Johnny Deadline: 10 Surprise Musical Numbers in Non-Musical Films

 by JB

Is there anything better than when a character suddenly breaks into song...in a film that is not a musical? I think not.

I was spinning the new 4K Blu-Ray disc of A League of Their Own the other day (excellent film/excellent new disc) and I hit the terrific scene about halfway through the film where the audience is taken to local roadhouse, the Suds Bucket, and the film stops its narrative dead in its tracks so that Eddie Mekka and Madonna can dance for a few minutes. It’s delightful and charming. I wish more films would do this successfully, though there is no shortage of films that attempt it.

I’m looking at you Risky Business (“Old Time Rock N Roll”), 500 Days of Summer (“You Make My Dreams Come True”), First Wives Club (“You Don’t Own Me”), Hocus Pocus (“I Put a Spell on You”), Anchorman (“Afternoon Delight”), We’re the Millers (“Waterfalls”), My Best Friend’s Wedding (“I Say a Little Prayer”), or even Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (“Twist and Shout”). These musical numbers, though well-intentioned, come across as too self-conscious and snot-nosed, to my taste. Your mileage may vary.

Also, Uma Thurman and John Travolta’s wonderful dance to “You Never Can Tell” in Pulp Fiction is disqualified because it fades out mid-song. Let these two pixies dance to the whole damn thing, Tarantino! My column, my rules!

No, I am talking about full-blown musical numbers that come out of nowhere and floor the audience with their dexterity, narrative appropriateness, and zing.

1) “There is a Man” from Citizen Kane (1941)

Sure, you’ve seen super-hyphenate/bona-fide legend Orson Welles act up a storm, you may have even seen him smoke a cigar and perform a magic trick or two, but have you ever seen him DANCE?



2) “Meglio Stasera” from The Pink Panther (1963)



The amazing Fran Jeffries in what might be my favorite scene in the movie. The plot stops dead at the ski lodge for this bit of pure fun. Notice how every major character in the film, but one, gets pulled into the action. Delightful. The older man with the impressive moustache is Michael Trubshawe, who also appeared in A Hard Day’s Night the following year.

BONUS POINTS: The three and half minute sequence is so well planned, choreographed and photographed, it is comprised of only two separate shots!

FOR THOSE OF YOU UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NOT SPEAK ITALIAN:

“It Had Better Be Tonight”

[Refrain]
Meglio stasera
Baby, go, go, go
Or as we natives say, "Fa subito!"

If you're ever gonna kiss me
It had better be tonight
While the mandolins are playing
And stars are bright

If you've anything to tell me
It had better be tonight
Or somebody else may tell me
And whisper the words just right

[Refrain]

If you're ever gonna hold me
It had better be tonight
Or somebody else may hold me
They might make me feel just right

[Refrain]

For this poor Americano
Who knows little of your speech
Be a nice Italiana
And start to teach

Show me how in old Milano
Lovers hold each other, oh so tight
But I warn you, sweet paesana
But it had better be tonight

[Refrain]

3) “31 Flavors” from It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)

“Be careful of him! He’s not normal!”

4) “Anything Goes” from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)



Steven Spielberg is so adept at the style of Thirties Hollywood musicals that he even repeats one of my favorite tropes from that era. (Era.) As the musical number goes on, the performance space expands to look the size of a football field, but then “snaps back” as Willie comes forward, and we are reminded that we are still in a small nightclub. Incredible.

TRIVIA: Associate Producer Kathleen Kennedy appears as one of the background dancers.

5) “In Dreams” from Blue Velvet (1986)



A dream of dark and disturbing things...

6) “Blue Shadows on the Trail” from Three Amigos! (1986)



An unexpectedly sweet moment from a pretty uneven comedy. I love how all the animals gradually join in, and I love how all three leads can actually sing. I love how in a film full of easy irony, this scene is determined to be genuine. You also have to give this film credit for containing the “Would you say I have a PLETHORA of piñatas?” scene. This film is one big guilty pleasure from my misspent youth.

BONUS POINTS: Later in the film, co-screenwriter Randy Newman supplies the voice of the singing bush.

7) “Day-O” from Beetlejuice (1988)



The mother of all these weird, embedded tunes has got to be this twisted gem from one of Tim Burton’s best films. Who on earth conceived of having ghost possession accompanied by Calypso music? Inspired. As better minds than mine have pointed out, it’s Catherine O’Hara’s inspired performance that really sells this. Also, you gotta love the shrimp cocktail/monster hands at the end of the scene.

8) “Flying Home” from A League of their Own (1992)



This scene is a triumph of production design, art direction, costume design, choreography, and camerawork. Notice the rich greens and blues of the costumes and the fact that the only reds visible are the vivid neon signs. Beautiful. Boy, could Eddie Mekka dance.

9) “Time After Time” from Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion (1997)



Every high school reunion summed up with Orchesis choreography. My school district’s dance teams were called “Orchesis,” your mileage may vary. (The dance proper starts at the 3:00 minute mark.)

10) “Age of Aquarius” from The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)



The song that perfectly encapsulates how you feel... the first time you have sex.

Enough said.

Well, campers, those are a few of my favorites. What are yours? Feel free to comment below. I’m listening... and I cannot wait to BREAK OUT IN SONG!