BrianKoller's Full Review: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Other than Singin' in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz, perhaps no Hollywood musical has had the devotional following of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Upon reading user reviews on various websites, I was struck by the number of people who had seen this film at an early age, and have seen it regularly ever since. One woman claimed to have watched this movie at least once a month for the past fifteen years!
Why is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers so beloved? What makes it special? One reason is the choreography. Most of the ensemble cast were professional dancers. Stanley Donen was the director, as he had been for past successful musicals such as Singin' in the Rain and On the Town. Michael Kidd (The Band Wagon, Guys and Dolls) was the choreographer.
The result was some very energetic dance numbers. Most memorable is a barn dance scene, which has our seven brothers going to spectacular lengths to woo the town belles. One may wonder how these socially deprived backwoodsmen suddenly became professional dancers (perhaps Milly had more to teach them than manners), but the entertainment value is undeniable.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers also has plenty of comic relief. It is as much a comedy as it is a musical. While there is some 'Three Stooges'-styled physical humor during the barnraising sequence, most of the humor gently satirizes gender roles.
The story takes place in the old West. Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) goes to town to find a wife, which turns out to be Milly (Jane Powell). She is in for a surprise, however, when she reaches Adam's farm. Adam has six manly brothers, and she is expected to cook and wash for all of them. The most familiar face is Gideon (Russ Tamblyn).
Now the brothers want wives as well. Adam and Milly have differing methods for obtaining them. Milly teaches social graces to the brothers. Adam, however, conspires with the brothers to kidnap the girls, in the spirit of the Romans and the "Sobbin' (sic Sabine) Women". A mix of both methods proves most effective. One of the girls is played by Julie Newmar, later known as Catwoman on the satirical "Batman" television series.
It is useless for me to criticize Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Those who cynically disdain old Hollywood musicals as corn best forgotten won't see it, under any event. Those who are enthralled by the film's simple entertainment values don't want to hear about its weaknesses, and I can't blame them. Why take the joy out of a movie by thinking about what is wrong with it?
The answer is, that is how a discipline operates. It's not just film critics. Scientists have to test a theory by trying to poke holes in it, finding its flaws and limitations.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers features five brothers and six brides with nearly indistinguishable personalities. They pull off an impossible mass kidnapping, then convince all of the women to marry. The entire story is as simplistic as the characters. I found several of the songs tedious, including "Wonderful, Wonderful Day" and "When You're in Love".
But that's just my cranky opinion. A great many people, most film critics included, admire Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Certainly the Academy Awards thought much of the film, nominating it for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Color Cinematography. It won one Oscar, for Best Score. (50/100)
Things are different for the Pontipee men now that big brother Adam s fetched a bride and brought her to their cabin. The biscuits are buttery fresh, ...More at Buy.com
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