Stars, Studios, and the Musical Theatre Screen Adaptation: An Oxford Handbook of Musical Theatre Screen Adaptations, Volume 3

The film musical reached its early peak in the 1920s with the advent of sound, thanks to the opportunity to synchronize moving pictures with a soundtrack. It enjoyed around thirty years of development, with landmarks such as The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, Singin' in the Rain, and Gigi showing the exciting possibilities of putting musicals on the silver screen. Stars, Studios, and the Musical Theatre Screen Adaptation: An Oxford Handbook explores how stardom and technology have affected the evolution of the genre, with chapters examining specific screen adaptations and broad issues such as music rights.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 24 April 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The advent of sound in Hollywood in the 1920s marked a significant milestone in the film musical genre, following the immense popularity of The Jazz Singer. The ability to synchronize moving images with a soundtrack perfectly complemented the musical, as the vibrant experience of song and dance drew attention to the groundbreaking technological advancement. The film musical experienced a remarkable thirty-year development streak, with iconic landmarks such as The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, Singin' in the Rain, and Gigi showcasing the endless possibilities of bringing musicals to the silver screen. The final installment, Stars, Studios, and the Musical Theatre Screen Adaptation: An Oxford Handbook, delves into the intricate relationship between stardom and technology and their impact on the evolution of the stage-to-screen musical genre. This comprehensive volume comprises three distinct volumes, each exploring different aspects of the adaptation process. Volume I: The Politics of the Musical Theatre Screen Adaptation delves into the complex dynamics and power struggles involved in bringing Broadway musicals to the big screen. It examines the political considerations, economic factors, and cultural influences that shape the adaptation process and sheds light on the challenges and opportunities faced by filmmakers and producers. Volume II: Race, Sexuality, and Gender and the Musical Screen Adaptation takes a deeper dive into the representation of race, sexuality, and gender in musical screen adaptations. It explores the ways in which these themes are portrayed, challenged, and subverted in film adaptations and examines the impact of these representations on audiences and the broader cultural landscape. Volume III: Stars, Studios, and the Musical Theatre Screen Adaptation focuses on the individuals and institutions that shape the musical theatre screen adaptation industry. It examines the roles of stars, studios, and producers in the development and production of musical films and explores the impact of their decisions and collaborations on the genre's evolution. Throughout the chapters, detailed case studies are presented, examining specific screen adaptations of Broadway favorites such as Carousel and Brigadoon. These case studies provide valuable insights into the creative process, challenges, and successes of bringing Broadway musicals to the big screen. Additionally, broader issues such as music rights. rights and their impact on the studios' approach to screen adaptations are explored, inciting lively debates and offering valuable models for future studies in the field. In conclusion, Hollywood's conversion to sound in the 1920s paved the way, way for the film musical genre to reach new heights of popularity and artistic expression. The opportunity to synchronize moving pictures with a soundtrack suited the musical in particular, as the heightened experience of song and dance drew attention to the novelty of the technological development. The film musical enjoyed around thirty years of development, with landmarks such as The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, Singin' in the Rain, and Gigi showcasing the exciting possibilities of putting musicals on the silver screen. The final of three volumes, Stars, Studios, and the Musical Theatre Screen Adaptation: An Oxford Handbook, traces how stardom and technology have affected the evolution of the genre of the stage-to-screen musical. Many chapters examine specific screen adaptations in depth, with case studies on the screen versions of Broadway favorites Carousel and Brigadoon, while others deal with broad issues such as how music rights affected how studios approached screen adaptations. Together, the chapters incite lively debates about the process of adapting Broadway for the big screen and provide models for future studies.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 140 x 209 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197663257