laurameynell18

Hi there my names laura and i'm currently studying the representation of women in musicals for my A level. I'd really appreciate any of your thoughts on the subject, anything from Doris Day singing " a woman's work" in calamity jane to the more recent " diamonds are a girls best friend" in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin rouge.

orpheum

I suggest you watch Dames(1934)

Steve Crook

Or Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) which had the original of "Diamonds are a girl's best friend". The women are most definitely in charge
Keep a close eye on Jane Russell giving way graciously and admiringly to the new sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe

Steve

mel walton

Hello Laura
I'd like to help you but don't understand what you want. I saw every musical that Dick Powell or Bing Crosby ever made, most more than once. The only British musicals I've seen were 8 or 9 of the great Jessie Matthews which were, pretty much, 'one woman shows' . Hollywood musicals were (with exceptions, of course) boy meets girl types, stories that had been done before, with songs added which suited me, as well as millions of others; I'm a bug for swing music. The women were singers and / or dancers and, of course, chorines. You mentioned Doris Day; she was quite unusual in that she didn't work her way up the success ladder, she started at the top and never looked back. She sang, on radio, while in her teens and caught on with bands. Featured in her movie debut, 'Romance on the High Seas' she was a sensation. You may find what you want by looking up some of the Hollywood movie stars; Dinah Shore, Judy Garland, Betty Hutton, Dorothy Lamour, Shirley Ross, Kitty Carlisle,. also, the 'classical' singers who sang in the movies; Jeanette MacDonald, Rise Stevens,Lily Pons, Gladys Swarthout. If you have a specjfic question, let me know. good luck

hankoler

Have a look at "seven brides for seven brothers"or even "oklahoma", these may help with what you want .