Peter Pan

This version of _Peter Pan_ is an original adaptation for television. It is not to be confused with the 1954 Mary Martin Broadway production that was broadcast live at least twice in the fifties and on tape in 1960, at last preserved for posterity.

This 1976 television special does not feature the Charlap & Leigh and Styne, Comden & Green score or Jerome Robbins' staging.

This _Peter Pan_ is a disappointing version that offers a lackluster performance by Mia Farrow in the title role and a forgettable one by Danny Kaye as Mister Darling and Captain Hook. Somehow the distinguished John Gielgud and Julie Andrews found themselves contributing, respectively, the narration and the vocal performance of one song to this second-rate effort.

The charmless score was by Anthony Newley & Leslie Bricusse.

There's something you need to know before settling yourself in to watch this Hallmark Hall of Fame version of Peter Pan: it's not the Mary Martin version. The libretto is almost identical, and the songs are in extremely similar places, but they're different. It'll be very hard, but you need to try to not compare it to the famous Mark Charlap and Carolyn Leigh musical. If you're able to do that, you'll be able to appreciate this delightful family friendly musical.

Mia Farrow stars as the boy who never grew up, and she has an entirely different take on the role than most who tackle it. Rather than the false macho bravado actresses usually take in hopes of convincing the audience they can act manly and tough, Mia acts as a vulnerable, gawky adolescent boy—which, if you think about it, makes more sense since Peter Pan is a boy, not a man. Her naturally lean fame and famous pixie haircut doesn't jar the audience into thinking she's pretending to be anyone she's not. She's all elbows and knees, just like a young boy, and vacillates between tears and laughter as only a child can.

Danny Kaye stars as Captain Hook and Mr. Darling, and he's fantastic. While the chorus members often seem a little amateur, he stands out as the most professional one in the cast. My one criticism of the production is Michael Kidd's choreography, and while it distracts from several cute songs, when Danny Kaye performs, it's obvious he didn't really pay Kidd much attention. His own gestures and flare shine out so that you can forget about the lousy choreography behind him.

I really enjoyed this Peter Pan version. Put the famous one out of your mind and give it a watch with the kiddies. This one isn't watched very often, but I think Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse's songs were underrated. They're different, but very sweet.

This TV movie of "Peter Pan" as a musical should also be listed as a comedy. It's a very good Hallmark production that stars Mia Farrow as Peter, Danny Kay as the father, George Darling, and as Captain Hook, and Briony McRoberts as Wendy as the girl. The rest of the cast are very good as well. Besides the musical aspects of this fable rendition, it's obvious that the producers and writers intended it to have a definite comical edge. And, with Danny Kaye in the role as Captain Hook, they could be assured of getting that. I couldn't help but wonder if a couple of instances weren't ad libs by Kaye and they liked them so much that they kept them in.

I've seen videos and DVDs made from TV airing of made-for TV movies, and that's what I watched of this production. While the commercials are cut out, the quality is still quite choppy and rough. This is a movie that I think is good enough to be produced on DVD. The scenes with the children and Peter flying around the room are so well done, with no apparent use of wires or anything. The tricks of the trade in filming those scenes make them appear real and natural.

The main characters of J. M. Barrie's fable are here, and Nana, the nurse for the Darling children in a big furry dog (played by Peter O'Farrell). One of the songs that Kaye's Captain Hook sings is about his place in the Villain's Hall of Fame. This is worth seeing if it should ever be broadcast again on TV, or from a DVD. Here are some sample lines from this film.

Mr. Darling, "You know, Mary, I sometimes question the wisdom of engaging a dog for a nurse."

Captain Hook, "Infamy, infamy, everybody's got it inn for me."

Captain Hook, "By the way, Smee, what is a lubber?" Smee (played by Tony Sympson), Oh, it's sea talk, sir." Hook, "I know that - I'm not a fool."

A variation on the same stage-bound television performance first done by Mary Martin 26 years earlier. It was presented as a HALLMARK HALL OF FAME TV special (apparently with new songs), but never really caught on with viewers or Nielsens. In the continuing tradition of women in the Pan role, Mia Farrow does a perfectly capable job (sporting the boyish, Twiggy hair cut at the time). Danny Kaye was also fine as Captain Hook. But the real surprise was the casting of Paula Kelly- a striking, long-legged African-American dancer- as Tiger Lily. Her memorable entrance in the show is in a scantily-clad costume of loincloths (with an equally scantily clad male chorus) and was probably sexier than absolutely necessary- but I supremely didn't care.

I have not seen this movie (and its not without trying constantly!) for about 25 years. I used to love watching this every single year on the TV and basically would do /pay almost anything to retain a copy, remembering I live in Australia and the American VHS format does not work over here. If anybody out there can help me with where I may be able to find this, preferably in DVD then please let me know. Cheers.

This TV-movie deserved the Emmy + 1 other award it received. It is a timeless classic and personally the best version of the many that have been made of 'The boy that would not grow up'. All the cast are fantastic and the special effects inclusive of 'non real'/puppet of 'Nanna' the dog are spectacular for the time it was made. The songs are fantastically written and performed , in particular "Who needs a mother" and the demise of Danny Kaye's Hook was superb and better than any 'panto'. If there is anyone out there that can help me out, please do so ASAP.

Thanks.

Deano.