The Freed Unit Musical: A Love Note

As the most powerful filmmaking unit on what was arguably the most powerful studio lot during the Golden Age of cinema, Arthur Freed's illustrious 'Freed Unit' was renowned for their spectacular movie musicals. Vibrant, colorful, and charmingly escapist, these films boasted the industry's best talent in acting, singing, dancing, screenwriting, design, sound, lighting, orchestration, and scoring (especially scoring!) - and they remain among the most brilliant and beloved movies of all time.

Without further ado, here is my humble love note to The Freed Unit Musical. _______________

Films in the first portion of the video, with the exception of Easter Parade, are intentionally non-Freed Unit musicals. Featured films include:

The Band Wagon (1953)
The Barkleys of Broadway (1949)
Belle of New York (1952)
Brigadoon (1954)
Easter Parade (1949)
Good News (1947)
On the Town (1949)
Royal Wedding (1952)
Show Boat (1951)
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Summer Stock (1948)*
The Glenn Miller Story (1953)*
Three For the Show (1955)*
Til the Clouds Roll By (1946)
Wonder Man*

*denotes non-Freed Unit musical


and these films include the talent of Gene Kelly, Marge Champion, Gower Champion, Debbie Reynolds, Ann Miller, Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen, Ginger Rogers, Betty Garrett, Jules Munshin, Frank Sinatra, June Allyson, Donald O'Connor, Jane Powell, Cyd Charisse, and Joan McCracken, to name a few.

For more classic movie indulgence, visit
http://hillsclassicfilm.blogspot.com



DISCLAIMER: Everything used in this video is copyrighted by its original owner; I only fused together the two separate elements of film and music. I make no profit from this, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Freed
• Unit
• Musical
• Homage
• Gene
• Kelly
• Cyd
• Charisse
• Fred
• Astaire
• Arthur
• Ginger
• Rogers
• Ann
• Miller
• Marge
• Champion

[RaggedyAnn717]

I think the song is Blue October's "Calling You". Great choice!

Love the video, but I have to ask--Why include the non-Freed musicals?

[claraquick]

Good question! I felt there was a distinct contrast between the first portion of the song, before the Vera-Ellen jump - the intro to the video - and the second part, the extended chorus. I wanted to highlight that break in the song's pace by juxtaposing videos that matched: in the first part, the visual images are slow, romantic, and void of much movement, while the Freed videos, which are introduced when the chorus takes over, are vibrant, colorful, and very spirited. Hope that makes sense!

[sami205]

I was a very lucky man wonderful Vera-Ellen was a friend of mine for 20 years prior to her untimely death. I loved her and I miss her to this day.........Bill Dennington

[CharmedLassie]

Exceptional homage!

[jnolan1361]

@sami205

Hi, I'm trying to get a message to Bill Dennington, friend of Vera-Ellen. If this is mis-directed, I apologize. 

If not, Mr. Dennington, I wanted to ask if you've written anything about your wonderful friend, or plan to? I would add my encouragment to that project. I admit to wanting to feel that she was happy in her last decades of life. Anyway, she seems to have had a good friend in you, and I'm glad of that.

SIncerely,

John Nolan

[MickeyLovesJudy]

They also used to call it Freed's Fairy Unit and we cant forget the talented judy garland!!

[MickeyLovesJudy]

They also used to call it Freed's Fairy Unit

[johanjbr]

good.!!!!!

[johanjbr]

good........

[MultiNational3Fish]

You've made a beautiful video, the choice of music is unexpected, but very fitting. This one became my favorite, thank you!

[coriebratter]

Beyond Love!

[sami205]

luvshermoosic.....yes Vera-Ellen was a real sweetheart, and very natural. I have some wonderful photographs with her at her home in the 60's and 70's. By the way not matter what you've heard she NEVER WAS ANOREXIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[luvshermoosic73]

Wow!! that is so cool! I wish i could have met all of my favorite stars from the old movies! i bet vera-ellen was just as sweet in person, wasn't she? :)