That’s what I think musicals will come to. No backstage stories, nothing of that sort.
Meaning of the quote
The quote suggests that in the future, musicals will focus less on the behind-the-scenes stories and more on the actual performances. Minnelli believes that the audience will be more interested in the final product, the musical itself, rather than the details of how it was created. This means that musicals may become more polished and streamlined, with the emphasis on the entertainment value rather than the backstage drama.
About Vincente Minnelli
Vincente Minnelli, an acclaimed American stage and film director, is best known for his innovative and artistic musical films. He directed numerous critically acclaimed movies, including several Best Picture winners, during his prolific 50-year career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Minnelli’s personal life was also eventful, as he was briefly married to legendary actress Judy Garland, with whom he had a daughter, the famous Liza Minnelli.
More quotes from Vincente Minnelli
I allow an area for improvisation because the chemical things actors bring to stories make it not work.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
It’s the story that counts.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
But I think musicals are going to have to deal with important subjects.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
West Side Story was terribly important because of the style of the dancing and the gangs of New York.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I use colors to bring fine points of story and character.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
Dali was the great painter then and surrealism was a way of life.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
If anybody reads a story in a magazine or book, different pictures compete in their minds.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I had given up the theater and everything propelled me into entertainment. And I didn’t resist it.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
Designing Woman was written for the screen.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
Color can do anything that black-and-white can.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
Cedric Gibbons was the grand cardinal of the art department.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
But I went down to Venezuela and spend a few weeks going through jungles. It’s fantastic looking.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
Fortunately, John Houseman is a marvelous writer and he sat in on so many story conferences. He worked with Welles, you know, and he’s a marvelous man.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
We shot that in all the real places where Van Gogh worked.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
That’s what I think musicals will come to. No backstage stories, nothing of that sort.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
But surrealism is present in most of my pictures.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
In the Thirties, when I was in New York, I did the first surrealistic ballet in a show of mine.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
No, I only like whether I like the story or not, essentially see something in it that isn’t completely there.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I made three films with Douglas, two with Charles Boyer.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I always liked the Van Gogh story because I was terribly involved in that.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I learn new things all the time.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
American films are terribly popular all over the world and American movie stars are terribly important. I don’t know why.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I always have coffee without sugar, you know. Just cream.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I see wonderful films by Bertolucci, Visconti, and Fellini.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I started out to be a painter and was born into the theater.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
It’s always the story that interests me.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I’ve worked with an awful lot of people. Katy Hepburn, Spencer Tracy.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
I seem to be drawn to things that actually happen.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
The Pirate is surrealism and so, in a curious way, is Father of the Bride.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)
Nowadays the audience has changed. No one can anticipate the audience.
American stage and film director (1903-1986)