Screen Chronology: 1970 to Today
compiled by John Kenrick

• **** - Sensational
• *** - Good entertainment
• ** - Beats a finger in the eye
• * - You'd rather mow a lawn
• (NO stars) - Run for your life

1970

• Aristocats, The *** - Diverting animated Disney tale of felines on the loose in Paris.
• Darling Lili ** - Henry Mancini provides Julie Andrews with several fine songs, but a tedious plot involving espionage during World War I eventually sabotages this costly production.
• On a Clear Day You Can See Forever ** - The story a reincarnated woman with ESP doesn't work, but Barbara Streisand offers some fine vocal moments.
• Pufnstuf (NO stars) - Based on the TV kiddie show, this cheapie starred Oliver's screen Dodger, Jack Wild.
• Scrooge *** - Albert Finney stars in a highly entertaining musical version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
• Song of Norway (NO stars) - After an eye-popping opening montage, its all downhill in this dreadful musical bio of composer Edvard Grieg.

1971

• Bedknobs and Broomsticks *** - Angela Lansbury sparkles as a student witch defending Britain from the Nazi's during World War II. An underrated Sherman Brothers score, and some fine animation make this a winner for kinds and adults alike.
• Boy Friend, The ** - Ken Russell's uneven version of this 1920s stage spoof has its admirers, but I am not one of them.
• Fiddler on the Roof *** - Topol stars in an overly long but ultimately satisfying screen version of the long-running stage hit.
• Journey Back to Oz ** - Liza Minnelli is the voice of Dorothy in this meager animated sequel to The Wizard of Oz.
• Shinbone Alley (not seen)
• Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory *** - Eccentric and often delightful tale of a poor boy who wins a tour of a magical candy factory. 

1972

• Cabaret *** - Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey star in Bob Fosse's dark and wonderful version of Kander & Ebb's stage hit.
• Great Waltz, The (NO stars) - Moronic remake of the Johann Strauss story -- redefines "disaster."
• Lady Sings the Blues ** - Rotten screenplay, but fans of Diana Ross may enjoy her as jazz legend Billie Holiday.
• Man of La Mancha (NO stars) - Repulsive  perversion of the stage hit based on Cervantes' tale of Don Quixote. Everyone involved in this should have been publicly flogged.
• Oh! Calcutta! (not seen)
• 1776 **** - Sensational screen version of the Broadway hit about the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Most of the original stage cast is on hand and in top form.

1973

• Charlotte's Web **** - An animated gem based on the classic children's tale of spider out to save a barnyard piglet. Debbie Reynolds voices the title role, and the Sherman Brothers provide a fine score.
• Godspell ** - Victor Garber as Jesus stars in this so-so version of Stephen Schwartz's stage hit, filmed in Manhattan.
• Jesus Christ Superstar * - Webber & Rice's rock opera hit comes to the screen in an overblown, witless production.
• Lost Horizon * - One or two decent songs can't save this infamous disaster based on the Frank Capra classic -- must be seen to be believed.
• Robin Hood **** - An often underrated delight. Animated animals enact the classic tale, with a charming score by Roger Miller and a multi-starred cast of voices. 
• Tom Sawyer ** - A score by the Sherman Brothers and some charming performances, but this uneven adaptation of Twain's classic novel ultimately fails to satisfy.

1974

• Catch My Soul (NO stars) - Repulsive rock version of Shakespeare's Othello.
• Huckleberry Finn * - Harvey Korman and David Wayne (as King & Duke) are the only signs of life in this terrible sequel to the previous year's Tom Sawyer.
• Lost In the Stars ** - Uneasy adaptation of Kurt Weill's stage musical about racism in South Africa.
• Mame ** - Lucille Ball is miscast in the lead, but thanks to a stellar supporting cast this one is not nearly as bad as some critics suggest.
• Phantom of the Paradise * - Silly attempt to re-invent Phantom of the Opera in a rock setting. Paul Williams co-starred & wrote the score.
• That's Entertainment! **** - This glorious compendium of MGM scenes sparked renewed interest in classic film musicals. What a treasure trove!

