Seven Brides for Seven Brothers [50th Anniversary Edition]

Overview

Based extremely loosely on the Stephen Vincent Benet story Sobbin' Women," Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the best MGM musicals of the 1950s. Most of the story takes place on an Oregon ranch, maintained by Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) and his six brothers, played by Jeff Richards, Russ Tamblyn, Tommy Rall, Mark Platt, Matt Mattox, and Jacques d'Amboise (it is no coincidence that five of those six boys are played by professional dancers). When Adam brings home his new bride Milly (Jane Powell), she is appalled at the brothers' slovenliness and sets about turning these unwashed louts into immaculate gentlemen. During the boisterous barn-raising scene, the brothers get into a scuffle with a group of townsmen over the affection of six comely lasses: Virginia Gibson, Julie Newmeyer (later Newmar), Ruth Kilmonis (later Ruth Lee), Nancy Kilgas, Betty Carr, and Norma Doggett (yep, most of the girls are dancers, too). Yearning to become husbands like their big brother, they ask Adam for advice. Alas, he has been reading a book about the abduction of the Sabine Women (or, as he puts it, the Sobbin' Women); and, in order to claim their gals, Adam explains, the boys must kidnap them--which they do, after blocking off all avenues of escape. Vowing to remain on their best behavior, the boys make no untoward advances towards their reluctant female guests--not even during one of the coldest winters on record. Comes the spring thaw, the angry townsfolk come charging up the mountain, demanding the return of the stolen girls (who, by this time, have "tamed" their men). A happy ending is ultimately had by all in this delightful if politically incorrect concoction.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/08/2011
UPC:	0883929152575
Original Release:	1954
Rating:	G
Source:	Warner Home Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:42:00
Sales rank:	1,774

Special Features

Closed Caption; Commentary by director Stanley Donen; Donen musicals trailer gallery

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Howard Keel	Adam Pontipee
Jane Powell	Milly
Jeff Richards	Benjamin
Russ Tamblyn	Gideon
Jacques D'Amboise	Ephraim
Tommy Rall	Frank
Ruta Lee	Ruth
Marc Platt	Daniel
Matt Mattox	Caleb
Virginia Gibson	Daniel
Betty Carr	Sarah
Howard Petrie	Pete Perkins
Ian Wolfe	Rev. Elcott
Nancy Kilgas	Alice
Norma Doggett	Martha
Earl Barton	Harry
Dante DiPaolo	Matt
Kelly Brown	Carl
Matt Moore	Ruth's Uncle
Dick Rich	Dorcas' Father,Prospector
Marjorie Wood	Mrs. Bixby
Russell Simpson	Mr. Bixby
Anna Q. Nilsson	Mrs. Elcott
Larry Blake	Drunk,Drunk
Lois Hall	Girl
Russ Saunders	Swain
Terry Wilson	Swain
George Robotham	Swain
Walter Beaver	Lem
Jarma Lewis	Lem's Girl Friend
Sheila James	Dorcas' Sister
I. Stanford Jolley	Father
Tim Graham	Father
Julie Newmar	Dorcas
Gary Armstrong	Member of Second Barn Raising Team
Ann Baker	Town Girl
Paul Bradley	Storekeeper
Chet Brandenburg	Townsman
Russell Saunders	Actor
Gene De Paul	Composer
Adolph Deutsch	Composer
Conrad Salinger	Composer
Saul Chaplin	Composer

Technical Credits

Albert Hackett

Frances Goodrich

Dorothy Kingsley

Stanley Donen	Director
Albert Hackett	Screenwriter
Frances Goodrich	Screenwriter
Dorothy Kingsley	Screenwriter
Jack Cummings	Producer
A. Arnold Gillespie	Special Effects
Douglas Shearer	Sound Effects
Matthew Yuricich	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the screen's most exuberant musicals -- no small feat considering that the stolid Howard Keel plays the male lead. Fortunately, Keel is looser and livelier here than in many of his roles. Whether it's the part or director Stanley Donen, he seems inspired to have fun, whether cockily blustering through the town looking for a bride or sulking after a good reprimanding. He's well matched by Jane Powell, who achieves a fine blend of perkiness and motherliness. Both leads sound great, with Keel's rich baritone bursting forth in "Bless Yore Beautiful Hide" and Powell's soprano trilling nicely in "Wonderful, Wonderful Day." What makes the film, however, is the dancing. Michael Kidd's choreography is among the most athletic and exciting on film. The barn-raising sequence in particular is a rousing classic, with leaps, turns, and log rolls that leave the audience thrilled. Special mention must also be made of the lovely, gentle "Lonesome Polecat" ballet, in which minimal movement is used for maximum impact. The screenplay is solid and well-constructed, although contemporary audiences may find aspects of the story dated. Donen, already respected for such earlier musicals as Singin' in the Rain and On the Town, would go on to direct It's Always Fair Weather and Funny Face.