5,000 Fingers of Dr. T

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Ted Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, wrote and helped design this eccentric fantasy about a young boy named Bart (Tommy Rettig) who, like most young boys, doesn't enjoy his piano lessons with the mean-spirited Dr. Terwilliker (Hans Conried). He figures his time would be better spent playing baseball with his friends or helping his grown-up buddy Arthur Zabladowski (Peter Lind Hayes), a plumber. One night, while fast asleep, Bart has a long and remarkable dream in which he's trapped in the kingdom of the fearsome Dr. T, who has enslaved hundreds of little boys, forcing them to practice on the world's largest piano until they drop. With the help of a friendly plumber, Bart plans a revolt that will topple Dr. T's evil empire once and for all. The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T also features several songs for which Geisel contributed lyrics. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: 5.1, PCM Mono
• Screen: Pan and Scan
• Subtitle: Spanish, French, English
• Features:
  • • Digitally mastered audio and video
    • Full-screen presentation
    • Audio: English [mono], French, Spanish
    • Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
    • Photo gallery
    • Bonus cartoon
    • Bonus trailers
    • Talent files
    • Interactive menus
    • Scene selections
    • Direct weblink to official Dr. Seuss web site

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Musical Score - 1953 (Morris W. Stoloff, Frederick Hollander)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Director:

  Roy Rowland

• Producer:

  Stanley Kramer

• Screenwriter:

  Allan G. Scott, Dr. Seuss

• Cinematographer:

  Franz Planer

• Composer (Music Score):

  Frederick Hollander, Hans Salter

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Morris W. Stoloff

• Editor:

  Al Clark, Harry Gerstad

• Production Designer:

  Rudolph Sternad

• Art Director:

  Cary O'Dell

• Set Designer:

  William Kiernan

• Costume Designer:

  Jean Louis

• Makeup:

  Clay Campbell

• Choreography:

  Eugene Loring

• Production Manager:

  Clem Beauchamp

REVIEW:

• Certainly not your standard issue 1950s-style musical, The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T has gained a substantial cult following in the decades since its release. This is due primarily to the contributions of Ted Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, who wrote the imaginative screenplay and helped design the surrealistic look of the sets and costumes for the lengthy dream sequence that makes up the body of the film. The look, in particular, is impressive, from the Seuss-ian curves and spirals of the sets to the finger-beanies atop the boys' heads to the roller-skating twins connected by their shared beard. Less successful is the screenplay; while it has some delightful sequences, it's a bit disjointed, and its Freudian underpinnings are at times odd and jarring. The direction is fine, but it falls short of reaching the imaginative heights that the material requires. Tommy Rettig does a commendable job in the leading role, and Hans Conried makes a marvelously sly and slithery Dr. T. Mary Healy is fine as Mrs. Collins, but Peter Lind Hayes leaves something to be desired as the boy's father figure. Ultimately Dr. T disappoints by not living up to its potential, but it's a unique film that children especially will find rewarding. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi