25. Calamity Jane (1953)

Doris Day's thigh-slappin', sarsaparilla-swiggin', sharp-shootin' Calamity Jane takes on the macho Wild West in this rousing musical about a tomboy's fight for acceptance in a man's world. This film is an absolute must for Day fans - her portrayal of Calamity is touching - she breaks like a woman, though she talks like a man - and she does the ugly duckling act beautifully. Filmed at the height of career, there is no better example of her wholesome, benign sex appeal and warm, honey infused singing voice.

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24. The Blues Brothers (1980)

Bursting with riotous energy, The Blues Brothers is an inspired mess of a musical. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as Jake and Elwood Blues who take their blues band on tour in a bid to raise enough money to save the orphanage they grew up in. A hilarious performance from Belushi, combined with appearances by James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, and a cracking blues soundtrack, assured this film the cult status it deserves. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the film's noisy, overblown sequel, which deservedly sank without trace.

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23. The King And I (1956)

Rodgers and Hammerstein took a classic Victorian story, the tale of a willful young Englishwoman sent to tutor the children of the King of Siam, added a charming score, and turned it into a hit Broadway musical. The film version, featuring powerful performances from Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, was an international success and, even today, is an irresistible watch, particularly the tearful ending.

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22. Evita (1996)

Alan Parker and Tim Rice's film adaptation of Lloyd-Webber's eponymous stage musical finally gave Madonna the chance to play the film role she felt she'd been born for (and resurrected her flagging movie career). Indeed, the singer does a creditable job in her portrayal of Eva Peron, despite the horrified reaction that her casting elicited from Argentina's diehard Peronistas. The movie's one original song, You Must Love Me, won it an Oscar, and remains, along with Madonna's rendition of Don't Cry For Me, Argentina, the most memorable musical element of the production.

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21. Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

Fantastically enjoyable dollop of musical tack-o-rama, based on the 1960 John Corman film and adapted from the successful off-Broadway stage production. It shouldn't be such a gas, but it is, largely due to its stellar comedy cast including James Belushi, John Candy, Steve Martin and Rick Moranis. And, of course, there's the giant, multi-coloured singing plant..."Feed me, Seymour".

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