Hey Cassettes and welcome back to ANOTHER episode of The Black Case Diaries! Last week, we started our two-part saga on the making of Chicago, the hit 2002 movie musical. We covered the real-life history behind the film and some of the behind-the-scenes aspects as well. Today, we’re continuing our deep dive on Chicago by covering the film’s actors, songs, reception, and more!
Read MoreIt’s safe to say that in the late 90s, movie musicals weren’t as popular as they were in the 1940s and 50s. It had been decades since the likes of Gene Kelly and Ginger Rogers danced across the screen, and there was a shared perception among Hollywood that modern audiences were no longer interested in the genre. In fact, some would go as far as to say that it was dead.
But in the early 2000s, movie musicals made a place for themselves in the American zeitgeist once more, and among them was one of the most successful and celebrated Broadway-to-film adaptations of all time: Chicago. Based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago is an endlessly entertaining satire that highlights the problem with celebrity worship and corruption in the criminal justice system. It’s packed with musical numbers inspired by vaudeville and the music of the jazz age, performed by an incredibly talented cast that seemed to fit their roles like a glove.
