Evolution of the Movie Musical: Love Me Tonight (1932)

Singing and dancing are immemorial forms of human entertainment, so it should come as no surprise that as soon as technology allowed synchronized sound to be added to moving pictures, movie musicals became a staple of the American movie-going diet. Join us as we explore the changing face of the American movie musical as represented by 6 films.

LOVE ME TONIGHT (1932)

This oft-overlooked musical gem from Paramount Pictures is little known today because a lot of its pre-Code sexual innuendo is so well integrated, it couldn’t easily be edited out for re-release in theatres or on television once more stringent censorship codes were implemented. Nevertheless, its cinematic innovations and influence within the industry were immense. French musical hall star Maurice Chevalier and soprano Jeanette MacDonald star in this charming fairytale free-flowing with delightful Rodgers and Hart songs including “Isn’t It Romantic?” – apparently the national anthem of France in this period!