Hollywood’s Secret Musicals: Exploring The Hidden Treasures of The Film Industry

In recent times, the landscape of entertainment has witnessed an intriguing emergence of musical elements in unexpected places. The year 2023, in particular, stood out for its unpredictable musical interludes across various mediums. For instance, ‘The Marvels’, a franchise deeply entrenched in superhero narratives, surprised audiences with a musical sequence during Carol Danvers and her team’s visit to the musical planet Aladna, where inhabitants communicate exclusively through song and dance. 

Similarly, the show Yellowjackets ventured into the realm of mini-musicals, delving into the imaginative world of Misty within a sensory deprivation tank. Even Doctor Who, known for its eclectic storytelling, introduced goblins serenading about unconventional subjects like eating babies. ‘Star Trek: Strange’ New Worlds took this fascination a step further by dedicating an entire episode to musical performances.

Also Read: A Complete List of Broadway Musicals Adapted For The Spring Season

The element of surprise in encountering musical segments within non-musical contexts is understandable and often leads to a sense of delight and intrigue among viewers. However, what was particularly notable in this era was the stealthy nature with which full-fledged movie musicals entered the scene. This stealth approach can be attributed to a deliberate strategy adopted by movie studios—a musical cover-up of sorts.

Consider the case of ‘Wonka’, a film that has been revealed to incorporate musical elements. Director Paul King characterises it as “more like a movie with songs,” hinting at a subtle approach to its musicality. The initial trailer in July, however, provided minimal clues about the musical aspect of the movie. Similarly, ‘The Color Purple’s’ trailer in May promised a fresh interpretation of the beloved classic without delving into its musical roots, derived from the Tony-winning Broadway play. Even ‘Mean Girls’, in its trailer downplayed its musical identity, opting for a subtle reveal rather than a prominent announcement.

This trend extends beyond live-action films to animated features like Netflix’s ‘Leo and Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir’, the Movie, both of which are musicals yet chose not to highlight this aspect in their promotional materials. The industry’s reluctance to showcase musicals upfront raises questions about why these productions are kept under wraps, camouflaged within drama or comedy narratives.

Jeff Gritton, a veteran in trailer editing, sheds light on this phenomenon, suggesting that studios may believe audiences have waning interest in musicals, driving them to adopt a more discreet marketing approach.

While recent successes like ‘La La Land’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’ showcased musicals prominently and triumphed, such instances are becoming rarer outside of Disney’s remakes. This shift prompts reflection on the evolving dynamics of audience preferences and the challenges musicals face in regaining prominence in contemporary entertainment landscapes.

-Sushmita Sarkar