Musicals on Blu-Ray, why so few after all this time?

Not to mention all the Rodgers and Hammerstein classics; Oklahoma, Carousel, King and I, etc. etc. etc.

I am Glee-fully optimistic that some interest in the musical had been revived and we will be seeing many of these titles.

And don't forget the That's Entertainment trilogy of films is already on BD.

According to a fan of musicals at blu-ray.com Oklahoma is due out later this year or early next year....

These films can still entertain some younger audiences today. Our 8 year old daughter just loves American in Paris, and she really likes The Music Man. She remembers the lyrics to trouble in River City and sang them for us weeks after we saw the film on blu....

Hope more come out.

So far, I have An American in Paris, The Wizard of Oz and Chicago. looking for many more.

from mntwister at blu-ray.com:

"...Oklahoma was shown on Turner Classic Movies (HD) in the last day and it is high def and a beautiful new transfer, all I can say is wow, this is going to be a great Blu-ray. The sound was obviously redone, it is so much better than the DVD. Colors are crisp and clear, in fact, it is the quality of South Pacific, which I consider a 10 out of 10 for quality!"

South Pacific is another movie from this era with amazing, jaw-dropping pq. It was filmed in Todd AO, I believe, and I think they had the color seps on it. Anyway, not only a demonstration disc for blu ray, but quite a good musical. It's a war film too, so something for varied tastes...

If you like musicals, I recommend you rent or buy South Pacific.

I want 'Evita' from Disney on BD in DTS-HD MA.

 I guess nobody here is counting "Viva Las Vegas" as a musical??  

That "Music Man" Blu-ray is *fantastic* and I can't wait for "The Sound of Music"!!

I like South Pacific, but I keep hearing that the movie doesn't hold a candle to the original Broadway production (which won the Pulitzer for Drama).  I've always wondered about the stage version, which distracts me from enjoying the movie.

I've seen video clips of the original Broadway show, but have no idea whether a complete film or video recording exists.

A compete version does not exist.  The clips that you see are from a TV special honoring Rogers & Hammerstein and some numbers that were shown on Ed Sullivan Show.  Nothing can beat the experience of a live show for it is there for that moment and that moment only.  However, I think the movie version of the South Pacific is true to Rogers, Hammerstein, and Logan's view of it and filming on location opened it up so much.  It is one of my favorite movies.

Thanks, Allen.  Good to know.

Many of those on the list are Fox titles and no doubt will need some restoration to be up to snuff for Blu-Ray and many of the others are originally M-G-M and it'll be up to present owner Warner's to bring them up to Blu-Ray quality, as they have been doing ... with Wizard of Oz and American in Paris ... and no one has mentioned the beautiful restore of Gigi that's available.

I trust it was the 70mm version not the 35mm Scope version that was shot simultaneously. It is good to hear this if it was the 70mm version as the dvd transfer of this was dreadful(apart from the sound which knocked the 35mm version for six).
"South Pacific" is magnificent and highly recommended.

I don't expect Oklahoma! to make it out this year. If it makes it out next year, which I think is an anniversary year, I would be over the moon. Getting Fox to pony up one R&H musical a year on Blu is a challenge enough.I would never be so greedy as to expect two in the same quarter.

God, I'd settle for just an SD of "Lili," which MGM (or Fox or whoever) has consistently neglected to offer on DVD. Why? Fine musical.

Star in Todd-AO and one of my favorites-Hair.

A 16mm film of the original production of South Pacific was made in 1952, of the London cast, which includes Mary Martin and Muriel Smith. The film was made for archival purposes only, but it exists... and I've seen it.

It would be Warners.  They own it now.

There are very few classic Columbia/Sony's Blu Ray. It is absurd that are not yet available big hits like "Oliver!"

Nor is understood that Warner will not edit "Cabaret" (the dvd is not anamorphic!), or "My Fair Lady" in Blu Ray.

My fair lady now belongs to Paramount. But it still puzzles me why Warner won't release Cabaret in blu-ray. Not even a special edition on sd.

I'm waiting for White Christmas myself....but as pointed out above, Paramount is rather slow on the catalog titles lately.... 

Do tell!  How did it compare to the movie?

It does NOT hold a candle to the Broadway production. For one thing, whether Joshua Logan or the studio imposed this upon the film, the color filters used during the musical numbers just about kill the film. Incredibly bad, pretentious decision. The casting is also many levels below the Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza original. Those who were unable due to proximity or age to see this show might find the movie acceptable. I find it deplorable.
 

 

I'm waiting for White Christmas too...

Maybe I'm wrong, but if Paramount got the rights for the film doesn't it mean that Warners cannot release it on blu-ray? I thought that was just not a possibility.

Me too! This and Moulin Rouge, which should have had a street date announced by now, wtf? It's supposed to be out this year.

I agree with much that has been said here. 

 

And, although this film came a little before the time window discussed in the OP, I'd like to see Guys & Dolls out on Blu, too.

 

I currently have--on Blu--Chicago, Gigi, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, The Music Man, South Pacific, Sweeney Todd and The Wizard of Oz. 

 

I am very much looking forward to The Sound of Music (and Moulin Rouge).

 

It is a possibility, but Paramount has thing for Audrey Hepburn and is more than likely overjoyed to have this film added to her others.  They will eventually release My Fair Lady on Blu-ray along with a few of her other films, Breakfast At Tiffany's being another.  Eventually might mean four to five years.
 

How about

 

Annie

Little Shop of Horrors

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers