Wonderful Town (1958) (TV)

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Directors:

Mel Ferber
Herbert Ross

Writers:

Jerome Chodorov (book)
Joseph Fields (book)

Release Date:

30 November 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Musical

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Based On Musical | Broadway Musical | Remake | Based On Book

Cast

Rosalind Russell	...	Ruth Sherwood
Sydney Chaplin	...	Robert Baker
Jacquelyn McKeever	...	Eileen Sherwood
Joseph Buloff	...	Mr. Appopolous
Dort Clark	...	Chick Clark
Jordan Bentley	...	Wreck
Cris Alexander	...	Frank Lippencott
Jack Fletcher	...	Night Club Patron
Michele Burke	...	Helen Wade
Ted Beniades	...	'Speedy' Valenti
Isabella Hoopes	...	Mrs. Wade
Ray Weaver	...	Shore Patrolman
Gene Carrons	...	Violet
John Wheeler	...	Officer Lonigan
Don Grusso	...	Fireman

Runtime:

120 min (DVD release)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Fields Productions Inc.

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "Wonderful Town" opened at the Winter Garden Theater in New York on February 25, 1953, ran for 559 performances and won the 1953 Tony Award for the Best Musical. Rosalind Russell won the 1953 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and recreated her role in the movie version.

Movie Connections:

Remake of My Sister Eileen (1942)

Soundtrack:

Conversation Piece

The Music, The Actors, The Experience.

This musical is a prime example of the fluffy, light, grand and vivacious gold that has flown under the radar for decades. It possesses the classic feel-good attitude coupled with a pleasantly light, if somewhat weak storyline that is just good enough for it's problems to go unnoticed under the masterful score by a true genius, Leonard Bernstein. His intricate rhythms and brilliant melodies are complimented beautifully by Comden and Green's wonderfully witty lyrics that, even though they're irrelevant today, deliver some wonderful moments and give the show it's smart, mature yet surreally simple aura that just about forces you to sit back, listen, and enjoy the truly marvelous and colourful characters.

The film version of this masterpiece delivers this feeling in grand fashion, considering of course the limitations of the time. But the movie is made more special by the actors, Ms. Rosalind Russell especially since the role of Ruth was created for her to perform.

This musical is truly a gem. I recommend the film to any old movie lovers and musical theatre admirers alike. I also suggest picking up the Broadway Revival cast recording with Donna Murphy as Ruth, who delivers a fresh interpretation of Ruth which is in many ways better than the original.