FILM PROGRAM
 
World Music Film Today
Cine Symphony
  Music In Sight
  Theme & Variation
  Korean Music Film Today
  Jecheon Film Music Award Special
  Family Fest
  Music Short On Track
   
 
* Theme & Variation
 
In this year¡¯s¡® Theme and Variations¡¯, we have prepared a little time travel through the history of the musical film from its advent in the 1920s when technological progress inspired the Sound Film to the time when musicals was at the forefront of Hollywood cinema¡¯s golden period. From the first sound film, The Jazz Singer to the first back stage musicals, The Broadway Melody, 42nd Street and Top Hat, a number of key Hollywood musicals released up to the 1940s will be showcased in this section. In addition, a historical overview of musical films spanning it birth in the 1920s to its decline with the fall of the studio system, and its recent resurgence will be presented in documentary Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History.

 
The Jazz Singer
United States  l 1927 l 88min l Feature Musical l Alan Crosland
A Jewish Cantor, Rabinowitz is concerned and upset because his son, Jakie shows so little interest in carrying on the family's traditions and heritage. For five generations, men in the family have been Cantors in the synagogue, but Jakie is more interested in jazz and ragtime music. One day, they get into such a bitter argument that Jakie leaves home for good. Generally considered the first sound feature, The Jazz Singer, introduces one of the greatest entertainers of all time, Al Jolson during his heydays with the help of a revolutionary evolution of sound technology in the 1920¡¯
 
 
 
The Broadway Melody
United States  l 1929 l 110min l Feature Musical l Harry Beaumont
Harriet and Queenie Mahoney, a vaudeville act, come to Broadway, where their friend, Eddie needs them for his number in one of Francis Zanfield¡¯s shows. Eddie was in love with Harriet, but he falls in love with Queenie who is courted by Jock, a member of the New Yorker high society. It takes a while for Queenie to realize that she is just a toy for Jock. As for Harriet, it is not long for her to suspect Eddie¡¯s love for Queenie. Hollywood¡¯s first all-talking musical motion picture to win an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1929.
 
 
 
42nd Street
Uruguay  l 1933 l 89min l Feature Musical l Lloyd Bacon
Julian Marsh, a successful Broadway director, produces a new show, in spite of his poor health. The show is sponsored by a rich old man who is in love with the star of the show, Dorothy Brock. Unfortunately Dorothy is still in love with her old partner. On the night before the premiere, Dorothy breaks her ankle and one of the chorus girls, Peggy tries to take her place. The original film version of 42nd Street, the most popular Broadway musical since its premiere in 1980.
 
 
 
Top Hat
United States  l 1935 l 99min l Feature Musical l Mark Sandrich
An American dancer Jerry Travers is working for producer Horace Hardwick in London. Jerry demonstrates his new dance steps late one night in Horace¡¯s hotel, much to the annoyance of sleeping Dale Tremont who was lodging below. She charges upstairs to complain but end up being attracted to Jerry who also is enamored by her. Complications arise when Dale mistakes Jerry for Horace. Top Hat was the most successful film of Astaire and Rogers¡¯astonishing collaboration.
 
 
 
Meet Me in St. Louis
United States  l 1944 l 113min l Feature Musical l Vincente Minnelli
St. Louis 1903. The well-off Smith family has four beautiful daughters, including Esther and little Tootie. 17-year old Esther has fallen in love with John, the boy who has just moved in next door. The family is shocked when Mr. Smith reveals that he has been transferred to a nice position in New York, which meant that the family had to leave St. Louis and the St. Louis Fair. Meet Me in St. Louis, a romantic musical from MGM, was directed by Vincente Minnelli who met his future wife, Judy Garland on the set.
 
 
 
On the Town
United States  l 1949 l 96min l Feature Musical l Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Three sailors on a 24-hour pass - Gabey, Chip, and Ozzie - decide to soak up the sights and sounds of New York. Each one finds romance with charming girls within those 24 hours. Adapted from the Broadway stage musical in 1944 by Leonard Bernstein, On the Town is one of the freshest, most exhilarating musicals turned out by legendary musical directors Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly himself with wit and innovation. Highlights include the opening¡®New York, New York¡¯number and dazzling shots from location filming in New York City itself.
 
 
 
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History
United States  l 2008 l 109min l Documentary  l Mark McLaughlin
An entertaining and comprehensive documentary about the Hollywood musical ever produced. Hosted by Academy Award winning stage, screen and television icon, Shirley Jones, it is a celebration of song and dance beginning with the Busby Berkeley era through the first musical to win an Academy Award in more than 30 years, Chicago, and ending with the highly acclaimed box office hit Dreamgirls. The best films from every studio, every decade and the most important and influential stars are included. You¡¯ll ride the rollercoaster of the genre¡¯s dazzling heyday of success.