20th Century Fox Studio Musicals
This is a list of both music/musical films produced by the 20th Century Fox Studio.
There is distinction between what I term a "music film" vs. a "film musical."
A movie that fits the "music film" category is often one that features a band leader, or musical performers within a band or orchestra. Characters don't break out into song in place of regular speech. Any singing or dancing tends to take place in a nightclub, theater, or on a stage of some kind. The music itself is presented in a logical, realistic setting. Examples of a "music film" would be the biopic features "With a Song in My Heart" about real life singer Jane Froman. Another would be "Stars and Stripes Forever" about John Phillip Souza.
On the other hand, a "film musical" usually includes scenes where characters sing/or dance in place of merely speaking dialogue. Examples would be "Singin' in the Rain," "State Fair" and "The King and I."
To reiterate, "musicals" by definition are always fantasies because of these afore-mentioned elements, whereas straight "music films" can appear to be more realistic, and are often dramatic biopics of famous composers or musicians.
There is distinction between what I term a "music film" vs. a "film musical."
A movie that fits the "music film" category is often one that features a band leader, or musical performers within a band or orchestra. Characters don't break out into song in place of regular speech. Any singing or dancing tends to take place in a nightclub, theater, or on a stage of some kind. The music itself is presented in a logical, realistic setting. Examples of a "music film" would be the biopic features "With a Song in My Heart" about real life singer Jane Froman. Another would be "Stars and Stripes Forever" about John Phillip Souza.
On the other hand, a "film musical" usually includes scenes where characters sing/or dance in place of merely speaking dialogue. Examples would be "Singin' in the Rain," "State Fair" and "The King and I."
To reiterate, "musicals" by definition are always fantasies because of these afore-mentioned elements, whereas straight "music films" can appear to be more realistic, and are often dramatic biopics of famous composers or musicians.
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- DirectorHamilton MacFaddenStarsWarner BaxterMadge EvansJames DunnA little girl's (Shirley Temple) toe-tapping musical numbers uplift the nation during the Depression in this charming classic that includes Temple's rendition of "Baby Take a Bow.
- DirectorHarry LachmanStarsShirley TempleJames DunnClaire TrevorEddie Ellison is an ex-con who spent time in Sing-Sing prison. Kay marries him as soon as he serves his time. Five years later, Eddie and his ex-convict buddy Larry, have both gone straight, and Eddie and Kay have a beautiful little daughter named Shirley. However, Welch has kept a close eye on them for years. He believes in "once a criminal, always a criminal." When Eddie's employer's wife's pearls go missing, it comes out that Eddie and Larry both spent time in prison, and they're fired. Welch suspects that Eddie and Larry have something to do with the theft of the pearls. Will Welch prove that Eddie and Larry had something to do with the theft, or will the truth prevail?
- DirectorDavid ButlerStarsShirley TempleJames DunnJane DarwellAn orphaned girl is taken in by a snobbish family at the insistence of their rich, crotchety uncle, even as her devoted aviator godfather fights for custody.Shirley sings "On the Good Ship Lollipop" in this otherwise film drama.
- DirectorHenry HathawayStarsGary CooperCarole LombardShirley TempleA swindler and his girlfriend take in his young daughter, who has been living with the family of his deceased wife.
- DirectorRichard BoleslawskiStarsLawrence TibbettVirginia BruceAlice BradyAn opera prima donna leaves the Metropolitan to form her own company with Tibbett as leading man, then leaves this company too, which means Tibbett and company must carry on without her.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsShirley TempleJohn BolesRochelle HudsonWealthy Edward Morgan becomes charmed with a curly-haired orphan and her pretty older sister Mary and arranges to adopt both under the alias of "Mr. Jones." As he spends more time with them, he soon finds himself falling in love with Mary.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsShirley TempleAlice FayeGloria StuartThe daughter of a wealthy businessman becomes lost in the city while traveling to a new school, and is taken in by a pair of down-on-their-luck performers.
- DirectorLewis SeilerStarsJane WithersPinky TomlinRita HayworthPaddy O'Day is an Irish immigrant who learns on arrival in the U.S. that her mother is dead. Friends help her survive as an entertainer, and success is a good argument against the immigration officials.
