The 1950s was a great time for film music – with studios such as MGM and Warner Bros releasing classics such as Singin’ In The Rain and the second version of A Star Is Born.
These singers have had us singing their songs for decades, from “Singin’ in the Rain” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”. Check out some of our favorite musical movies from the 1950s, ranked, and start singing along!
8. Damn Yankees (1958)
Joe Boyd (Tab Hunter), a fan of the Washington Senators baseball team, makes a deal with the devil to help his team beat the undefeated Yankees. When he becomes the amazing baseball player, Joe Hardy, and takes over a winning team, he begins to question the deal he made. Starring Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston.
7. Men Like Blondes (1953)
Beautiful actress Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) is engaged to a rich man, much to the chagrin of her father, who hires a detective to see if Lorelei is only after her son’s money. With songs like “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and “Bye Bye Baby,” the 1953 film was a hit and furthered Monroe’s legacy.
6. South Pacific (1958)
A young nurse (Mitzi Gaynor) on a South Pacific Island, during World War II, meets Frenchman Emile De Becque (Rossano Brazzi). The two eventually fall for each other, but Emile is quickly sent on a dangerous military mission.
5. Jailhouse Rock (1957)
When Vince Everett (Elvis Presley) is found guilty of murder after protecting a woman, he is sent to prison. After Vince’s cell hears him sing, he predicts that one day he will. When Everett is released from prison, he meets Peggy Van Alden (Judy Tyler), a woman who works for a record company and points Everett to become a musician.
4. A Star is Born (1954)
Starring Judy Garland as up-and-coming actress Esther Blodgett and James Mason as Norman Maine, A Star is Born is the second version of the classic film. When Norman and Esther meet and marry, he finds that Norman’s reputation is beginning to erode as he tries to deal with his drinking problem. Esther, now known as Vicki Lester with a blossoming acting career, must choose between saving her husband.
3. Gigi (1958)
Gaston (Louis Jourdan) is a playful boy with no plans to commit to one woman. When he meets Gigi (Leslie Caron, who made his film debut a few years earlier in An American in Paris), their relationship begins as a friendship., But when that changes, Gigi insists on committing to him, but he can’t. Now, Gaston must choose between his playing life and his relationship with her.
2. Funny Face (1957)
Fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) is struck by the beauty of a shy librarian, Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn), after accidentally photographing her. He believes that Jo can be a successful model and takes her to Paris for more photo shoots. The two soon begin to fall for each other, but encounter obstacles along the way.
1. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
This 1952 musical stars Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood and Debbie Reynolds as Kathy Selden. When Don and his screen partner, Lina, try to transition from silent films to ‘talkies,’ they run into trouble when their latest film becomes a musical. Although Don has a good singing voice, Lina does not, and soon his place is taken by Kathy who still wants to sing, who will record her voice. Don soon falls for Kathy while Lina becomes more and more jealous. Other actors are Donald O’Connor and Cyd Charisse.