1975

• At Long Last Love (NO stars) - A bunch of rich drunks meet and fall in and out of love in the 1930s while mauling a parade of Cole Porter songs. One of the worst musicals ever filmed – visual vomit.
• Funny Lady **** - Streisand stars as Fanny Brice in this delightful sequel to Funny Girl, with vintage period songs and some fine new tunes by Kander & Ebb.
• Little Prince, The ** - Stellar cast a Lerner & Loewe score can't save this dreary adaptation of the popular children's tale.
• Nashville ** - Lives are affected by a presidential campaign. Acclaimed by many, but I fail to see why.
• Old Curiosity Shop, The (aka "Mr. Quilp") *** - Anthony Newley stars in this dark, underrated Dickens-inspired musical.
• Rocky Horror Picture Show, The **** - No other film can match the "off the wall" fun in this cult classic.
• Tommy *** - An all-star cast of rock stars enliven this lavish version of The Who's rock opera.

1976

• A Star Is Born * - Barbra Streisand stars in a dreary remake, now set in the rock music world.
• Bugsy Malone ** - All-kid cast spoofs prohibition gangsters; a fun idea that eventually chokes on its own cuteness.
• First Nudie Musical, The * - A studio tries to avoid bankruptcy by filming a porn musical. Unremarkable musical numbers, mediocre story.
• Leadbelly (not seen)
• Slipper and the Rose, The ** - Lavish retelling of Cinderella has some okay Sherman Brothers songs, but is ultimately uninspired.
• That's Entertainment, Part II **** - New dance sequences by Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire enliven this excellent sequel compilation.

1977

• Little Night Music, A ** - Elizabeth Taylor stars, but this film version of Sondheim's stage hit is surprisingly clumsy and disappointing. Best moments come from Diana Rigg as the randy dragoon's long-suffering wife.   
• New York, New York *** - Martin Scorsese's only musical is too long, but some dazzling sequences make it worth sitting through – especially in the expanded home video version. Liza Minnelli is a delight as an aspiring 1940s singer, and introduces Kander & Ebb's socko title tune.
• Pete's Dragon *** - A dragon saves an orphan from misfortune in this entertaining blend of live action and Disney animation.
• Raggedy Ann and Andy (NO stars) - Terrible animated musical, based on a Broadway flop.
• Rescuers, The (not seen)
• Saturday Night Fever *** - John Travolta as a blue collar kid finding life and love in a disco.
• Scott Joplin (not seen)

1978

• American Hot Wax (not seen)
• Buddy Holly Story, The *** - Gary Busey is great in this enjoyable bio pic.
• FM (not seen)
• Grease **** - Solid adaptation of the Broadway hit about 1950s high school romance, with memorable performances by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
• I Wanna Hold Your Hand (not seen)
• Magic of Lassie, The (NO stars) - Woof.
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (NO stars) - Even classic Beatles tunes can't save this incoherent disgrace.
• Thank God It's Friday (NO stars) - Enough to make Mondays attractive.
• Wiz, The ** - Overproduced soul version of The Wizard of Oz stars Diana Ross as a middle-aged Dorothy. Fun moments, but overall a waste.

1979

• All That Jazz ** - Bob Fosse's painfully frank attempt at autobiography, ranges from fascinating to tasteless. 
• Hair *** - Fun version of the stage hit has wartime draftee Treat Williams adopted by a tribe of hippies.
• Elvis (NO stars) - Elvis deified. Clumsy despite sexy Kurt Russell in the title role.
• Rose, The *** - Bette Midler is brilliant in this tale of a tortured Janis Joplin-esque rock star. 
• Muppet Movie, The *** - Kermit & Miss Piggie lead the Muppets across America to their first big screen triumph. 

1980

• Apple, The (NO stars) - Idiotic musical about a song writing contest.
• Blues Brothers ** - John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd bring their Saturday Night Live duo to the screen in this noisy vehicle.
• Can't Stop the Music (NO stars) - All-star pop song fest, beyond awful. Gives camp a bad name.
• Fame *** - Some dynamic numbers in a fictional look at life in NY's High School of Performing Arts.
• Jazz Singer, The (NO stars) - Pop singer Neil Diamond hopelessly miscast in this ghastly remake – with Sir Laurence Olivier as his cantor father? Oy!
• Popeye (NO stars) - Robin Williams is wasted in this inept adaptation of the classic comic strip.
• Xanadu * - Incoherent spectacle stars Olivia Newton John and (heaven help him!) Gene Kelly in his final musical screen appearance.