- DirectorSidney LanfieldStarsAlice FayeAdolphe MenjouGregory RatoffNightclub singer Joan Warren's agent Nicky puts her into situations designed to advance her career.
- DirectorJames TinlingStarsJane WithersTony MartinLeah RayJane is the daughter of an officer in the Naval Air Service who, while putting on musical shows for the troops, uncovers a group of spies.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsShirley TempleGeorge MurphyJimmy DuranteAn orphan is provisionally adopted by the manager of a hotel populated by show-business people. The hotel's owner doesn't like the entertainers and wants the girl returned to the orphanage.
- DirectorRoy Del RuthStarsSonja HenieDon AmecheJean HersholtBandleader (Romero) and manager (Ameche) discover skater (Henie) in Norway. They become rivals after she returns with them to America.
- DirectorDavid ButlerStarsThe Ritz BrothersAl RitzHarry RitzThe Ritz Brothers go to the race track. They raise training end entrance money in a wrestling match and help a young man train the horse of his fiancée.
- DirectorDavid ButlerStarsShirley TempleLionel BarrymoreEvelyn VenableIn the post-Civil war south, a darling little girl attempts to restore the peace between her parents and her plantation owner grandfather.
- DirectorDavid ButlerStarsShirley TempleGuy KibbeeSlim SummervilleA little girl named Star lives with the lighthouse keeper who rescued her when her parents drowned. A truant officer decides she should go to boarding school, but she's rescued by relatives.
- DirectorWilliam A. SeiterStarsShirley TempleFrank MorganRobert KentDimples Appleby lives with the pick-pocket grandfather in 19th century New York City. She entertains the crowds while he works his racket. A rich lady makes it possible for the girl to go legit. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is performed.
- DirectorWilliam A. SeiterStarsShirley TempleRobert YoungAlice FayeA young girl lost in Shanghai is taken in by an American playboy and his girlfriend.
- DirectorAllan DwanStarsShirley TempleJean HersholtArthur TreacherA plucky little orphan girl gets dumped abruptly into her gruff, hermit grandfather's care, then later gets retaken and delivered as a companion for an injured girl.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsShirley TempleGeorge MurphyJimmy DuranteAn orphan is provisionally adopted by the manager of a hotel populated by show-business people. The hotel's owner doesn't like the entertainers and wants the girl returned to the orphanage.
- DirectorAllan DwanStarsShirley TempleJack OakieCharlotte GreenwoodA show-business family leaves the Great White Way and heads for a farm in New England. What results is the difficulties they have before they are accepted by the community.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsBetty GrableCarmen MirandaJohn PayneBroadway partners Vicky Lane and Dan Christy have a tiff over Christy's womanizing. Jealous Vicky takes up with her old flame and former dance partner, Victor Price, and Dan's career takes a nosedive. In hopes of rekindling their romance and getting Vicky back on the boards with him, Dan follows her to a ritzy resort in the Canadian Rockies, where she and Victor are about to open their new act. But things get complicated when Dan wakes after a bender to find that he's hired an outlandish Latin secretary, Rosita Murphy, which makes Vicky think he's just up to his old tricks again.
- DirectorGregory RatoffStarsDick HaymesVera-EllenCesar RomeroTwo pairs of lovers try to thwart an arranged marriage at Costa Rican fiesta time.
- DirectorGregory RatoffStarsMonty WoolleyJune HaverDick HaymesA tunefull account of the life of Ernest R. Ball, composer of many popular Irish songs, including the title's.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsBetty GrableRobert YoungAdolphe MenjouMusic-hall star Madeleine Marlowe leaves London engaged to the Duke of Trippingham only to find back home that Police Gazette hack Samuel A. McGee has exposed her as former burlesque queen Rosie O'Grady. To get her own back she announces that Sam is in fact her real suitor. He in turn has a song about Rosie published and something of an Irish brawl develops via his paper and her stage show.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsBetty GrableVictor MaturePhil HarrisAndy Clark discovers he was cheated out of a half interest in partner Mike's business, now a thriving dance hall in 1892 Chicago. Unable to win it back, Andy schemes to make Mike's position untenable. He also hopes to turn Ruby Summers, Mike's motor-mouthed burlesque queen, into a classier entertainer, and incidentally to make her his own. But at the last minute, Andy's revenge comes unravelled.
