passed
Genre: Musical
Released: 09 Feb 1940
Plot: Johnny Brett and King Shaw are an unsuccessful dance team in New York. A producer discovers Brett as the new partner for Clare Bennett, but Brett, who thinks he is one of the people they lent money to gives him the name of his par...

Dec 04 2018

Episode 18: Tangled

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Tangled

Stockholm Syndrome: The Musical! (but charming!)

This week, Jazz Hams, we dive into our first Disney animated musical with the charming and tuneful TANGLED!  Mike was our virgin this week, and he absolutely fell in love with Donna Murphy’s performance as Mother Gothel, and – of course – the sassy sidekicks Maximus and Pascal.

With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater (GALAVANT), the songs are catchy and clever, but it’s the gorgeous animation that really shines, even if Rapunzel’s hair might be sentient??

Mother knows best and she says to take a listen!

As Mentioned: SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF SONGS IN DISNEY MUSICALS

Little Mermaid                   5 (plus 1 reprise, and 2 forgettable chorus numbers)
Aladdin                                   5 (plus 2 reprises)
Beauty and the Beast     6 (plus 2 reprises)
Mulan                                      4
The Lion King                      5
Tangled                                   4 (plus 3 reprises!)

 

Tangled

Yep!

Tangled

Is your hair…prehensile??!

 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0398286/

Nov 27 2018

Episode 17: Kiss Me Kate

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Kiss Me, Kate

How does Tommy Rall not get higher billing than Bobby Van??!

The Fossepocalypse begins!

KISS ME KATE boasts so many amazing things (Howard Keel in striped tights! Tommy Rall defying gravity! James Whitmore as the most adorable thug ever!) that you might forget that this is also the movie that put Bob Fosse on the map.

The movie version of Cole Porter’s masterpiece, boasting some of his most clever and saucy lyrics telling the story of Shakespeare’s biting The Taming of the Shrew, Mike and Vinnie have dubbed KISS ME KATE equally as horny as ON THE TOWN (our previous high-water-mark for libido).

Making the most of the backstage-musical show-within-a-show format, Kathryn Grayson divas it up bigtime as Lilli Vanessi, typecast as the titular shrew. But Howard Keel is not to be denied his own ham sandwich as his producer/director/star Fred Graham stuffs his ego into those magnificent tights. Rounding out the main quartet are two of this era’s best dancers: Ann Miller and Tommy Rall. Tommy’s first dance break in the movie literally made Mike and Vinnie sit up and take notice.

Kiss Me, Kate

“Did someone say ham sandwich?”

And – just incidentally – this is the movie that launched Bob Fosse’s choreographic career.  NBD.

Kiss Me, Kate

Why walk when you can slither?

Take a listen and find out for yourself just how “Wonderbar” it is!

(Video links as promised:)

Chita Rivera & the Jack Cole Dancers

From This Moment On

 

Kiss Me Kate (1953)
Kiss Me Kate poster Rating: 7.0/10 (6,783 votes)
Director: George Sidney
Writer: Dorothy Kingsley, Sam Spewack, Bella Spewack
Stars: Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller
Runtime: 109 min
Rated: Approved
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance
Released: 26 Nov 1953
Plot: An ex-husband and wife team star in a musical version of 'The Taming of the Shrew'; off-stage, the production is troublesome with ex-lovers' quarrels and two gangsters looking for some money owed to them.

Nov 20 2018

Episode 16: Little Shop of Horrors

, with special guest:

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Little Shop of Horrors

Rick Moranis is so adorable, I just want to EAT HIM

This week, Jazz Hams, all three of your hosts have seen the movie, so we brought in our first “official guest” (Jennie is more a silent partner than a guest) – Kaitlin Piraro – to watch that cult favorite LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The intro sound quality (about 4 minutes) isn’t the best and we apologize. Things improve radically after the cut.

We decided to show Kaitlin the director’s cut of the movie: the ending so unpopular with test audiences that only 13% of them thought it was a good idea. That didn’t keep Kaitlin from loving it – the music, the staging, the sets, and costumes. Director Frank Oz kept the ties to the off-Broadway stage very visible, and uses all his puppetry experience to make Audrey II a fully menacing and believable villain.

Starring that adorable pokemon Rick Moranis and powerhouse singer Ellen Greene, plus a cavalcade of cameos, plus songs by Menken & Ashman, it’s delightfully dark entertainment.

Having yet another set of opinions makes this episode super-sized, so grab a snack (doesn’t have to be meat, doesn’t have to be fresh) and take a listen!

Little Shop of Horrors

Dressing up as Audrey II and Seymour – totally healthy relationship!

(Sidenote: listen for “Taye Diggity” – Windy’s pretty proud of that one)

Ellen Greene’s Broadway.com interview

Rick Moranis’ country album The Agoraphobic Cowboy

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Little Shop of Horrors poster Rating: 7.1/10 (85,775 votes)
Director: Frank Oz
Writer: Howard Ashman, Roger Corman, Charles B. Griffith
Stars: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia
Runtime: 94 min
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Musical
Released: 19 Dec 1986
Plot: A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.