- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tony Sloman
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5 out of 5
Rightly a sensational commercial success in its day, especially in Britain, this joyous romp remains one of the freshest and most satisfying of movie musicals. A screen original, based on Stephen Vincent Benet's verse play updating The Rape of the Sabine Women ("Tell ya 'bout them sobbin' women... "), it was fashioned by director Stanley Donen and choreographer Michael Kidd into an exciting, heart-warming and technically accomplished (though perhaps a shade politically incorrect) film. The central barn dance is magnificent, and the early use of CinemaScope is as exquisite as the beautifully stylised MGM interiors. Although generally cleverly cast, the movie gains strength from the two leading performances, and, as Adam Pontipee and Milly, Howard Keel and Jane Powell could not be bettered; Keel, in particular, brings variety to what could have been a boorish role.
Plot Summary
Musical starring Howard Keel and Jane Powell. When a young Oregon rancher brings his new wife back home, she is horrified to discover that she has to look after his six unruly brothers. Eventually the boys realise that what they need are wives of their own.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Adam Pontipee
- Howard Keel
- Milly
- Jane Powell
- Gideon
- Russ Tamblyn
- Benjamin
- Jeff Richards
- Frank
- Tommy Rall
- Daniel
- Marc Platt
- Caleb
- Matt Mattox
- Ephraim
- Jacques d'Amboise
- Pete Perkins
- Howard Petrie
- Liza
- Virginia Gibson
- Reverend Elcott
- Ian Wolfe
- Dorcas
- Julie Newmar
- Alice
- Nancy Kilgas
Crew
- Director
- Stanley Donen
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