1981

• Great Muppet Caper, The *** - The Muppets offer lots of laughs in this merry spoof of jewel heists and classic musicals.
• Pennies from Heaven ** - Some lavish lip-synched musical sequences are mired in this drab tale of unhappiness in the Great Depression. Bernadette Peters and Steve Martin star.

1982

• Annie ** - Disappointing version of the stage hit, starring a pointlessly mis-directed Carol Burnett.
• Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The ** - Some fun along the way in this weak version of the Broadway hit. Best moments are courtesy of Dolly Parton and Charles Durning.
• Grease 2 (NO stars) - As bad as a sequel can be – and that's pretty darn bad.
• Pink Floyd - The Wall * - This musical exploration of a nervous breakdown is (surprise, surprise) ultimately depressing. Based on the best-selling rock album of the same name.
• Victor/Victoria **** - Julie Andrews and Robert Preston star in this brilliant Blake Edwards musical comedy about a soprano who masquerades as a female impersonator to find stardom in 1930s Paris. The last great original musical film of the 20th Century.

1983

• Pirates of Penzance, The *** - An enjoyable romp based on the 1981 Broadway revival of Gilbert & Sullivan's classic operetta.
• Staying Alive * - Heavy-duty dance sequences and sexy John Travolta do little to justify this dreary sequel to Saturday Night Fever.

1984

• Cotton Club, The * - Studio cuts made this Prohibition-era film hard to follow. Some fine musical performers can be spotted along the way.

1985

• Chorus Line, A * - This screen version of the long-running Broadway hit is totally off the mark, ranging from weak to embarrassing.
• That's Dancing! *** - That's Entertainment sequel focuses on Hollywood's greatest dancers. Some slow spots, but overall a fun time.

1986

• Little Shop of Horrors **** - Superb adaptation of the hilarious off-Broadway hit, with a man-eating plant threatening to take over the world. The Ashman-Menken score rocks!

1989

• All Dogs Go To Heaven * - Dreary animated goop about a dog returning from the grave to redeem himself. Inspired several equally lousy sequels.
• Bert Rigby, You’re a Fool * - Robert Lindsay stars as a British coal miner with show biz aspirations, but his charm cannot overcome an otherwise lifeless film.
• Little Mermaid, The **** - Disney's spectacular adaptation of the Andersen fairy tale initiated a new golden age of animated musical film. The Oscar-winning Ashman-Menken score is pure magic.
• Mack the Knife (NO stars) - A brain dead adaptation of Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera.

1991

• For the Boys ** - Mediocre backstage plot almost saved by several energetic Bette Midler numbers.
• Beauty and the Beast **** - Disney's inspired animated version of the classic story, featuring an Oscar-winning Ashman-Menken score. One of the greatest animated musicals of all time, superb in every department.

1992

• Aladdin **** - Disney animation strikes again, with a dazzling performance by Robin Williams and an Oscar-winning Ashman-Rice-Menken score.
• Muppet Christmas Carol, The *** - Michael Caine is Scrooge in this fun Muppetized version of the Dickens classic.
• Newsies * - Disney's plans to make live-action musicals died with this one. Newsboys go to war with powerful publisher Joe Pulitzer, and the audience loses.

1993

• Nightmare Before Christmas, The *** - Bizarre but often brilliant stop-motion tale of Halloween Town's attempt to take over Christmas. Poor songs but stunning visuals – your call.
• Zero Patience (not seen)

1994

• Lion King, The *** - Disney triumphed yet again with this tale of a young lion growing up to reclaim his heritage. Tim Rice & Elton John provided the score.
• That's Entertainment! III *** - Third attempt wears the formula a bit thin, but there is still pleasure aplenty.

1995

• Arabian Knight ** - Sometimes confusing animated Alladin-esque tale.
• Pocahontas *** - Takes itself too seriously, but this lavish animated rehash of American history has its moments.