- DirectorErnst LubitschOtto PremingerStarsBetty GrableDouglas Fairbanks Jr.Cesar RomeroThat Lady in Ermine tells two parallel stories, both taking place in the small Mittel-European duchy of Bergamo, with one set in the 19th century and the other in the 16th.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsAlice FayeCarmen MirandaJohn PayneNan Spencer is on a boat bound for Havana which runs aground. The man sent to rescue her is engaged and she doesn't understand his disinterest. Monte Blanca is interested, to the annoyance of his girlfriend.
- DirectorH. Bruce HumberstoneJohn BrahmStarsJune HaverGeorge MontgomeryVivian BlaineA reworking of the movie "Three Blind Mice" (1938) based on the play of the same name, which in turn led to the remake, "Moon Over Miami" (1941). This version is set during the turn of the century. Three sisters from Red Bank set out for Atlantic City disguised as an heiress, her secretary and a maid, in the hope that one of them will land a rich husband.
- DirectorGregory RatoffStarsJohn PayneBetty GrableVictor MatureA boxing champ gets involved with a Broadway show and a shapely chorine...who's engaged to his new sparring partner.
- DirectorLloyd BaconStarsJeanne CrainDan DaileyOscar Levant1920's bandleader Chuck Arnold meets hometown girl Peggy at one of the band's dances and next day weds her. Though she loves him, life on the road becomes increasingly difficult for her, but it is the 1929 Crash that makes things really tough for the both of them.
- DirectorH. Bruce HumberstoneStarsSonja HenieJohn PayneJack OakieMarine James Murfin, is unaware of Icelandic customs. When he flirts with Katina, her Icelandic family take his actions as a proposal of marriage to her. Desperately wanting out, James gets his buddy to help him. Good Luck.
- DirectorSidney LanfieldStarsSonja HenieAdolphe MenjouDon AmecheAmerican theatrical manager (Menjou) discovers Henie preparing for the Olympics in Switzerland and brings her to Madison Square Garden.
- DirectorRoy Del RuthStarsSonja HenieRichard GreeneJoan DavisThe son (Romero) of a department store owner enrolls the store's sports clerk (Henie) at a university to use her as an advertisement for their fashion department. She falls for a teacher (Greene) and gets expelled.
- DirectorNorman TaurogStarsAlice FayeThe Ritz BrothersDon AmecheStarving playwright Judith Wells meets playboy writer of musicals George Macrae over a plate of stolen spaghetti. He persuades producer Sam Gordon to buy her ridiculous play "North Winds" just to improve his romantic chances, and even persuades her to sing in the sort of show she pretends to despise. But just when their romance is going well, Gordon's former flame Lulu reveals the ace up her sleeve.
- DirectorSidney LanfieldStarsSonja HenieTyrone PowerArthur TreacherA Swiss hotel's ski instructor falls in love with a man who goes skiing every morning.
- DirectorJohn BrahmStarsSonja HenieJack OakieCesar RomeroNora and her uncle get railroaded into spending the night at a broken-down hotel in Canada. After Nora falls for the handsome owner, she convinces her uncle to invest in the inn and modernize it. After the hotel opens, Nora's uncle faces financial ruin and her romance hits a snag in the form of pretty reporter.
- DirectorDavid ButlerStarsStuart ErwinPatsy KellyJack HaleyMarried coaches Slug and Bessie find hillbilly football tosser Amos and the team gets invited to the Yale Bowl.
