Title: Classic Musicals From The Dream Factory Volume 2 (The Pirate / Words & Music / That's Dancing / That Midnight Kiss / The Toast Of New Oreleans / Royal Wedding / The Belle Of New York)
Format: DVD (7 Disc Boxed Set)
Brand: Warner Brothers
Genre: Musical, Classics
UPC: 012569795334 (The Pirate - 012569795341 / Words & Music - 012569795389 / That's Dancing - 012569795372 / That Midnight Kiss - 012569795365 / The Toast Of New Oreleans - 012569795365 / Royal Wedding - 012569795358 / The Belle Of New York- 012569795358)
Special Notes: Volume 2, Subtitles, Dolby Digital
Condition: Used
Original Release Dates: The Pirate - 1948 / Words & Music - 1948 / That's Dancing - 1985 / That Midnight Kiss - 1949 / The Toast Of New Oreleans - 1950 / Royal Wedding - 1951 / The Belle Of New York - 1952
The Pirate Summary:
It is the year 1830. In the Spanish Main, local beauty Manuela Alva, is living on the island of Calvados and dreams of falling in love with the legendary Caribbean pirate known as "Macoco", sometimes called "the black Macoco" due to his fearsome buccaneering and looting. However, her guardians, her aunt and uncle, aiming to get rich, insist that she marry Don Pedro, the town mayor, an arrogant and bullying much older man. She resigns herself to her fate but before the wedding, in nearby Port Sebastian, she meets by chance a troupe of traveling circus actors, led by the handsome Serafin. Attracted to each another but, while Serafin wants to woo Manuela, she refuses his advances claiming to be promised in marriage to Don Pedro. At the circus show, during a hypnosis act, Serafin learns that Manuela is secretly enamored of Macoco. This revelation persuades Serafin to resort to a trick to woo her. He pretends to be the famous pirate Macoco and he plays the part well, assisted by the complicity of his troupe. His performance is so well-executed that it convinces everyone, including Manuela, that he truly is Macoco the pirate. Unfortunately, it also convinces the local authorities and the visiting Spanish Viceroy that he is a wanted pirate. Serafin, masquerading as Macoco, is arrested by the Spanish troops. Despite his pleas that he only is a circus actor impersonating a pirate, he is found guilty of piracy, partly on fake evidence supplied by a fearful and jealous Don Pedro. Serafin, aka Macoco the pirate, is sentenced to death by hanging. Only a miracle can save his neck but Serafin and Manuela manage to arrange one.
Words & Music Summary:
Encomium to Larry Hart (1895-1943), seen through the fictive eyes of his song-writing partner, Richard Rodgers (1902-1979): from their first meeting, through lean years and their breakthrough, to their successes on Broadway, London, and Hollywood. We see the fruits of Hart and Rodgers' collaboration - elaborately staged numbers from their plays, characters' visits to night clubs, and impromptu performances at parties. We also see Larry's scattered approach to life, his failed love with Peggy McNeil, his unhappiness, and Richard's successful wooing of Dorothy Feiner.
That's Dancing Summary:
A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from it's orgins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s 50s and 60s up to the break dance and the music videos from the 80s.
That Midnight Kiss Summary:
In Philadelphia, the soprano Prudence Budell returns from Europe after a period of five years training in the best Europeans music schools. Her millionaire grandmother Abigail Trent Budell sponsors an opera company under the command of the famous maestro Jose Iturbi to give a chance to Prudence to lead an opera. They hire the also famous tenor Guido Russino Betelli, but Prudence does not feel comfortable with him on the stage. When Prudence accidentally sees the American-Italian truck driver Johnny Donnetti singing opera, she convinces Jose Iturbi to give a chance to Johnny. They fall in love for each other, but when Prudence visits his work to tell that he will be hired, she meets Mary and she believes Johnny is in love of his colleague.
The Toast Of New Oreleans Summary:
A snooty opera singer meets a rough-and-tumble fisherman in the Louisiana bayous, but this fisherman can sing. Her agent lures him away to New Orleans to teach him how to sing opera, but comes to regret this rash decision when the singers fall in love.
Royal Wedding Summary:
Tom and Ellen Bowen are a brother and sister dance act whose show closes in New York. Their agent books them in London for the same period as the Royal Wedding. They travel by ship where Ellen meets and becomes involved with Lord John Brindale. This causes her to miss a rehearsal. Tom (Astaire) uses the time to dance with a hat rack and gym equipment. Later Tom and Ellen attempt a graceful dance number as the ship rolls. Upon arrival Tom holds auditions and meets Anne. There is much indecision by the siblings about their romantic partners even though they are in-the-clouds. Tom dances on the walls and ceiling of his hotel room. All ends well in this light musical. By the way, there is a vaudeville-style dance number in their show that features slapstick. It's a hoot.
The Belle Of New York Summary:
In squeaky-clean New York at the turn of the century, playboy Charlie Hill falls so much in love that he can walk on air. The object of his affections is beautiful Angela Bonfils, a mission house worker in the Bowery. He promises to reform his dissolute life, even trying to do an honest day's work.