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:

Jane Powell, Howard Keel, Jeff Richards

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Howard Keel	...	Adam Pontipee
Jeff Richards	...	Benjamin Pontipee
Russ Tamblyn	...	Gideon Pontipee
Tommy Rall	...	Frank (Frankincense) Pontipee
Marc Platt	...	Daniel Pontipee
Matt Mattox	...	Caleb Pontipee
Jacques d'Amboise	...	Ephraim Pontipee
Jane Powell	...	Milly Pontipee
Julie Newmar	...	Dorcas Gaylen (as Julie Newmeyer)
Nancy Kilgas	...	Alice Elcott
Betty Carr	...	Sarah Kine
Virginia Gibson	...	Liza
Ruta Lee	...	Ruth Jepson (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 | barn | cook | marriage | 1850s | 

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Taglines:

A WONDERFUL, YOUTHFUL, LOVIN', KISSIN' MUSICAL ABOUT SEVEN STOLEN SWEETIES AND THEIR SHOTGUN WEDDINGS! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

For the brides' costumes, designer Walter Plunkett went to the Salvation Army, found old quilts and turned them into dresses.

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Goofs

Frank's flap on his red shirt changes from a v shape like Ephraim's to a square like Gideon's throughout the same scene.

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Quotes

Milly: Raise your hat. What's the matter, Caleb?
Caleb: My hair ain't combed.

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Crazy Credits

In the end credits, Jacques d'Amboise (Ephraim) is listed as appearing courtesy of the New York City Ballet.

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Alternate Versions

Filmed in two different versions: one in CinemaScope (2:55) and one in a "flat" widescreen (1.77). The CinemaScope version is the one generally screened, but both are available. The main difference between the two versions is a slight difference in angles, some minor differences in sound clarity and finally the "flat" widescreen version features more camera movement in order to capture all the action. Warner Brothers has released a 2-DVD set of this film containing both of these versions.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1989)

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Soundtracks

Bless Yore Beautiful Hide
(uncredited)
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Howard Keel

User Reviews

It still holds up today!

Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel) lives with his six brothers in a cabin in a remote area of the woods. He goes to town one day and convinces a girl named Milly (Jane Powell) to marry him. They return to the cabin, where she suddenly realizes he has six brothers.

Milly tries to teach them some manners after her initial shock, but they are not entirely keen to change their ways. They are, however, anxious to get wives of their own.

After Adam reads about Roman capturing of Sabine women, he hatches a plan for his brothers - kidnap whoever they want to marry and bring them back to the cabin.

"Seven Bridges for Seven Brothers" is, today, somewhat of a classic; Stanley Donen adapts the screenplay by Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich and Dorothy Kingsley; their combined efforts are superb.

I have grown up on this film and was surprised at the fact that, after having seen it very recently, it continues to hold up as well as it did when I was younger. I recommend it to everyone of all ages - it's funny, charming, sweet-natured and very enjoyable.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 August 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,540,000 (estimated)

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

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1