Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

In 1850 Oregon, when a backwoodsman brings a wife home to his farm, his six brothers decide that they want to get married too.

Director:

Stanley Donen

Writers:

Albert Hackett (screenplay), Frances Goodrich (screenplay),

Stars:

Howard Keel, Jeff Richards, Russ Tamblyn

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Howard Keel	...	Adam Pontipee
Jeff Richards	...	Benjamin Pontipee
Russ Tamblyn	...	Gideon Pontipee
Tommy Rall	...	Frank Pontipee
Marc Platt	...	Daniel Pontipee
Matt Mattox	...	Caleb Pontipee
Jacques d'Amboise	...	Ephraim Pontipee
Jane Powell	...	Milly
Julie Newmar	...	Dorcas (as Julie Newmeyer)
Nancy Kilgas	...	Alice
Betty Carr	...	Sarah
Virginia Gibson	...	Liza
Ruta Lee	...	Ruth (as Ruta Kilmonis)
Norma Doggett	...	Martha
Ian Wolfe	...	Rev. Elcott

Storyline

Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, goes to town to get a wife. He convinces Milly to marry him that same day. They return to his backwoods home. Only then does she discover he has six brothers - all living in his cabin. Milly sets out to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, after reading about the Roman capture of the Sabine women, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers' loneliness.

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Plot Keywords:

farm | oregon | 1850s | love | cook | 

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Taglines:

SINGIN'! DANCIN'! ROMANCIN'! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family | Musical | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Siete novias para siete hermanos

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Sound System) (magnetic prints) 70 mm 6-Track (Australia) (1968 re-release) Mono (optical prints)

Color:

Color (Ansco)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The censors weren't too happy about the line in the song "Lonesome Polecat" where the brothers lament "A man can't sleep when he sleeps with sheep". By not showing any sheep in the same shot as the brothers, the film-makers were able to get away with it.

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Goofs

During "Going Courting", when Calebs groans, he groans longer than his mouth is open for.

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Quotes

Dorcas: I've always wanted to be a June Bride... and have a baby right off, in the spring maybe.

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Connections

Featured in Precious Images (1986)

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Soundtracks

"June Bride"
(uncredited)
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Virginia Gibson and Chorus

User Reviews

Real Men Can Sing AND Dance

As an experienced woodsman compounded by being a fan of great music, it is so refreshing to see a perfect musical centered around men behaving like men. So many shows have slim little dandies spinning around and leaping to and fro and the only way you can tell them from a 13 year old girl is their shorter haircuts. I truly enjoyed seeing someone masculine (gay or straight doesn't matter) move in a skilled manner, and disprove the stereotypes of "White Men Can't Dance." Seven Brides for Seven Brothers has the great Howard Keel (the John Wayne of Musicals), supported by a cast of 6 men (some actors, some dancers and some acrobats) and the outcome is nothing short of spectacular. Michael Kidd's choreography is fantastic, demonstrating grace and strength, yet remaining believable in the fact that the skills could be something done by woodsmen. Mercers music, especially "Bless Your Beautiful" and "Lonesome Polecat" is simply awesome and are in my head for days every time I watch it. The cinema-scope and vibrant colors are unbelievably crisp. I watched this with my 2 year old daughter, and aside from her dragging me up to dance with her during the big production numbers, she sat in her chair and watched the ENTIRE 2 hour movie. A two year old that watches an entire 2 hour movie with her dad, you say!?! Do I need anymore proof of the perfection of this movie!? Bless Howard Keel, as he must be smiling down on me whenever I collapse back into my seat, exhausted from dancing with my little girl...who also slept very, very well that night.