Doug Anderson's "The Hollywood Musical" Part 1

FALL 2025: THE EARLY YEARS 1930-1952

Mondays at 7:00 pm Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, Nov. 24

Tuition: $120

Part history class, part film festival, THT's Founder and Resident Director Doug Anderson guides you through the golden age of Hollywood musicals the way they were meant to be experienced: on the big screen.

Each session starts with Doug sharing insights about the studios, directors, and stars who shaped the era. Then settle in to watch one of the defining musicals of those years on the THT Rothrock Mainstage.

The 4-session Fall course will explore the early years, when Hollywood searched for ways to transfer the success of Broadway musicals into film, only to realize that film – and especially the moving camera – opened up entirely new possibilities for the musical.

THE FILMS

October 27: THE GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 (1933)

This early “backstage musical” features Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler and the astounding staging and camera work of Busby Berkeley, who reinvented the movie musical in the 1930s with 6 major films for Warner Brothers.

November 3: TOP HAT (1935)

The classic pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, who eventually made 9 films together for RKO. Music and lyrics by the incomparable Irving Berlin.

November 17: SHOWBOAT (1936)

One of the most successful transfers from Broadway to the big screen, starring Helen Morgan and Paul Robeson, with an unforgettable score by George and Ira Gershwin.

November 24: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952)

Perhaps the most thoroughly delightful film ever made, it frequently turns up on lists of The 10 Greatest American Movies. With Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds.

Coming Spring 2026:

BROADWAY ON FILM 1945-1975

February 9 – March 2, 2026
Registration opens in the new year