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Description

Rediscover the magic of Fred Astaire in Second Chorus and Royal Wedding. Marvel at the incredible dance moves of Cyd Charisse and Jane Powell in Black Tights and Delightfully Dangerous. Relive the magic of jazz legends like Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, The Dorsey Brothers, Count Basie and Sarah Vaughn. Sit back and enjoy the songs of all time greats like Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Eartha Kitt, Perry Como, Judy Garland and Dinah Shore. The Classic Musicals 50-MoviePack brings an incomparable world of song, dance and orchestration to life in a collection that offers countless hours of entertainment.

Description

SHOW BOAT (1951) A vivid and vibrant saga of riverboat lives and loves has glorious stars (Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel, Marge and Gower Champion) in Technicolor radiance, timeless Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II songs and an equally timeless outcry against racial bigotry. Like Ol' Man River, its delights just keep rollin' along. ANNIE GET YOUR GUN Betty Hutton (as Annie Oakley) and Howard Keel (as Frank Butler) star in this sharpshootin' funfest an Oscar winner for adaptation scoring based on the Broadway smash boasting Irving Berlins beloved songs, including Doin' What Comes Naturally, I Got Lost in His Arms and the anthemic There's No Business like Show Business. SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS The perfect marriage of song and dance! Backwoods boys inspired by romance and the lure of hot biscuits raid the local town for brides. Un-uh: The would-be brides insist the fellas first become respectable! Howard Keel and Jane Powell head a leaping whoop for joy in this exuberant Oscar winner. KISS ME KATE When squabbling ex-married's Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel are cast as squabbling Renaissance romantics in a musical The Taming of the Shrew, life imitates art, art imitates life and it all proves no musical comedy imitates this backstage/onstage delight from the Broadway hit with 14 peerless Cole Porter songs. It's all Too Darn Hot!

Turner Classic Movies' Greatest Classic Films Collection: Broadway Musicals collects four movies on two double-sided discs, with top picture quality and the bonus features that appeared on disc 1 when one of those films was released on a two-disc set, or the features that appeared on the single discs of the other three. The four films here aren't really Broadway musicals, but rather movies that were (with one exception) based on material originally created for the Broadway stage. Show Boat was one of the earliest shows in the modern-musical era, and this 1951 adaptation (the third, following versions in 1929 and 1936) stars familiar MGM players Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel, and others in Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's Southern epic, featuring "Ol' Man River," "Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine," and more. Annie Get Your Gun (1950) stars Bettie Hutton (in a role intended for Judy Garland) as a spunky Western gal who gives Howard Keel all he can handle, and features such Irving Berlin standards as "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Anything You Can Do," and "Doin' What Comes Naturally." Grayson and Keel return again in Kiss Me Kate (1953), as life imitates art in a production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, and the Cole Porter songs include "Wunderbar" and "So in Love." The exception is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), one of MGM's greatest original creations that was itself adapted for the stage years later. Keel woos Jane Powell to become his wife--and mother figure for his six brothers. Hilarity and much dancing ensue (especially in Michael Kidd's rousing barn number), and the Gene de Paul-Johnny Mercer songs include "Bless Yore Beautiful Hide," "Wonderful Wonderful Day," and "Spring, Spring, Spring." Bonus material on the two-sided discs is relatively plentiful for the TCM Classics series since only one of the movies had been released on a two-disc set: you lose Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' alternate cut and some supplemental material, but you still get director Stanley Donen's commentary track plus some trailers, shorts, and other material for the other three movies. --David Horiuchi

Description

Follow over 100 years of song, dance, and magic on "the Great White Way" with this six-part PBS series that chronicles the evolution of the American musical theatre, from the days of George M. Cohan and the Ziegfeld Follies, through Rodgers and Hammerstein's landmark "Oklahoma!," to "Fiddler on the Roof," "A Chorus Line," "Cats," and "The Producers." An all-star cast of notables--including Mel Brooks, Carol Channing, Betty Comden, Al Hirschfeld, Nathan Lane, Stephen Sondheim, and Ben Vereen--is featured in interviews, along with rare film footage, TV performance clips, and more. Hosted by Julie Andrews. 6 hrs. total on three discs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; featurette; bonus footage.

