The Musicals - The Pioneers

The Musical films from the early 20th century were important precursor to  the birth of Music Videos. Popular Music Videos have imitated the style of well known classic Hollywood Musicals from the 1930s to the 50s. Madonna's 1985 video for "Material Girl" is a good example. The Video, directed by Mary Lambert, was modeled on Jack Cole's staging of "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend" from the film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", directed by Howard Hawks and starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russel.