Vincente Minnelli
Vincente Minnelli
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
RANKED:
5. 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.
4. 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.
3. 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.
2. The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
After the wild success of his 1951 musical "An American in Paris," Vincente Minnelli opted for a film about the Hollywood industry itself. 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful" and its central storyline is pulled right from real life inspirations of figures in Hollywood. Minnelli, when asked why he would film a movie criticizing Hollywood, replied that he felt the characters were flawed and human, which made the concept of the film far more fascinating. Centering on a writer, director, and actress who reflect on the tumultuous relationship with an iconic producer who propped them up and then abandoned them for bigger and better things, the film demonstrates the sacrifices needed to make in the business and the pieces of your soul needed to be abandoned in order to attain success.
1. An American in Paris (1951)
It's 1951. The cultural colonization of the globe by the United States is beginning to peak. Post-war nihilism is spreading across war-torn countries. What, pray tell, is the prescribed antidote to this global nihilism? The new age of the technicolor Hollywood musical, of course. The cultural beginning of this period and the film that best embodies the cultural integration of American exceptionalism across the globe is Vincente Minnelli's musical spectacle extravaganza, "An American in Paris." Once you watch the film, you'll realize why its such an asset to American cultural propaganda machine: because its charm, its zeal, and its passion for love and life are just so gosh-darn infectious. What Minnelli is able to visually construct is an elevated form of theatricality that would be reconstructed time and time again throughout 1950s and 1960s Hollywood. It is a spectacle in every way but its execution of song and dance, its romanization of its subjects, and its unabashed glee for joy is something that cannot be contained by global nihilism.
Comments
Post a Comment