BIMA celebrates musicals in latest smARTfilm series
Published 8:16 am Thursday, September 8, 2016
The song does not remain the same throughout the latest smARTfilm series at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, as each week’s cinematic selection celebrates a different sonically inclined silver screen staple.
Musicals are a divisive genre, with passionate devotees and a likewise outspoken audience of abstainers. Some installments in the genre remain among the most beloved films of all time, classics in every sense, while others drag along and practically challenge the viewer to see it through to the credits. From the greatest of these melodious movies, BIMA officials have selected a stellar six for the latest smARTfilm series, which begins with the Marx Brothers classic “Animal Crackers” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
The 1930 comedy classic stars the four famously funny brothers — Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo Marx — along with Lillian Roth and Margaret Dumont.
In it, shenanigans and mayhem ensue after a priceless painting goes missing during a fancy party being thrown in honor of the return of the famous African explorer Captain Spaulding (Groucho).
The film includes some of the cunning comedian’s greatest quips:
“One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know.”
“Then we tried to remove the tusks, … but they were embedded in so firmly, we couldn’t budge them. Of course, in Alabama the Tusk-a-loosa. But that’s entirely ir-elephant to what I was talking about.”
“We took some pictures of the native girls, but they weren’t developed. But we’re going back again in a couple of weeks.”
While maybe not a musical in the strictest sense, being perhaps more akin to a vaudeville variety act in structure, the film does include several musical numbers, including: “He’s One of Those Men,” “Hooray for Captain Spaulding,” “Hello,I Must Be Going,” “I’m Daffy Over You” and “My Old Kentucky Home.”
The series continues on Tuesday, Sept. 27 with “Gold Diggers of 1933.”
Based on an Avery Hopwood play, the 1933 film is actually the remake of a 1923 silent movie and a 1929 original “talkie” version.
In it, chorus girls Polly, Carol and Trixie are excited to learn that Broadway producer Barney Hopkins is putting on a new show. He promises them all parts and even hires their neighbor Brad Roberts, an unknown composer, to write some of the music.
There’s only one problem.
He doesn’t have the money to bankroll it.
Turns out, though, that Brad is actually rich and finances the production, but he insists that he not perform. When opening night comes, the juvenile lead can’t go on, forcing Brad to take the stage and save the day.
The film’s iconic musical numbers include: “We’re in the Money,” “Pettin’ in the Park,” “The Shadow Waltz” and “Remember My Forgotten Man.”
The series’ next film, screening on Tuesday, Oct. 4, is the 1935 Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers romp “Top Hat.”
In the most financially successful film in the storied Astaire/Rogers partnership, Astaire plays an American dancer who comes to London to star in a show and meets and attempts to woo Dale Tremont (Rogers). It features eight musical numbers, including “No Strings (I’m Fancy Free),” “Isn’t This a Lovely Day (to be Caught in the Rain),” “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,” “Cheek to Cheek” and more.
The featured film on Tuesday, Oct. 11 will be “Stormy Weather.”
The 1943 film stars Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and is largely based on his actual life. He plays a talented dancer who returns home in 1918 after fighting in World War I and tries to pursue a career as a performer. Along the way he meets a beautiful singer named Selina.
The musical highlights include “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Cab Calloway leading his band in his composition “Jumpin’ Jive,” and a lengthy performance of the title song.
“On the Town” will play on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
This 1949 musical stars Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, and was ranked 19th on the American Film Institute’s list of best musicals. In it, three sailors on a single day of shore leave in New York City look for fun and romance before their free time runs out. Musical highlights include: “New York, New York,” “Come Up to My Place,” “You’re Awful,” “On the Town” and others.
The series will conclude with the immortal classic “West Side Story” on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
A loose reimagining of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliette,” this 1961 musical was nominated for 11 Academy Awards. It won 10, including Best Picture and became the record holder for the most wins for a movie musical.
Rival street gang warfare interferes with budding romance in the New York of the 1950s as the Jets and Sharks prepare for a grand rumble to decide control of the neighborhood.
Among the movie’s many seminal songs are “Maria,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty,” “Somewhere” and “Cool,” among others.
An optional dinner at BIMA Bistro will also be offered, at an additional cost to the film tickets. Come early for dinner in the Bistro and stay late for a facilitated discussion about the evening’s film.
And, if you really want to be transported, be sure to attend the special opening night screening of “Animal Crackers” with special guest and renowned Groucho impersonator Frank Ferrante.
Tickets are on sale now. A series pass for all six films costs $50 (dinner not included). Admission to each film individually is $10 per person. Visit www.biartmuseum.com to purchase.
Dinner seatings start at 5, auditorium doors open at 7 and the movies begin at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
Must-see musicals
What: A musical-themed series of film screenings.
When: Tuesdays, Sept. 20 through Oct. 25.
Where: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
Admission: A series pass for all six films costs $50 (BIMA Bistro dinner reservations are encouraged, cost not included). Admission to each individual film is $10 per person. Visit www.biartmuseum.com to purchase tickets.
