Love the Movie, But

That was my first reaction to it as well, upon my first viewing in 2002. But it has since grown on me; I was quite delighted with it when it aired again this 4th, and snatches of its songs are still stuck in my head.

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Considering the fact that my 9-year-old sings some of these songs for days after we watch it (especially "He Plays the Violin"), I would have to disagree with you. I'll admit some of the songs are not ones that you find yourself singing while doing chores, like some of the other musicals you've mentioned, but I would not agree that that means they are not "memorable". I get chills every time I hear "Momma Look Sharp" and "Molasses to Rum".

I'm a big fan of oldies musicals, and I respectfully disagree. I find some of the music from 1776 not only delightful but fun to sing around the house. The tunes aren't hard, the lyrics have memorable rhymes, the songs are clever and have attitude. I habitually go around singing "piddle, twiddle and resolve", "the lees of old virginia", "he plays the violin", "cool conservative men", "sit down, john" -- oh, heck, most all of it!

However, I confess, I generally stopped singing along with musicals after Man of La Mancha. Phantom of the Opera? What part of Phantom of the Opera do you find catchy and hummable? I really want to know, 'cause I missed it. And Cats? To my ears, that was essentially a one-song score (Memory).

I'm curious, do you also sing along with Sweeney Todd? If yes, then our musical camaraderie would clearly seem to end after The Golden Era. Guess it's just one of those crazy "I say PO-TAY-TO, you say PO-TAH-TO" things, eh?

I saw 1776 on Broadway in 1970 - by the time I saw it I was familiar with the score, as I owned and listened to the Original Broadway Cast Album frequently. I haven't listened to that album in decades (it's one I've never replaced with a CD) and for some reason didn't catch up with the movie until two nights ago, when I finally got around to watching the DVD I'd purchased several months ago.

ALL of that music deemed unmemorable or 'remotely hummable' came right back to me as I watched and listened.

"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."

I'm a big fan of musicals but some do drag and get more annoying as they go on to the point you dread the next song. I watched this yesterday in its entirety ,at first shaking my head wondering how people sat through the play when it was out??

But I am a true fan of music, theater, acting, classic tv shows, ensemble show ect. With all that in me something clicked while watching this. I loved the passion of the characters when they were talking about independence and the King of England. I thought the songs were amazing. I thought the ending was amazing. I've loved Ken Howard since 'The White Shadow'. I got a kick out of the fact that at one time he was Ann Landers son-in-law. I read her column everyday and she adored him. William Daniels, Howard Da Silva, the ladies - all great. I got teary during the song about 'Momma'. I am now a fan and will buy this.

"MOJO2014"

I don't hate the songs but nothing sticks. At least after a first viewing.