Classic Musicals Collection: Broadway To Hollywood, The

Last Minute Sales & Specials

"Broadway Melody Of 1940" - The job - a career breakthrough - is supposed to go to hoofer Johnny Brett, but a mix-up in names gives it to his partner. Another example of Broadway hopes dashed? Not when Johnny is played by Fred Astaire. Sparkling Cole Porter songs, clever comedy and dance legends Astaire and Eleanor Powell make the final "Broadway Melody" (co-starring George Murphey) a song to remember. Powell's nautical "I Am The Captain" and Astaire's blissful "I've Got My Eyes On You" are more than enough to please any fan. But they're just a warm-up for the leads to tap one number into immortality: "Begin the Beguine" introduced by Frank Sinatra in "That's Entertainment!" with "You can wait around and hope, but you'll never see the likes of this again!" "High Society" - Heiress Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly) is engaged to one man (John Lund), attracted to another (Frank Sinatra) and, just maybe, in love again with her ex-husband (Bing Crosby) in this effervescent musical reinvention of Philip Barry's play "The Philadelphia Story" featuring an endlessly delightful Cole Porter score. Among "High Society's" high points: Sinatra and Celeste Holm ask "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?," Crosby and Kelly share "True Love," Der Bingle and Ol' Blue Eyes swing-swing-swingle "Well, Did You Evah?" and Crosby and Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong jive with "Now You Has Jazz." Yes, indeedy, we has! "Kiss Me Kate" - Fred and Lilly are a divorced pair of actors who are brought together by Cole Porter who has written a musical version of "The Taming Of The Shrew." Of course, the couple seem to act a great deal like the characters they play. A fight on the opening night threatens the production, as well as two thugs who have the mistaken idea that Fred owes their boss money and insist on staying next to him all night.