The Oregon Territory in 1850 provides the setting for this high-energy, colorful musical based on a Benet short story (which, in turn, was inspired by Plutarch’s “The Abduction of the Sabine Women”). Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel) is a hard-working “mountain man” who comes to town for supplies—and a wife. After announcing his plans to a storeowner, he adds: “I’m in no hurry…I got all afternoon.” He quickly settles on Millie (Jane Powell), a comely—but sassy—lass who chops wood, cooks, and milks cows. For Millie, it’s love at first sight and the chance to take care of her own home.
The honeymoon gets off to a rocky start when Millie discovers that Adam has six brothers. “Y’all live around here?” she asks. “Not ’round. Here,” replies one of the brothers. After overcoming her initial shock, Millie grows fond of her brothers-in-law…until they listen to Adam and take extreme measures to get their own brides.
The score by Johnny Mercer and Gene de Paul is a tuneful one. “Wonderful, Wonderful Day” and “When You’re in Love” are bright, pretty love songs. But Mercer’s best lyrics are reserved for “Lonesome Polecat,” a woeful lament sung by the lovesick brothers (a sample line: “A man can’t sleep when he sleeps with sheep”).
Michael Kidd’s spectacular choreography provides a perfect complement to the music. Kidd insisted that all the dance numbers derive from what the brothers were doing. Most critics consider the barn-raising scene to be the film’s showstopper. But I favor the dance where the brothers try to outshine their rivals from the town and the aforementioned “Lonesome Polecat,” in which the brothers cut and saw wood in unison with the musical beats.
The cast is uniformly fine, with Powell and Keel generating the required chemistry as the romantic leads. Four of the brothers were accomplished dancers (I think Matt Mattox, who plays Caleb, is the best). Russ Tamblyn, who had no prior dancing experience (he was an acrobat), is quite appealing as the youngest brother. It’s hard to believe it’s the same actor who would later played a key role in the wonderfully weird TV series
Twin Peaks.
I first saw
Seven Brides on
The CBS Late Movie in the mid-1970s. I liked it well enough then, but my fondness for it has grown significantly over the years. See a good print of it, if possible, so you can enjoy the vibrant colors.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers inspired a mediocre, short-lived TV series and a very successful Broadway play.
It has also played in a key role in a running joke between my mother-in-law and me. In one scene in
Seven Brides, Jane Powell's character fixes the brothers an incredible breakfast with everything you can imagine: flapjacks, sausage, eggs, biscuits, potatoes, etc. So when visiting my's wife folks, if my mother-in-law asks if I want something to eat in the morning, I always reply: "A Jane Powell breakfast would be nice." I never get one, though. But I do get to hear a lovely laugh in response.
Wonderful review, Rick! I haven't had the pleasure of seeing this movie, but one can tell how colorful this movie must be (quite literally, from the stills). I'm pretty lame, so I can only think of THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (1962) when I see Howard Keel's name, but it would be great to see him in this musical. Russ Tamblyn was very good in TWIN PEAKS in his 3D specs. This was very fun to read, Rick, and I agree: awesome breakfast (and I only had a granola bar this morning, so thanks for the vivid description and accompanying picture because I'm really hungry now and only have a frozen meal to look forward to).
ReplyDeleteThe romantic in me loves this movie, it is wonderful to see a beautiful musical centered around men acting like men. Is that wrong? :) I truly enjoyed seeing Howard Keel, the John Wayne of Musicals, the outcome is nothing I will ever forget.. For me, Michael Kidd's dance numbers are believable. The skills could be something done by woodsmen. My favorite songs in the film were "Bless Your Beautiful" and "Lonesome Polecat," and are rattling around in my head for days after I watch, Seven Brides. Rick, my days of a Jane Powell's breakfast are long gone, if I want to keep my girlish figure..wink/wink.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this film, Rick. One of the best musicals ever made. Everything is great about it: the plot, the musical numbers, and the cast. Jane Powell's Millie is the epitome of a strong country woman. When she finds out what the brothers have done and has to deal with the terrified "brides" the movie really takes off. Also how it effects Millie's relationship with Adam is a riot. Thanks for the great review, Rick.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention that Russ Tamblyn was also in WEST SIDE STORY. I thought it worth noting because when you're a Jet, well... you're a Jet.
ReplyDeleteRick , just think what this film could have been it MGM had not forced Stanley to do this "On the Cheap". On the big screen and with a good print the "backdrops" really stand out, but he and Kidd overcame all of that. Anyone remember the other musical MGM gave all the money to instead of Brides?
ReplyDeleteI have seen this movie, Rick, and it is a good musical. The plot was funny yet clever. The musical numbers are also good. I really like Howard Keel who was not only a fantastic singer but also a good dramatic actor. By the way Sark, I own DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS which is a classic sci-fi movie and Keel is good in it too. Nice review, Rick, and I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeletePaul, which musical got the big budget over BRIDES?
ReplyDeleteRick ,you really don't know? It was Brigadoon, with Brides killed at the book office.
ReplyDeleteI love this musical! One rarely sees it on lists for best musicals and it seems to be overlooked by many but it is truly engaging. The use of color is excellent. Like Dawn, I can not help singing "Lonesome Polecat" or "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" for days after seeing it. I have never had one of Millie's enormous breakfasts but would love to try one, too, but not in the same room as the seven Pontipee brothers.
ReplyDeleteI have to mention the beautiful Julie Newmar had one of her biggest roles to date as one of the six women abducted by the overenthusiastic Pontipee men. She is radiant and very charismatic in this role. Just 12 years later she would bring her beauty to the forefront playing Catwoman in TV's "Batman."
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ReplyDeleteToto, BTW one of the brides is Ruta Lee under her real last name.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review of this movie musical Rick, whose reputation has gotten better as the years go by. Perhaps it's one of those that men can relate to easily, although that would have been the case when it was released. Anyway, Russ Tamblyn ended up dancing in some movies after this one: West Side Story and The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm.
ReplyDeleteThis is, hands down, our family's favorite musical to view. I bought the dvd 8 years ago and am so glad that I did. Even the menfolk in our house will watch it. My daughters have specific brothers that are their faves. We even introduced it to the neighbor kids and they loved it too! What also tickles me is that when the film was in production, MGM gave more money to the making of Brigadoon, which they thought would be the box office hit and instead, Seven Brides was the much bigger hit.
ReplyDelete