Back in the good old days, Hollywood always saved its top-of-the range musicals for the peak holiday seasons. That's partly why musicals like "An American in Paris", "Roman Scandals", "The Band Wagon", "The Great Caruso", "Lillian Russell", "Calamity Jane", "Little Boy Lost", "Million Dollar Mermaid", "Sabrina", "South Pacific", "That's Entertainment", "State Fair", "A Song To Remember", "Panama Hattie", "Babes on Broadway", "Rose Marie", "Destry Rides Again", "The Emperor Waltz", "Falling for You", "Footlight Parade", "Girl Crazy", "The Hollywood Revue of 1929", "The Kid from Brooklyn", "No Limit", "Rich, Young and Pretty", "Rose Marie", "Cinderella", "Animal Crackers", "Vagabond Lover", "The Happiest Millionaire", "The Road to Singapore", "Deep in My Heart", "Come On, George" and "Whoopee!" either topped the charts or came mighty close.

Of course, not all musicals were super-successful on first release. Some like "Hollywood Party", "Dancing Lady", "College Swing", "Birth of the Blues", "Fra Diavolo", "Diplomaniacs", "Little Dutch Mill", "Heat Wave", "How Do You Do?", "The Inspector General", "King Arthur Was a Gentleman", "King Creole", "It Started with Eve", "I Thank You", "Jack's the Boy", "One Night with You", "Said O'Reilly to McNab", "Princess Charming", "Give Me a Sailor" and "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" either achieved success over time or were adopted by university students.

In addition to 100 of the best "A"-grade musicals, I’ve provided reviews and complete details for 20 notable "B" contenders such as "Down Missouri Way" (an enjoyable imitation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "State Fair"), and "The Old Barn Dance" (a most agreeable Gene Autry western which manages to cram no less than ten happy songs into its 60-minute running time, including one rendered by Roy Rogers!), and "Melody for Two" (one of the best "B" movies ever made, starring James Melton and super lovely Patricia Ellis, featuring songs by Harry Warren and Al Dubin. You’ll need to keep the kids away from this one. Although made in 1937, the censors were obviously asleep. In the film’s most memorable line, Harry Hayden gives a whole new meaning to the word, "personality").