Can 'High School Musical 3' graduate to movie awards?
While "High School Musical 3" may not hit the right notes with all of the movie critics this weekend, it is sure to do boffo business. Already this big-screen continuation of the small-screen hit franchise has generated huge advance ticket sales. And the inevitable comparisons are already being made with that ultimate high school musical "Grease," which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
That blast from the past picked up five Golden Globe nominations for 1978. "Grease" lost the race for best comedy/musical picture to "Heaven Can Wait," whose star, Warren Beatty, edged out John Travolta as best actor. Screen newcomer Olivia Newton-John was bested by a pair of Oscar-winning veterans " Ellen Burstyn ("Same Time Next Year") and Maggie Smith ("California Suite"). And the two nominated songs from the film lost to the eventual Oscar winner, "Last Dance," from "Thank God It's Friday."
Five of the last seven Golden Globe winners for best musical or comedy have been tuners. Already this year "Mamma Mia!" has hit the mother lode of box-office gold, earning $143 million in the U.S. and $400 million more worldwide. Meryl Streep lent that frothy romp a certain gravitas and is sure to pick up a record-tying 22nd Golden Globe nod for her efforts. However, the Broadway show on which the movie was based came up short at the 2002 Tony Awards, losing all five of its bids, including best musical to "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
Compare that with the success of the original TV movie of "High School Musical," which won two Emmy Awards in 2006 — best children's program and best choreography — and picked up four other nods. The two nominated songs lost to a ditty from "Mad TV," and Kenny Orterga lost the directing race to Tom Hooper ("Elizabeth I"). However, Ortega did pick up a DGA prize for his helming. And those snooty TV critics even acknowledged the success of the show by naming it top kids program of the year.
The 2007 sequel was not the equal at the Emmys, losing both its bids — best children's program (to "Nick News" and "Classical Baby" and choreography (to "So You Think You Can Dance?"). However, "High School Musical 2" broke ratings records, and Disney is hoping that fans hungry for more of the misadventures of Troy (Zac Efron), Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) and friends will flock to their local movie theater. For those new to the phenomenon, Mary McNamara, TV critic for the Los Angeles Times, offers a helpful cheat sheet on the story.
Photo: Disney
