Starring Johnny Whittaker, Jodie Foster, Celeste Holm, and Jeff East
Directed by Don Taylor
Music and Lyrics by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman
In the early-70's, the magazine Reader's Digest decided to dive into film-making. They chose for their first production this musical version of the beloved Mark Twain novel. I reviewed an animated version from 2000 back in June, but how does this earlier live-action retelling fare? Let's begin on the river, as the paddlewheeler Julia Belle Swain pulls into Hannibal, Missouri, and find out...
The Story: Tom (Whittaker) is constantly getting into trouble with his Aunt Polly (Holm) for skipping school to hang out with his buddy Huckleberry Finn (East) by the river. Even when he's made to whitewash a fence for staying out too late, he gets his friends from the neighborhood to do it. He and Huck realize they've bitten off more than they can chew when they witness a murder at the cemetery at midnight. Tom promises Huck he won't tell, but can't bring himself to let town drunk Muff Potter (Warren Oates) take the blame and reveals what he saw.
After he tells pretty Becky Thatcher (Foster) he likes her, they become "engaged," until she finds out he already had a girl. Aunt Polly is still angry with him for being out too late. He finally runs away with Huck, only to be stranded on an island. They return to their own funeral. Everyone's happy to see them in time for the Independence Day picnic, but when Tom takes Becky to the local caves and they're trapped by the real killer, it's up to Huck to lead the townspeople to them.
The Song and Dance: Considering this is the second time this summer a musical version of Tom Sawyer came out well, I'm surprised there aren't more out there. Whittaker and Foster worked together in the family drama Napoleon and Samantha the year before, and they're adorable and very funny as the mischievous lad in over his head and the newcomer who admire his spunk. Celeste Holm makes a great Aunt Polly, too, frustrated with Tom's inability to behave, yet still loving him much like Becky does. There's also some gorgeous and authentic costumes and cinematography - they actually filmed the movie in two historic small towns in Missouri. The even found a real Native for Injun' Joe.
Favorite Number: The movie begins and ends with country singer Charlie Pride performing "River Song," on the mighty Mississippi and how it turns "a boy into a man." This stirring folk tune comes straight from Twain, and it was nominated for an Oscar. Aunt Polly sings the title song twice, first as she fumes early in the film because he's late again, then when she's worried after they vanish he won't be coming home.
The Sherman Brothers return to their love of crazy made-up words with "Gratification" for Tom's friends as they paint the fence and "Freebootin'" for Tom and Huck as they happily do what they please on the island. Muff cements his friendship with Tom and Huck, telling them "A Man's Gotta Be (What He has to Be)," even if it's the town drunk who hides his liquor in the water trough. Tom has two sweet solos mid-way through, "How Come?" as he wonders about his feelings for Becky in a gentle montage of their relationship, and "If n' I Were God" when he leaves in tears after Aunt Polly's angry because he insulted religion.
What I Don't Like: The murder story is still pretty dark for a lot of kids, particularly younger ones who may enjoy the sprightly music. Possibly because Foster was the bigger star at the time, there's not as much emphasis on Tom's relationship with Huck as you might think or want. Maybe a second number for them before their island adventure might have expanded their relationship. It's also not a hundred-percent adaptation of the book, missing the entire incident in the haunted house and turning the small picnic with Becky and Tom into a huge town gathering.
The Big Finale: Lovely introduction to Twain for older elementary school kids who may enjoy the action and some of the songs.
Home Media: Like most MGM DVDs, it's in print but expensive and often hard to find. You're better off streaming it. Tubi currently has it for free.
No comments:
Post a Comment