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 5 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:

The once-in-a-lifetime musical romp!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the most popular films of 1954, it made MGM a profit in excess of $3 million--a considerable sum at the time.

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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

Benjamin: Come back, Dorcas, don't get hurt!

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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

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 BEST Dance Scenes in Dance Movies (2019)

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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

Wow, what a movie, fantastic score and choreography

If you like musicals don't look beyond this one. MGM goofed when it slashed the movie's budget and gave it away to Brigadoon in 1953 but it doesn't matter for the simply stunning songs and choreography shine through. As good as Brigadoon was, it is outclassed by this, for me, the greatest musical of them all.

Howard Keel stars with Jane Powell but for me I cannot look beyond the awesome dancing talent of Matt Mattox as Caleb. Check out the 'polecat scene' and bookmark it on your DVD. It doesn't get any better than this. Thank you Matt, you were great!

Terry

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

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