Match the Songs to the Films Trivia Quiz

Answer: 42nd Street

"42nd Street" was directed by Lloyd Bacon, with the musical numbers choreographed and directed by Busby Berkeley, whose innovative work in this field revolutionized the look of musical films.
The film starred Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler and Ginger Rogers.
The basic plot - young chorus girl takes over from injured leading lady and becomes a star - has been used so many times that it's become a cliché. However, when this film was made, it was fresh and new, and audiences at the time loved it.

Answer: Babes in Arms

At the time "Babes in Arms" was made, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were the most popular team in films. In all, they made eight films together, three of them part of the Andy Hardy series. Their biggest hits were the films directed by Busby Berkeley, of which "Babes in Arms" was the first.
As late as 2010, Mickey Rooney still spoke of the deep love that he and Judy Garland had for each other.

Answer: Cabin in the Sky

In "Cabin in the Sky", Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson plays Joe, a gambling man who is shot by the man to whom he owes money. As he lies dying, his wife prays for his soul, and he is given one more chance to atone for his sins.
The film also starred Ethel Waters as Joe's wife Petunia, and Lena Horne as Georgia Brown, a floozy sent by the Devil to tempt him.

Answer: Meet Me in St. Louis

"Meet Me in St. Louis" is one of M.G.M.'s best loved musicals. It tells the story of a well-to-do middle class American family living in St. Louis in the year leading up to the 1904 World's Fair.
Directed lovingly by Vincente Minnelli, it starred Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Leon Ames, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake and Marjorie Main.

Answer: Singin' in the Rain

'What a glorious feeling' said the publicity, and more than sixty years of audiences are still agreeing with that.
"Singin' in the Rain" was set in Hollywood at the time of the transition from silent films to talkies. It starred Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds in her first starring role, Jean Hagen and Millard Mitchell as the harassed studio head.
Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly co-directed.
Surprisingly, the film was only a modest success when it was first released, but it's one of those films whose reputation has grown over the years.

Answer: Gigi

Generally considered to be the last of the great M.G.M. musicals, "Gigi" was based on the novelette by Colette, and told the story of a young girl in turn-of-the-century Paris, who is being groomed to continue the family tradition of becoming a courtesan.
The screenplay and lyrics were by Alan J. Lerner and the music by Frederick Loewe. It was directed by Vincente Minnelli, and starred Leslie Caron in the title role, with Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Gingold and Isabel Jeans.
"Gigi" won nine Academy Awards, a record to that date, including Best Picture and Best Director. Surprisingly, it was not nominated for any acting awards, although Maurice Chevalier was given an honorary Oscar.

Answer: Damn Yankees!

"Damn Yankees!" was based on the story "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant" by Douglass Wallop. George Abbott and Douglass Wallop wrote the book and Richard Adler and Jerry Ross the music and lyrics for the hit Broadway musical, which was filmed in 1958.
The film starred Tab Hunter, with Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston repeating their roles from the Broadway production.
"Damn Yankees!" was co-directed by Stanley Donen and George Abbott.

Answer: Calamity Jane

"Calamity Jane" was a highly fictionalized account of the life of the title character and her relationship with Wild Bill Hickock. It was made by Warner Brothers to cash in on the popularity of M.G.M.'s "Annie Get Your Gun".
Doris Day, in one of her best performances, played Jane, with Howard Keel as Wild Bill. The cast also included Allyn Ann McLerie and Philip Carlson.
The film was directed by David Butler.
The song "Secret Love" won the Academy Award for Best Song.

Answer: The Band Wagon

"The Band Wagon" was one of the many superb M.G.M. musicals to be directed by Vincente Minnelli.
It starred Fred Astaire as a washed up Hollywood star who is trying to revive his career by starring in a Broadway musical written by his friends, played by Oscar Levant and Nanette Fabray, and directed by Jack Buchanan playing a character allegedly based on Orson Welles. Fred's leading lady is a world famous ballerina played by Cyd Charisse.
It's my favourite musical.

Answer: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" was loosely based on the story of the rape of the Sabine Women.
It was directed by Stanley Donen, and starred Jane Powell (her finest hour), Howard Keel, Tommy Rall, Jeff Richards, Russ Tamblyn and Julie Newmar.
The spectacular choreography was by Michael Kidd, who had also choreographed "The Band Wagon".
Surprisingly, M.G.M. considered "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" to be of far less importance than the considerably inferior "Brigadoon". History has proven them wrong.