Like its fellow PBS series Ken Burns' Jazz, Broadway: The American Musical is an ambitious and absorbing exploration of a unique American art form that has always been best experienced in live performance. Hosted and narrated by Julie Andrews, the six-part, six-hour documentary traces the history of musical theater from its roots in vaudeville, operetta, and minstrel shows, to the dawn of what would become the modern American musical, Show Boat, and on through many changes that seemed to reflect those in American culture itself. Significant creators discussed include Florenz Ziegfeld, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Bob Fosse, and David Merrick, and notable shows (Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Company, Cats, and recent hit Wicked, among others) are analyzed through performance clips and interviews with songwriters, stars, directors, producers, critics, and historians. The series' most obvious weakness is its use of only brief excerpts of the performances--no song is heard in full. The sheer scope of the series no doubt played a part in that, as well as complicated rights issues, but the core problem is that musical theater has always been a live medium, rarely documented and even more rarely released to the general public. The documentary's producers make do with audio recordings, still photographs, and bits of footage, often in grainy black and white. Thankfully, they resist over-relying on feature-film musicals--which look much better and are sometimes excellent (but more often mediocre) translations--and when used such footage is clearly identified. That makes it all the more frustrating, however, that almost all of the other footage is not identified, because that is what fans are less familiar with and would be most interested in. The 1950s footage looks to be mostly from TV programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show; by the 1960s we have live footage from the Tony Awards (easily identifiable by the backdrops); and the newest shows might have been shot on stage. But early Ethel Merman and other random clips are mysteries, perhaps even to the producers themselves. Because the series is designed to appeal to a general audience (again like Jazz), a lot of the information won't be new to diehard Broadway fans, but they should be especially pleased by the DVDs' bonus features, which include additional performances and about four more hours of interviews. Stephen Sondheim fans should be fascinated by footage of the composer-lyricist discussing "Someone in a Tree" at the piano, and then running through the song with original cast members of Pacific Overtures, as well as interviews of him talking about his own shows and songs (e.g., listing the songwriters he pastiched in Follies) and reminiscing about mentor Oscar Hammerstein II. Other bonus performances include vaudeville films from the Library of Congress, original-cast television performances of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "If I Loved You" (from Carousel, unfolding over 12 minutes) and "Some Enchanted Evening" (the reprise version from South Pacific), Rent's Jonathan Larson spoofing Sondheim, and two behind-the-scenes looks at Wicked. --David Horiuchi

Description

Ocean friends smile from overhead, swaying gently from side to side. Baby can enjoy the music of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart, or you can choose peaceful ocean sounds. Plays up to 12 minutes of music.

Features

• Mobile includes a fish, seahorse and a jellyfish
• Two sound selections
• Ocean sounds option
• Classical music option includes music from bach, beethoven and mozart
• To see more information click the "watch it in action" link below the main product images

Description

A completely new experience! It's Cats as you've never seen it before. Catch this exhilarating experience on video. The musical that is known all over the world will captivate you like never before.

This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than $2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium. The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory," and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots. The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory," which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theater standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from T.S. Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler

Description

Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Nat King Cole, Jane Powell, Count Basie, Lena Horne, Cyd Charisse, Perry Como. Unforgettable melodies unforgettable stars 20 unforgettable musicals! Includes All-American Co-Ed (1941), Black Tights (1962), Career Girl (1944), Doll Face (1946), The Duke Is Tops (1938), The Fabulous Dorseys (1947), Hi-De-Ho (1943), Hi Diddle Diddle (1943), Private Buckaroo (1942), Stage Door Canteen (1943) and many more on 4 DVDs. 1938-62/color-b&w/NR/fullscreen.

