MUSIC MAN Among Reel 13's Classic Movie Musicals This October

Viewers may find themselves singing in the shower, and pirouetting around the house all month as Reel 13 presents a classic song-and-dance film each week in October.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, one of the American Film Institute's "Best American Musical Films," leads the month's offerings. The film - with a tuneful, Oscar-winning score by Saul Chaplin and Adolpf Deutsch, and original songs by Gene de Paul and Johnny Mercer - was honored with the 1955 Academy Award for "Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture."

That's Entertainment II treats viewers to a retrospective of famous scenes from films released by MGM from the 1930's to the 1950's. A sequel to the 1974 documentary That's Entertainment, the film highlights more obscure musical numbers from the studio's archives. It also features several newly-filmed musical interludes with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, and marks Astaire's final dancing on film.

Inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin, the Academy Award-winning film An American in Paris - with Gershwin's symphonic piece the basis for the movies climactic memorable ballet -- spotlights Kelly in one of his most acclaimed films.

Based on the 1957 Broadway musical, The Music Man won the Oscar for "Best Musical Score" and, in 2005, was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Each of these musicals is paired with an independent film including Small, Beautifully Moving Parts, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?, Putzel and The Day I Saw Your Heart.

Every Saturday night beginning at 9 p.m., viewers can catch a Hollywood Classic hosted by film historian Neal Gabler, followed by an Indie, hosted by Columbia University professor Richard Peña. The evening concludes with a Short film selected by viewers who vote for their favorite of three shorts at Reel13.org.

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"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954) Dir: Stanley Donen
When an Oregon trapper (Howard Keel) decides to marry, he and his rowdy brothers kidnap women from the town. With Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, and Jeff Richards.

"Small, Beautifully Moving Parts" (2011) Dir: Annie Howell and Lisa Robinson
A young woman comes to terms with motherhood in the age of technology. With Anna Margaret Hollyman, Josephine Clausen and Corey Deckler.

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"That's Entertainment II" (1976) Dir: Gene Kelly
Highlights from MGM musicals including Kiss Me Kate, Easy to Love, Barkleys of Broadway, Easy to Love and A Night at the Opera. With Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Dorris Day, Elizabeth Taylor, Greta Garbo and The Marx Brother among many others.

"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" (2013)Dir:Arvin Chen
A married optical-shop manager begins to question his marriage when he's attracted to a man. With Richie Ren, Mavis Fan and Lawrence Ko.

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"An American in Paris" (1951) Dir: Vincente Minnelli
An American soldier (Gene Kelly) stays in Paris after World War II to paint and falls in love with a French beauty (Leslie Caron). With Oscar Levant and Nina Foch.

"Putzel" (2012)Dir: Jason Chaet
A shy Upper West Sider falls in love with his uncle's girlfriend. With Jack Carpenter, Melanie Lynskey and John Pankow.

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"The Music Man" (1962) Dir: Morton DaCosta
A librarian (Shirley Jones) hears a sour note when a charming rogue (Robert Preston) convinces Iowa townspeople he can transform the youngsters into a first-rate marching band. Also with Buddy Hackett and Ron Howard.

"The Day I Saw Your Heart" (2011) Dir: Jennifer Devoldère
Justine flits from boyfriend to boyfriend, while her immature father secretly befriends them all. With Mélanie Laurent, Michel Blanc and Florence Loiret Caille.

WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York's public television stations. For more than 50 years, THIRTEEN has been a partner with the tri-state community, using its rich resources to inform and inspire the passionate people of New York and the world to better understand and address the issues that challenge our diverse communities.
Reel 13 is funded by the Sy Syms Foundation and the Rubin Museum of Art.
David Horn is executive producer. Bob Morris is senior producer. Colleen McHugh is associate producer.

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