#19 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
I thought this choice was appropriate as I'm theming this month, more or less, on wonderful male dancers. What movie could showcase that better than a musical about 7 strapping, singing and dancing backwoodsmen? I love this movie! I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who didn't like this movie (except people who don't like musicals, which is a different matter).
The basic plot is as follows: When Millie (Jane Powell) agrees to marry Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel), she thinks she'll finally have a peaceful and quiet life after years of working in town. What she doesn't know is that Adam has six brothers back home. And when the brothers, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank, and Gideon decide they want wives of their own, Millie takes them under her sisterly wing to show them how it's done. The craziness begins, however, when Adam advises his brothers to just kidnap the girls of their choice and be done with it.
Doesn't that sound like fun? If you haven't seen it, you really should. It's fun from start to finish. There's some great dancing, great singing, and great dialogue. I'm really loving the month-long poll I have up. Keep the votes coming! I'm going to add another poll, though, for this movie and it will last a week (maybe two, depending on how many votes I'm getting). The question is, which brother is your favorite?
This is a wonderful review! It makes me want to go watch it right now. SBfSB has always been a favorite of mine... but choosing a favorite brother? Now I'll HAVE to watch it again so that I can choose! : )
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
This is such a fun movie. I posted about it in my Month o' Musicals last year. My favorite brother is Frank, for my reasons see here: http://moviewings.blogspot.com/2009/01/month-o-musicals-seven-brides-for-seven.html
ReplyDeleteI love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I first saw it while in my teens and it instantly became a favorite. I could easily watch the barn raising dance scene over and over :)
ReplyDeleteYAYA! I LOVE 7BF7B!
ReplyDeleteBesides Adam and Gideon (universal favorites). My favorite is Ephraim. The actor (name just slipped my mind) was a ballet dancer and it's fascinating watching him dance the barn dance in a ballet way...haha!
Great review!
This is my very favorite movie. Several years ago the Academy held a tribute to the film and I was able to have stills autographed by a number of the dancers including Julie Newmar and Ruta Lee. I spent my teen years collecting every still and lobby card from this movie I could get!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not this film just about started a "flame war" on a children's lit email group I've been a part of for nearly 20 years. Some of the women find the treatment of women in this film highly offensive. Personally, I think they take life wayyyy too seriously if they're going to be outraged by this fun, happy movie.
PS Millie, you're thinking of Jacques D'Amboise.
Best wishes,
Laura
This has been on my must-watch list for so many years. I really have to just sit down and see it. I don't think I've ever heard a negative review.
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Benjamin alllll the way! I'd be Julie Newmar too! Perfection.
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I'm learning so much from your blog! I just watched New Moon this week (lol) and I was so bored out of mind. They don't make movies like this anymore!
ReplyDeleteI voted in your poll. :) Was so happy to see my favorite film featured!
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