Li'l Abner (1959)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Melvin Frank

Writers:

Al Capp (comic strip)
Melvin Frank (writer)

Release Date:

6 October 1961 (Finland)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Family

Tagline:

COMES ALIVE IN TECHNICOLOR! (original print ad - all caps)

Plot:

As Sadie Hawkins Day approaches, Daisy Mae hopes to win the hand of Li'l Abner by catching him in the traditional race...

Plot Keywords:

Comic Book | Based On Comic Strip | Based On Comic Book | Comic Strip | Based On Comic

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Peter Palmer	...	Li'l Abner Yokum
Leslie Parrish	...	Daisy Mae
Stubby Kaye	...	Marryin' Sam
Howard St. John	...	Gen. Bullmoose
Julie Newmar	...	Stupefyin' Jones
Stella Stevens	...	Appassionata Von Climax
Billie Hayes	...	Pansy ('Mammy') Yokum
Joe E. Marks	...	Pappy Yokum
Bern Hoffman	...	Earthquake McGoon
Al Nesor	...	Evil Eye Fleagle
Robert Strauss	...	Romeo Scragg
William Lanteau	...	Available Jones
Ted Thurston	...	Sen. Jack S. Phogbound
Carmen Álvarez	...	Moonbeam McSwine (as Carmen Alvarez)
Alan Carney	...	Mayor Daniel D. Dogmeat

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex)

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:Approved

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Many of the actors and dancers from the 1956 Broadway version were cast in this film.

Goofs:

Continuity: During Abner's and Sam's "The County's in the Very Best of Hands" musical number, both Mayor Dogmeat and the podium he's standing behind disappear twice.

Quotes:

Daisy Mae: [about growing old and unmarried] I looked in the mirror this morning and most of my good years are gone.
Marryin' Sam: I guess you're right. After all, you is pushing eighteen.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Presidential Bash 2004 (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

If I Had My Druthers

Fabulous Fifties Musical Time Capsule

Sure, it's hokey, brash, and fairly simple. It's a living *cartoon*! The songs and jokes are very dated ... which is fantastic! Li'l Abner is actually a fabulous political satire from the 50's. Not only that, but thankfully Michael Kidd's original athletic choreography from Broadway has been captured for posterity. And, hey. Any film that features Valerie Harper, Beth Howland, and Julie Newmar before they were stars ... plus Leslie Parrish (author Richard Bach's wife!) as Daisy Mae ... jeesh. It's a national treasure!