Good rock musicals do exist

As soon as movies began to speak, they began to sing. The first acknowledged sound picture, The Jazz Singer, also was the first movie musical. Since then, there has been a slow, steady evolution of the form, reflecting the shifts in drama, dance and music that have occurred since Al Jolson's warbling version of Mammy.

• Photos

And yet rock 'n' roll, one of the past century's more significant musical moments, has by and large been ignored as a potential backbeat for movie musicals. There are few authentic rock musicals, and even fewer good ones.

Below are some of the cinema's better rock musicals, the movies that best use the power chord as a plot device:

HAIR (1979): This cinematic retelling of the Broadway hit excises some of the music and the au natural finale in favor of a story to string the songs from. The result is an earnest and artistic musical that, in 1979, might have been a little ahead of its time.

PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (1974): An oddball marriage of The Phantom of the Opera, Faust and Ziggy Stardust, this oft-forgotten movie about a disfigured songwriter and the diminutive producer that done him wrong is both silly and strange. A few choice Paul Williams tunes (he also plays the evil producer) and a generous helping of director Brian De Palma's visual acumen elevate the proceedings.

TOMMY (1975): The Who's seminal rock album Tommy, with its ready-made story and anthemic tunes, seemed a natural choice for cinematic adaptation. Well, natural with the caveat that a spaced-out musical about a deaf, mute and blind pinball wizard/religious icon might have fairly limited appeal. It's a testament to both the music and the performers involved, most notably Tina Turner, Oliver Reed and Ann-Margret, that this Ken Russell film turned out as well as it did.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (2001): Botched sex-reassignment surgery seems like an odd starting point for any musical, rock or not, but it is indeed the base on which this odd, and oddly affecting, musical is built. An unexpected combination of heartfelt storytelling and excellent rock tunes, Hedwig is a movie victimized by its own oddness.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS (1986): Most of the accolades heaped on Moulin Rouge belong to this lost gem. The first truly pop-savvy screen musical, Absolute Beginners skillfully blended cultural history, current music and stunning visual style in this still-fresh coming-of-age story.

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.