Features

• CLASSIC MOVIE MUSICALS: LEGENDS OF THE STAGE & SCR (DVD MOVIE)

Features

• Learn & Groove with 15 activities and over 40 songs and melodies!
• Activities provide opportunities for baby to explore with a roll, tap, slide or spin.
• Includes a variety of music styles for baby to enjoy.
• Comes with either blue or green legs to attach to table as baby grows.
• Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

Description

Recommended for babies from birth on up, the Lamaze Musical Inchworm is a plush toy that's perfect for playing and napping. Developed in conjunction with child development experts from Yale University, the Inchworm promotes mom and baby interaction, encourages tummy time fun, and supports healthy physical and sensory development. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: 20px; } table.callout { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, serif; margin: 10px; width: 250; } td.callout { height: 100 percent; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/callout-bg.png) repeat-x; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding: 10px; width: 250px; } ul.callout { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -12px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; } h5.callout { text-align: center; } img.withlink {border:1px black solid;} The Lamaze Musical Inchworm: Promotes mom and baby interaction and tummy time fun Stimulates baby's vision and auditory skills Can measure your baby up to 24 inches The Musical Inchworm is great for tummy time. View larger. Stimulates Baby's Vision and Auditory Skills When babies are first born, they see in black and white. This is why the Musical Inchworm strikes a balance between bright, high contrast patterns that help stimulate baby's vision, and bold solid colors that give baby's eyes a place to rest. Sounds like rattle, squeak, crinkle, and jingle also help stimulate and develop baby's auditory skills. Finally, the Musical Inchworm's large, friendly eyes invite baby to focus and stare at a single object, which can help calm baby while supporting healthy eye development. Child-Safe Design With its soft velour body and interesting textures to touch and chew, the Musical Inchworm is an ideal play and rest-time companion, whether baby is at home in his crib or traveling in the car. Safe and easy for little hands to hold and investigate, this toy also features an underside that measures your baby up to 24 inches. It even plays the song "If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands" when you squeeze the nose. Perhaps the most rewarding feature of the Musical Inchworm's design, however, is the bonding opportunities it offers. In fact, this toy is perfect for an interactive game of peek-a-boo--simply hide the inchworm's head underneath a blanket and then show the baby the inchworm as you say "peek-a-boo!" Bright and colorful patterns stimulate baby's vision. Baby's will be drawn to large friendly eyes the inchworm. About Learning Curve The creative force behind hundreds of award-winning toys, Learning Curve created the Lamaze Infant Development System by working in tandem with parents, babies, and childhood experts. Learning Curve understands that what matters most to parents is keeping their children healthy, happy, and safe. The company's goal is to help parents do just that by offering products for every stage of a child's development--from feeding to playing to sleeping. Learning Curve's thoroughly researched developmental toys engage children, and provide parents with peace of mind. And their care, safety, feeding and soothing products give you solutions to day-to-day needs at mealtime, bedtime, at home and on-the-go.

Features

• Plush toy perfect for playing and napping
• Plays the song if you're happy and you know it clap your hands when you squeeze the head
• Inchworm design with soft velour body
• Includes fun rattles, squeaks, crinkles and jingles with interesting textures to touch and chew, recommended for babies from birth on
• You may receive one of the following color variations, orange faced multicolored Inchworm or yellow faced multicolored Inchworm

Description

The longest-running show in the history of Broadway's Plymouth Theatre, Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical brings new life to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story of romance and the epic battle between good and evil. A whirlwind odyssey pitting man against himself is set in motion when the brilliant Dr. Jekyll's medical experiment backfires, giving life to his evil alter ego, Edward Hyde. The show won a legion of repeat visitors (dubbed by the press as "Jekkies") and spawned hit songs on the pop charts with "Someone Like You" and "This Is the Moment."

Baywatch alum David Hasselhoff stars in the dual title roles of Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical, Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse's version of Robert Louis Stevenson's gothic horror classic. The story of the brilliant scientist who uncovers the good and evil aspects of the human heart was a pay-per-view event on the Broadway Television Network, filmed on stage before a live audience. If that audience had seen a lot of Broadway shows, they probably didn't see much they hadn't seen before, but its familiar plot and accessible pop score give Jekyll and Hyde a certain appeal, especially for musical novices. Notable songs for Coleen Sexton and Andrea Rivette (as good girl Lucy and bad girl Emma, respectively) include "Someone Like You," "Once Upon a Dream," and the duet "In His Eyes." Hasselhoff cuts an imposing figure but is somewhat unsteady in such anthems as "This Is the Moment," which are tailor-made for big voices (for example, Linda Eder, Wildhorn's wife and the creator of the Lucy role). --David Horiuchi