June 6, 2001
Musicals vs. Musical films - what's a cataloger to do?
Musicals:
 Use the subject heading of musicals when entering music for theatrical
productions, principally of 20th century American or British origin, consisting of
musical numbers (songs, ensembles, and dances) integrated into a dramatic
framework.
 It's easiest to remember the term "Broadway musicals" because these are the
types that are defined above. Examples of these types of productions include My
Fair Lady, Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom
of the Opera, and Desert Song.
 Note that by this definition, Gilbert and Sullivan productions and other operettas
are not included under "musicals". Patience, H.M.S. Pinafore, Mikado, and etc.
use the subject heading of "operas".
Items being cataloged which would fall under the above definition, might include:
 Compact discs of an original cast recording to a current or former Broadway hit
(which contains all songs from the production).
 A videorecording of a staged production of a musical (for example, a PBS
videorecording of a live Broadway performance of Into the Woods) - not the
video release of a film based upon a musical.
Musical films:
 Use the subject heading of musical films when cataloging a moving image (i.e.
film, video, DVD) of the American cinematic genre that emphasizes music, song,
and dance. The plot is structured around segments featuring these. An easy
definition of "Musical films" could be Broadway on film, but the definition is
somewhat broader and covers things other than Broadway musicals on film.
Other types include backstage, comedy, rock, and musical biographies.
 Musicals on film have evolved over the years. Early film musicals (pre-World
War II) examples include The Jazz Singer, the Wizard of Oz, and Paramount on
Parade. Post war film musical examples include Singing in the Rain, Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers, and An American in Paris. More recent film musicals
include Gigi and Mary Poppins. Newer Walt Disney films (i.e. Beauty and the
Beast, Lion King, and etc.), and the Beatles' movies (i.e. Hard Day's Night, Help,
and etc.) also would fall into this category.
 Also remember the subject heading of "Music videos" - they are not "Musical
films", but are video recordings done by a musical artist, who is acting out or
showing images inspired by the song. Music videos shown on MTV or VH-1 are
these types. It does not have to be only popular music (but is usually), and could
encompass concert videos also.
Items being cataloged which would fall under the above definition of "Musical
films", might include:
 Video recordings (either VHS or DVD) of a Broadway musical that was made
into a movie or a musical originally produced for the screen.
 Video recordings of either new or previously released materials, with music as
an integral part of it, but it is not an official "musical" by terms of the definition.
Rock musicals are an excellent example of this type (but please also use the
subject heading - "Rock films").
Motion picture music and Motion picture soundtracks :
 Use the subject heading motion picture music for music composed for sound
films or performed on soundtracks.
 Use the subject heading motion picture soundtracks for unaltered motion
picture soundtracks that may include speech, sound effects, music, etc.
 Do not confuse these with "Musicals" or "Musical films" - remember
"Musicals" are stage productions captured as a sound or video recording (in this
instance) and "Musical films" are mostly "musicals" on film, either based on
previously staged musicals or musicals originally produced for film.
Items being cataloged which would fall under the above definition of "Motion
picture music" or "Motion picture soundtracks", might include:
For "Motion picture music" - a sound recording of music from a motion picture,
which could be, but is not necessarily a musical. They are musical soundtracks
(without dialogue or speech). Examples of this are Oklahoma! : original movie
soundtrack recording and Bridget Jones's diary: music from the motion picture.
 For "Motion picture soundtracks" - a sound recording of the soundtrack which
contains more than just music- also could include speech, sound effects, and etc.
An example is Music from the motion picture Pulp Fiction.
An Excerpt on when to use ‡v Excerpts:
 "‡v Excerpts" is a form subdivision used under forms and types of musical
compositions.
‡v Excerpts should be used with "Musicals" or "Musical films" when:
 The item being cataloged contains selections or highlights from one
production . Examples of this are Selections from Evita or Anastasia sing along.
 The item being cataloged is a selection or highlights from more than one
production. Examples of this are the "Best of Broadway" series and Julie
Andrews sings her favorite songs.