4) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Ah, to get a little personal for a moment. This is my favorite musical ever and the most fun. Howard Kiel stars as the oldest brother of a bunch of “scruffy backwoodsmen” and he’s decided he needs a wife. And once he does, and brings her home to meet his brothers, all hell breaks loose. The brother’s too want wives and head to town on a mission of kidnapping. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers shows dancing at its athletic best, singing even better and characters as good as any in film. And Howard Kiel, in my never humble opinion, is the greatest of all Broadway and Hollywood musical comedy performers.

Furthermore, if anyone ever says my love of musicals is “unmanly,” I point to the Brothers and they invariably shut right up. It also stars some of the best dancers who’ve ever been on stage or screen like: Russ Tamblyn and Tommy Rall. Then there’s Jane Powell and Julie Newmar, what can I say that hasn’t been said about them…a lot, but I’ll restrain myself. A great plot, a great story, great actors and amazing dancing and singing, do you need anymore convincing?

I’ve always been surprised that they haven’t tried to redo the film, but then, how could they. Take a look at this dance sequence and try and tell me it doesn’t make your blood race!