Saturday Cinema

As the Fourth of July approaches, Flicks in Five features one of James Cagney's most enduring roles, and one of his favorites. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" gave Cagney the chance to shine as a song and dance man.

As summer is now officially begun, Lynne Warfel celebrates it on this week's Saturday Cinema with scores from films that were summer blockbusters or classic summer releases.

Rodgers and Hammerstein try to top their success with "Oklahoma" when they filmed "South Pacific". Only two of the actors in the film are heard singing with their own voices.

This week on Saturday Cinema, Lynne Warfel begins with some 'trouble' in River City, then continues with music from 'The King and I', 'West Side Story' and a tribute to Fred Astaire.

Meredith Willson has written some great standard tunes in the popular repertoire, but it's the story of the con man turned good-guy by an Iowa librarian that became a classic when "The Music Man" premiered.

Lynne Warfel continues the celebration of movie musicals, staring with 'Carousel' and then looking at the music from 'Fiddler on the Roof' and others. Also, a tribute to a superstar of many musicals, Judy Garland.

Rodgers and Hammerstein were inspired by a Hungarian play about a con artist carousel barker who falls in love with a sweet, innocent local girl. The idea became 'Carousel', a Broadway and cinematic hit.

As we stand at the cusp of the month of June, Lynne Warfel celebrates movie musicals. Plus, a tribute to the late Bob Hoskins. It's all on this week's Saturday Cinema.

So close to Memorial Day, we're considering music from two Hollywood war films unified by their great music written by distinctive composer Elmer Bernstein.

A very young Paul Anka, who had a part in this big-budget movie, wrote the theme song.