In my tireless journey to bring some culture to the savages -and because I’m really, really sick of Dora- I have been forcing my children to sit down and watch classic musicals. I thought it would be fun (Fun being defined as anything that doesn’t make me want to bang my head against the wall).
Before anyone gets upset, when I say ‘force’, all I mean is that I made some popcorn and invited them to watch with me. I did not use duct tape or rope; actually, I’m saving that for when they are teenagers and I want them to pay attention to sex-ed.
Enough said; here are the results:
1. The Sound of Music
Amount watched: entire movie, >10 times. Went over very well, and both children know the entire soundtrack by heart. All in all, a success. Thank you, Julie Andrews.
2. Funny Girl
Amount watched: Mendel, not at all; Isabella, the first half hour. Isabella was of the opinion that ‘Funny Girl’ wasn’t funny at all, didn’t understand the love story, and “there were not enough songs.”
3. West Side Story
Amount watched: entire movie, but reluctantly. Mendel woke up for the stabbing part, but was seriously out of sorts when the fight scenes looked like dancing, although he eventually did steal some moves. Isabella thought it was boring, with the exception of the ‘America’ song. They have requested “I never make them watch it again,” which, of course, I did not promise. Will try again later.
4. Hello Dolly
Amount watched: entire movie, multiple times. Both children learned majority of songs, and I’m afraid there was a reenactment in the living room. Probably had something to do with the cameo is Wall-E.
5. The Wiz
Amount watched: entire movie, multiple times. Big hit, repeated often. Generated lots of dancing by both kids. Mendel does not believe me when I say the scarecrow and Michael Jackson were the same person.
6. The Wizard of Oz
Amount watched: entire movie, >25 times. This one is a classic, and they love it; except for the monkeys. And the tin man. Oh, and the Munchkins, and of course, the flying witch. Actually, they spend an inordinate amount of time hiding behind pillows, but love belting out the ‘Over the Rainbow’ song.
Unfortunately has not yet translated into a general respect for Judy; tried to make Isabella watch a docu the other day about her life, but she fled the room. Also, they don’t show any interest for Andy Hardy movies; will keep ‘Babes in Arms’ on stand-by for when they change their mind. Because I know they will.
7. Victor/Victoria
Amount watched: ten minutes. They both suddenly had “other stuff” to do. Mysterious.
8. Yentl
Amount watched: Isabella stuck it out for about an hour, then said it was “stupid”. Mendel was very confused by the fact that this time, Mandy Patinkin was the good guy. Has not yet forgiven him for stealing Elmo’s blanket, and left the room in a huff.
9. My Fair Lady
Amount watched: Isabella almost made it through the entire movie, but Mendel decided she talked funny and it wasn’t worth his time. When I pointed out that this was kind of the essence of the story, he got mad.
Any suggestions on what we should see next are welcome.
Comments
Grease, Little SHop of Horrors and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 7 year old Michael was quite confused by Frankenfurtur (sp?) M "is that a boy or a girl?" Me "It's a boy." M "hmm, does he want to be a girl?" Me "No, he just likes wearing those clothes." M "Oh." stops talking as if it's all explained now, but the furrowed brow tells a different story.
I second the vote for Grease. That's a good one.
P.S. The people in my house are all also very angry with Mandy Patinkin for the blanket-stealing incident. And also, his eyebrows. (Well, okay, I'm the only one who was ever upset about the eyebrows.)
Grease it is. I know it by heart, so this should be fun. :)
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