1996

• All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (NO stars) - Saccharine sequel to a saccharine original. 
• Everyone Says I Love You *** - Poor singing but tons of humor in Woody Allen's only musical.
• Evita *** - Madonna is no actress, but she does decently as the woman who dominated Argentina. Antonio Banderas is a sexy film-stealer as Che.
• Hunchback of Notre Dame, The **** - Underrated Disney masterpiece with superb Stephen Schwartz score, based on the classic Victor Hugo novel.
• James and the Giant Peach *** - Surprisingly diverting animated tale of a boy who voyages through space on a mammoth floating peach.
• Muppet Treasure Island *** - Forgettable score does not prevent this from being a fun time for the kiddies.

1997

• Anastasia ** - An excellent Ahrens-Flaherty score stuck in a so-so film fantasy about the only surviving daughter of murdered Russian Tsar.
• Hercules *** - Lots of comedy but little magic in this Disney animated feature – the score is downright weak.

1998

• Mulan ** - Political correctness makes for so-so entertainment in this animated tale of a girl who goes to war in a man's clothing.
• Prince of Egypt ** - Handsome animation is not enough to keep this retelling of the Moses story from dragging.

1999

• South Park: The Movie **** - Profane and hilarious, as the foul-mouthed shenanigans of some small town school boys lead America into a war with Canada. Spoofs everything from show biz to international politics with wicked accuracy.
• Tarzan (Disney) ** - Lovely animation and and a lousy score in this new version of the classic tale of a man raised by apes.

2000

• Fantasticks, The (NO stars) - Disgraceful, incoherent adaptation of the long running Off-Broadway hit. Don't.
• Loves Labours Lost * - Kenneth Branagh tries to spice up one of Shakespeare's weaker comedies with classic 1930s songs. Handsomely produced and well-intended, but embarrassing.
• Topsy Turvy **** - Mike Leigh's ingenious look at the birth of Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado. Historically accurate and truly delightful.

2001

• Hedwig and the Angry Inch *** - John Cameron Mitchell stars in his daring stage hit about a transsexual rock singer. Hard rock score, hard hitting film – not every musical-lover's thing, but heaven for some.
• Moulin Rouge ** - Lavish, imaginative, but ultimately frustrating tale of romance in old-time Paris. Too hyper for my taste!

2002

• Chicago **** - Ron Marshall's sensational adaptation of the Kander & Ebb stage hit, with murderous flappers seeking fame in the 1920s.
• 8 Mile * - Eminem stars as white boy trying to break into the all-black rap business. If you're into this sound you may like this one, but it is definitely not this reviewer's cup of tea.

2003

• Camp **** - A delightful look at a heady clash of lust and ambition at a performing arts summer camp for teens. Don't let the jarring opening sequence fool you -- this one is a winner.

2004

• Bride and Prejudice * - India's Bollywood take on the Jane Austen classic; loud, brash and dull.
• It's DeLovely (NO STARS) - It's DeGarbage! Grand talents Kevin Kline and Alan Corduner are left to drown in this insult to the legacy of Cole Porter, who's songs are relentlessly crucified. Hollywood must have made this one in hopes that it would bury musical films forever. 

2005

• The Phantom of the Opera * - What was pretentious on stage is all the more so on screen. Miscast stars, some delicious supporting performances, but overall bloated and dull.
• The Producers ** - Clumsy adaptation of stage hit still has its moments, but lacks excitement or cohesion.
• Rent * - Unsuccessful attempt to recapture the excitement of 1996; the material seems as time worn as the cast.
• West Bank Story ** - Middle East musical has great premise ruined by sophomoric execution.

2006

• Mrs. Henderson Presents *** - Delightful fun, with Judi Dench as a wealthy widow producing a nudie show in World War II London. Witty, touching screenplay, with endearing, campy stagings of period songs.

2007

• Across the Universe ** - Old Beatles songs recycled with bizarre visuals to tell a tedious non-love story.
• Dreamgirls *** - Stylish and highly entertaining adaptation of the stage hit.
• Hairspray **** - Surprisingly well-handled adaptation of stage hit keeps much of the fun intact with a stellar cast, whacky humor and great score.
• Naked Boys Singing ** - Minor stage revue filmed in performance -- some low-budget laughs, but not all its cracked up to be.