The 10 Movie Musicals That Won a Best Picture Oscar

(Associated Press)

March 2nd marks the 50th anniversary of "The Sound of Music," one of the most beloved movie musicals of all time (and the only musical to define "fa" as "a long long way to run").

Filled with infectious melodies and memorable performances from stars Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Eleanor Parker, it's no wonder "The Sound of Music" went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture at the 38th Academy Awards. What is surprising, however, is that it was one of only 10 musicals to ever accomplish that feat — and one of the last altogether.

Learn about all 10 below, and decide for yourself if Oscar-winning musicals too few and "fa" between:

'The Broadway Melody'

The first "talkie" to win a Best Picture award (at the 2nd Academy Awards in 1929), "The Broadway Melody" starred Anita Page, Bessie Love and Charles King as performers and songwriters on the Great White Way.

'The Great Ziegfeld'

Based on the real-life career of Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., "The Great Ziegfeld" followed the story of the Broadway pioneer as he staged his famous "Ziegfeld Follies." William Powell, Luise Rainer and Myrna Loy lead the cast of this 1936 film, which took home the Best Picture honor at the 9th Academy Awards.

'Going My Way'

1944's "Going My Way" starred Bing Crosby as a golden-voiced clergyman from East St. Louis who takes a position in New York City. In addition to being one of only 10 musicals to win Best Picture, "Going My Way" is also largely considered to be one of very few comedic films to earn the Academy's highest honor.

'An American in Paris'

"An American in Paris," the Best Picture winner at the 24th Academy Awards in 1951, starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron as a pair of light-on-their-feet lovers in — you guessed it — Paris.

'Gigi'

The plot of "Gigi" concerns the unlikely courtship between Gaston, a wealthy Parisian playboy, and Gigi, the very young granddaughter of his uncle's mistress. Louis Jourdain and Leslie Caron starred in this 1958 musical (the Best Picture winner at the 31st Academy Awards), while Maurice Chevalier served as the somewhat creepy uncle/narrator.

'West Side Story'

Loosely based on William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," 1961's "West Side Story" told the tale of star-crossed lovers from opposite sides of their neighborhood. Not only did it win Best Picture at the 34th Academy Awards, but it's recognized as having the most Academy wins of any movie musical, earning 10 of the 11 awards it was nominated for.

'My Fair Lady'

Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison starred as Eliza Dolittle and Henry Higgins in 1964's "My Fair Lady." The film, which won Best Picture at the 37th Academy Awards, was actually based on a musical that itself was based on a 1938 film that itself was based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play "Pygmalion."

'The Sound of Music'

The story, scenery and songs of 1965's "The Sound of Music" have made it one of the best-loved musicals of all time. And despite mixed reviews upon release, "The Sound of Music" went on to earn the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars at the 38th Academy Awards.

'Oliver!'

1968's enthusiastically titled "Oliver!" was the musical retelling of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist." Starring Mark Lester as the titular orphan and Ron Moody as experienced thief Fagin, "Oliver!" took home the Best Picture honor at the 41s Academy Awards.

'Chicago'

Thirty-four years later at the 75th Academy Awards, director Rob Marshsall's 2002 film adaptation of "Chicago" became the next (and currently last) musical to win Best Picture. Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere lead the all-star cast.