- DirectorH. Bruce HumberstoneStarsBetty GrableJohn HarveyMartha RayeA U.S.O. singer poses as a Broadway star in order to attract a handsome war hero.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsClifton WebbRobert WagnerDebra PagetA film biography of the composer John Philip Sousa, from his early days in the Marine Corps Band through the Spanish-American War in 1898.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsBetty GrableDan DaileyDavid WayneBetty Grable and Dan Dailey are a married song and dance team who cannot have children. The movie follows the travails as they try and adopt and keep the kids they adopt while performing on their TV show.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsDon AmecheBetty GrableCarmen MirandaAn American girl on vacation in Argentina falls for a wealthy racehorse owner.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsBetty GrableDan DaileyMona FreemanIn this chronicle of a vaudeville family, Myrtle McKinley (class of 1900) goes to San Francisco to attend business school, but ends up in a chorus line. Soon, star Frank Burt notices her talent, hires her for a "two-act", then marries her. Incidents of the marriage and the growing pains of eldest daughter Iris are followed, interspersed with nostalgic musical numbers.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsYul BrynnerDeborah KerrRita MorenoA widow accepts a job as a live-in governess to the King of Siam's children.
- DirectorHenry KingStarsTyrone PowerAlice FayeDon AmecheThis send-up of ragtime song and dance begins in 1915 San Francisco when society boy Roger Grant decides to pursue popular rather than serious music.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsEthel MermanDonald O'ConnorVera-EllenWashington hostess Sally Adams becomes a Truman-era US ambassador to a European grand duchy.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsFrank SinatraShirley MacLaineMaurice ChevalierIn 1896 Paris, a female nightclub proprietor fights against the forces of public morality for the right to feature her performers doing the risqué dance, the Can-Can.
- DirectorLewis SeilerStarsVivian BlaineDennis O'KeefePerry ComoBurlesque star (Blaine) makes it in the big time.
- DirectorBusby BerkeleyStarsAlice FayeCarmen MirandaPhil BakerA soldier falls for a chorus girl and then experiences trouble when he is posted to the Pacific.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsCarmen MirandaDon AmecheWilliam BendixIn 1922, a would-be classical composer gets involved with people putting on a musical revue.
- DirectorLewis SeilerStarsVivian BlainePerry ComoHarry JamesBandleader involved in political campaign.
- DirectorLewis SeilerStarsCarmen MirandaMichael O'SheaVivian BlaineThe oddly-assorted Hart cousins--revue singer Blossom, con man Harry and machinist Chiquita (who gets radio through her teeth!)--inherit Southern plantation Magnolia Manor, which alas proves to be a "termite trap" and tax liability. Fortunately, Sgt. Rocky Fulton from a nearby army camp appears with a plan to convert the place into a hotel for Army wives but to pay bills until then, they decide to put on a show. Of course, romantic and military complications intervene.
- DirectorHenry KingStarsGordon MacRaeShirley JonesCameron MitchellFifteen years after his death, a carousel barker is granted permission to return to Earth for one day to make amends to his widow and their daughter.
- DirectorRichard FleischerStarsRex HarrisonSamantha EggarAnthony NewleyAfter the animal communicating veterinarian goes too far for his clientele, he and his friends escape their hometown to the sea in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.
- DirectorWilliam A. SeiterStarsSonja HenieMichael O'SheaMarie McDonaldDon Martin is a star hockey player with the Wildcats until he is barred from the game for hitting a referee. Through the actions of Chris, Don is able to get a job with Buzz Fletcher's ice-show as the novelty act. Chris trains with Don and he is a success, and they marry. But Gale is also interested in Don and when Don has a chance to leave and join Jack's premiere show, Gale takes him drinking. As an alcoholic, he is in no shape to skate for Jack, and Buzz has Chris do a routine. Her act is great and Jack wants her, without Don, for his ice-skating show. Don leaves her to allow her to go on to stardom.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsJeanne CrainDana AndrewsDick HaymesEach member of the Frake clan has his/her own reason for attending the annual Iowa State Fair.
- DirectorAndrew L. StoneStarsLena HorneBill RobinsonCab Calloway and His Cotton Club OrchestraThe relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African-American entertainers of the early 1900s.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsSusan HaywardRory CalhounDavid WayneA talented singer's musical career begins to soar.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsBetty GrableJohn PayneJune HaverTwo sisters from Hungary become famous entertainers in the early 1900s. Fictionalized biography with lots of songs.