These are my ten favourites.
10. A Hard Day's Night (1964)
It has a bit to be desired as a structured or compelling piece of fiction, but as an interpretation of the phenomenon that was Beatle Mania, A Hard Day's Night is oddly appropriate. The version of The Beatles that we see in the film represents everything that millions of screaming, hormonal fans imagined them to be in their offstage lives: playful, witty, mischievous, charming, and perpetually thirsty for sex. And of course, all their dialogue is extra amusing when spoken in those distinct Liverpool accents.
9. Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
Capturing the hip-swinging spirit of the early sixties with colourful visuals and a memorable song score right off Broadway, Bye Bye Birdie may be schmaltz, but it sure is fun schmaltz. It may be remembered as the film that catapulted Ann Margaret to stardom by placing her youthful sexiness front and centre, but the scene-stealers are the supporting players Paul Lynde and Maureen Stapleton, hilarious as the parents who represent the older generation's skepticism and bewilderment.
8. My Fair Lady (1964)
Despite being too long and overly stagey at times, George Cukor's elegant translation of this musical favourite by Lerner and Leowe is nevertheless a delightful movie. Rex Harrison is deliciously smarmy as the egocentric Henry Higgins (reprising his Tony Award-winning performance), and Audrey Hepburn was never lovelier than she was as the transformed Eliza Doolittle. Cecil Beaton's costume designs are among the best I've seen in any film.
7. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
This fluffy French gem from Jacques Demy never fails to bring a grin to my face and a tear to my eye. The airy music and vibrant colours beautifully evoke the romantic plot. It's little wonder that Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amelie always reminds me of this. Catherine Deneuve sparkles in one of her earlier screen roles. Sadly, Demy and his musical director Michel Legrand couldn't capitalize on any of their collective four Oscar nominations, but big deal. This is still a golden oldie if there ever was one.
6. Oliver! (1968)
The articulate music and lyrics of Lionel Bart's fabulous stage show is transposed directly to the screen in Carol Reed's 1968 film adaptation. It barely varies from Bart's original book and score, but that's probably the best way to have done it. Still, with expansive sets to work on (created by John Box and his detail-sweating set dressers), Reed is able to indulge in more imaginative staging. Ron Moody is memorable as Fagin, albeit a role that only an incompetent actor could fail to make memorable.
5. The Music Man (1962)
The premise of Willson's original show is golden to begin with – a gentle parody of small town America, community, and of a smooth-talking conman who inadvertently brings out the best in all of them with the promise of a boys band he has no intention of delivering – and is flows swimmingly on the screen. Robert Preston is a natural as the endearing shyster, but what truly brings the setting to life is the extensive supporting cast of townsfolk who we come to love for their fun personalities.
4. Funny Girl (1968)
William Wyler hadn't dabbled much in musicals throughout his storied career, but some of the moments in this, is second-to-last feature, are as stirring as the grandest moments of his gargantuan and highly laureled Ben-Hur. Few films have fully tapped the comedic and musical potential of Barbra Streisand as this one. Her Fanny Brice is an endlessly endearing character, and her performances of such numbers as “People” and “Don't Rain On My Parade” are particular highlights.
3. West Side Story (1961)
Leonard Bernstein's stylish retelling of Romeo and Juliet has always been a favourite of mine on the stage. I was relieved upon viewing Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins' cinematic take that not only did they preserve the best that the show had to offer, but managed to avoid any pitfalls of stagey-ness. Much thanks belongs to Robbins for his marvelous choreography. Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer are a sweet romantic duo impossible not to root for, making the inevitable tragic ending all the more moving.
2. The Sound of Music (1965)
Here's one of those films I've simply got to watch once a year, and with my family (watching it by one's self doesn't really work). It's also a rare example of a screen musical which far exceeds its own original stage version, elevating Rogers and Hammerstein's family trite to an essential classic. Only through the gorgeous on-location photography can director Robert Wise adequately transport us to a place so rich in culture, history, and natural beauty; who can forget that first epic zoom-in on Maria spinning atop the hillside?
1. Mary Poppins (1964)
This is a practically perfect example of what the phrase "movie magic" really means. Though most well known for his animated films, this is the crowning achievement of Walt Dinsey's career, combining all the right ingredients to make a picture that, on the whole, stands up just as well today as it did in 1964. Julie Andrews' celebrated performance as the titular nanny is one for the ages, as is Dick Van Dyke's carefree chimney sweep Bert. Composers Bob and Richard Sherman have been immortalized for the slew of upbeat and memorable songs like "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialedocious", but the true gem of their score is the more languid "Feed the Birds" which poignantly evokes the film's underlying theme through lyrical metaphor and a simply gorgeous melody.
