Vincente Minnelli

 Vincente Minnelli




Cabin in the Sky (1943)

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Father of the Bride (1950)




RANKED:


3. Cabin in the Sky (1943)


Not only was 1943's "Cabin in the Sky" the directorial debut of illustrious film director Vincente Minnelli, it was also a unique film in that it featured an all-black cast of actors. Centering on an angel and devil fighting over the soul of a degenerate gambler, "Cabin in the Sky" marks a significant shift in the way the black community was portrayed on screen. Full of song and dance numbers (something would eventually be come to known for in his career), the film even got the stamp of approval from the NAACP, citing a lack of stereotypes and clichés. Although it would take a while for more all-black films, it did not take a while for the career of Vincente Minnelli to skyrocket.



2. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)


Perhaps the film that made the existence of Liza Minnelli possible, Vincente Minnelli's 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis" begins the collaboration between he and iconic Hollywood star Judy Garland. The film, based on the 1942 Sally Benson novel of the same name, centers on a large family from St. Louis as they deal with the news that their father might be packing up and taking the family to New York City. Full of singing and dancing, "Meet Me in St. Louis" and its technicolor spectacle is perhaps best known for its original songs, like "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The film became such a classic that was adapted to Broadway 45 years later, and still has revival shows to this day.




1. Father of the Bride (1950)


Although Vincente Minnelli would come to be known for his supremely popular musicals, there are several non-musical hits in his filmography that one could point to. For example, 1950's family comedy "Father of the Bride." Starring the iconic Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor in a relatively early role, the film details the frustrations and emotional complexity of being the father to a bride-to-be. Rich with comedy, the film has an incredible sentimental value that catapulted the film to the box office, becoming the highest grossing film of its year. 

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