Seven Brides for Seven Brothers [50th-Anniversary Special Edition] [2 Discs]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 2
• Subtitle: Eng/Fre/Spa
• Screen: Soft-Matted WSE for 16x9 TV
• Aspect Ratio: 2.55:1
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Features:
  • cc
  • All-new digital transfer (16 x 9, 2.55:1)
  • Soundtrack newly remastered for Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Commentary by director Stanley Donen
  • Donen musicals trailer gallery
  • Subtitles: English, Francais, & Espanol
  • Rarely screened alternate widescreen version in flat (1.77:1) aspect ratio (16 x 9)
  • Behind-the-scenes documentary "Sobbin' Women: The Making of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," hosted by Howard Keel and updated with new interviews of Jane Powell and Jacques D'Amboise
  • New York premiere and MGM 30th-anniverary celebration newsreels
  • Vintage short "MGM Jubilee Overture"

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Won Best Musical Score - 1954 (Saul Chaplin, Adolph Deutsch)
•     Nominated Best Color Cinematography - 1954 (George Folsey)
•     Nominated Best Editing - 1954 (Ralph Winters)
•     Nominated Best Picture - 1954 (Jack Cummings)
•     Nominated Best Screenplay - 1954 (Dorothy Kingsley, Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett)

• British Academy of Film and Television Arts

•     Nominated Best British Film - 1954 (Stanley Donen)

• Directors Guild of America

•     Nominated Best Director - 1954 (Stanley Donen)

• National Board of Review

•     Nominated Best Picture - 1954

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Howard Keel - Adam Pontabee
       Jeff Richards - Benjamin Pontabee
       Russ Tamblyn - Gideon Pontabee
       Tommy Rall - Frank Pontabee
       Jane Powell - Milly Pontabee
       Howard Petrie - Pete Perkins
       Jacques D'Amboise - Ephraim Pontabee
       Nancy Kilgas - Alice
       Betty Carr - Sarah
       Virginia Gibson - Liza
       Ian Wolfe - Rev. Elcott
       Earl Barton - Harry
       Dante DiPaolo - Matt
       Kelly Brown - Carl
       Matt Moore - Ruth's Uncle
       Dick Rich - Dorcas' Father
       Marjorie Wood - Mrs. Bixby
       Russell Simpson - Mr. Bixby
       Anna Q. Nilsson - Mrs. Elcott

• Director:

  Stanley Donen

• Producer:

  Jack Cummings

• Screenwriter:

  Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Dorothy Kingsley

• Cinematographer:

  George Folsey

• Composer (Music Score):

  Saul Chaplin

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Saul Chaplin

• Musical Arrangement:

  Alexander Courage

• Songwriter:

  Gene de Paul

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Adolph Deutsch

• Songwriter:

  Johnny Mercer

• Editor:

  Ralph Winters

• Art Director:

  Cedric Gibbons, Urie McCleary

• Set Designer:

  Hugh Hunt, Edwin B. Willis

• Costume Designer:

  Walter Plunkett

• Choreography:

  Michael Kidd

• Short Story Author:

  Stephen Vincent Benét

• Assistant Choreographer:

  Alex Romero

REVIEW:

• 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. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi