Here’s the News: The Movie Musical Is <i> Not</i> Dead

What is truly disturbing is that so many top-flight Broadway musicals (and revivals) are fading away with no film versions to preserve or enhance them, namely “City of Angels,” “Company,” “Promises, Promises,” “Chicago,” “On the Twentieth Century,” “La Cage aux Folles,” “Follies,” “No, No, Nanette” and “On Your Toes.”

On the other hand, when you see such dismal treatments of “Mame,” “A Little Night Music,” “Man of La Mancha,” “The Wiz,” “Annie” and “A Chorus Line,” is it worth the expense and trouble?

But there must be a young Stanley Donen, Charles Walters, Bob Fosse, George Sidney out there who can bring to life the best of the musical form again. After all, “West Side Story” (1961), “My Fair Lady” (1964), “The Sound of Music” (1965) and “Oliver!” (1968) all won Oscars for best picture.

R. A. LEE

Los Angeles