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| Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 10 2009, 05:22 AM (120 Views) | |
| Laughing Gravy | Aug 10 2009, 05:22 AM Post #1 |
Revered in the UK
  ![]](http://209.85.122.85/static/1/pip_r.png)
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When I was a kid, I didn't like musicals, with a few exceptions: I loved 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and anything with Al Jolson. Oh, and this film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, with Howard Keel as Adam and Jane Powell as Milly. (And the awesome Julie Newmar as one of the brides.) I haven't seen the film in many years; my first wife AND my second wife both particularly hated it, and my memory of the darn thing is indeed that it is misogynistic and rather discomforting, plotwise (the seven women, in case ya ain't seen it, are kidnapped by the seven brothers but like it). Anyway, I saw the play in Sacramento this weekend and it pretty much matched my memory of the film: fabulous dancing, an okay score, and discomforting plot. The actor playing Adam was tough and unsympathetic; I didn't like him or the way he did the role. Jacquelyn Piro Donovan, a Broadway vet, was terrific as Milly. Oh, and the actress playing Ruth (Ruta Lee's part in the film) was far and away the most impressive female dancer on the stage; her kicks seemed to toe the rafters. I looked her up after the performance; her name is Miki Berg and she's a Radio City Music Hall Rockette, which explains a lot. In any case, I was just wondering... Any of you guys 'n' gals out there have an opinion about the movie? Like it? Don't like it? Discomforted? Just wanna see Julie Newmar? What? |
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| panzer the great & terrible | Aug 10 2009, 09:42 AM Post #2 |
Mouth Breather
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There's a black-haired girl in the movie that I'v always had a crush on, but that's not the only reason I'd call it one of the top ten musicals. Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics including what may be his very best song, "Spring, Spring, Spring." There's also a swell number called "Lonesome Polecat," and the barn raising could be the best dance number in any musical. Michael Kidd was the choreographer. On the minus side, there's one of the most jarring shots in any movie. The whole show takes place in front of painted backdrops, but then the director cuts in stock of a real avalanche. It just doesn't work. But that's my only negative. Stanley Donen directed. As for misogyny: piffle. When this movie gets shown, most of the audience are women, because there's no question that Jane Powell is the boss in the story. Everybody including her husband does what she tells them to do. There's no question that there's a sadomasochist subtext to the story, and some women are both attracted and then repelled by that, which can lead to strong words -- still in this tale there's no question that the women are in the driver's seat. If you buy it, be sure to avoid the pan-and scan version. Edited by panzer the great & terrible, Aug 11 2009, 07:09 AM.
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| We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater | |
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| CliffClaven | Aug 10 2009, 09:58 AM Post #3 |
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Balcony Gang, Foist Class
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Never cared too much for the stage version -- it tries, a bit clumsily, to add a token feminist sensibility while slavishly trying to make film bits work on stage. The local groups that have done it seem to treat it better than My Fair Lady, going all out on beautiful sets and ambitious choreography while attracting a better-than-average cast. Either they respect the show more than I do, or they realize this one NEEDS an outstanding production to get by. |
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| JazzGuyy | Aug 10 2009, 10:42 AM Post #4 |
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
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I don't think all women dislike this. My wife likes the movie a lot. |
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| panzer the great & terrible | Aug 10 2009, 07:24 PM Post #5 |
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Mouth Breather
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I can certainly see why any sane woman would like it. It's the fruitcakes that it scares. (no offense, Ms. ex-Gravy, ya silly ole feminazi) |
| We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater | |
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| Laughing Gravy | Aug 10 2009, 07:58 PM Post #6 |
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Revered in the UK
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Well, I'm not admitting to my fruitcakedness, but it bothers ME, too. |
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| panzer the great & terrible | Aug 11 2009, 06:46 AM Post #7 |
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Mouth Breather
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Trust me, the movie's pretty damn normal. My Fair Lady and, for that matter, I Love Lucy should be far more offensive to real feminists. Let's stop branding old things as old-fashioned, OK? It doesn't make a lick of sense. |
| We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater | |
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| Laughing Gravy | Aug 11 2009, 07:13 AM Post #8 |
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Revered in the UK
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But some things ARE old fashioned! |
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| panzer the great & terrible | Aug 11 2009, 12:39 PM Post #9 |
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Mouth Breather
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That's the point. Asking a lot of an artist to expect him to know the future. The stage production is another deal, a cynical effort to bring the thing up to date, just to capitalize on the title. Call it what it is -- junk. I haven't seen a good play from a movie yet unless you count Cabaret and Chicago, and I don't because both of 'em have completely original scores. |
| We Wear Short Shorts Flying Purple People Eater | |
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2:17 AM Nov 27
