Hollywood musicals nominated for best picture

the long version

"This book covers all 39 Hollywood musicals nominated for Best Picture, including song-and-dance fests like 42nd Street and Top Hat; original film musicals like The Wizard of Oz; film versions of stage musicals like The Music Man and Fiddler on the Roof; and the all-animated Beauty and the Beast. It explains why each film was nominated and why the winners won, points out the influences (mostly from the stage) that guided the productions, and discusses these films' influences on succeeding films. Detailed plot descriptions are provided, along with interesting facts about the acting, direction, choreography, and orchestration; complete cast and production credits; and comments from critics."--BOOK JACKET.