From On the Town to Royal Wedding to Singin’ in the Rain, Stanley Donen revolutionized movie musicals by making them truly cinematic. Instead of being anchored to the theater stage, he tossed those anchors away and set his ambitious sights on filming a musical in the largest city in the country (impossible!), using camera work to aid the story (crazy!) and challenging old ideas. That, and the fact that he just turned 88 this month, make him our Movie Icon of April. Let’s celebrate his work together. Download Episode #131

James Cagney plays George M. Cohan in the story of the man’s life. It spans from his childhood stardom on the Vaudeville circuit through his wild success, downfall, and comeback – featuring the music that made the man a legend. “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Over There,” “Give My Regards to Broadway,” and, of course, “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

You may not recognize the name, but you should recognize the face. Another great actor lost this year.

I can see it in my head now – a blood spattered line dance of Patrick Batemans, leg kicking with chainsaws in hand to the sounds of “Hip to Be Square.”

Sounds like we found something to wash that dirty taste out of our mouths from Spider-Man 3.

It seems like this might be the most awkward adaptation to come down the pike since Carrie: The Musical. But if it’s a hit, can we expect more martial arts musicals to arrive on the Great White Way?