Election Day Special - I Go Pogo

21st Century Film Corporation, 1980

Voices of Skip Hinnant, Johnathan Winters, Vincent Price, and Bob McFadden

Directed by Marc Paul Chinoy

Music by Gary Baker; Lyrics by Tom Flora

Our first review this week is so obscure, I never even heard of it until last week. I have, however, heard of the comic strip it's based on. Walt Kelly's Pogo started in 1948 and became one of the most popular comic strips of the 1950's and 60's. Its homespun characters, creative use of language, and spot-on political satire made it a favorite of kids and adults alike. The comic had already begun falling out of favor when Kelly passed away in 1973. There had already been two attempts at putting the strip on TV, but this would be its first and only movie outing. How does this laid-back stop-motion comedy compare to the much-loved strip? Let's begin in Georgia's Okefenokie Swamp as the title song introduces our main premise and characters and find out...

The Story: Everyone in the swamp is bound and determined for Pogo (Hinnant) to run for president...except Pogo himself. Pogo would rather be fishing and thinks the entire process is nonsense. Molester Mole (Winters), Deacon Mushrat (Price), Albert Alligator (Stan Freberg), and Howland Owl (McFadden) in particular are determined for Pogo to win the nomination for the presidency. They think of everything they can do to force him to campaign, from painting him as part of "Mount Rushmore" on a fence (his head gets stuck) to attempting to marry him off to skunk Mis Mam'selle Hepzibah (Ruth Buzzi) so he'll have a first lady. Molester and Mushrat even call on the unreliable Wiley Katt (Winters) at one point. In the end, as Pogo and the narrator point out, the more they try to fix things to their own ends, the more of mess they make of it all.

The Animation: The stop-motion has been criticized for not looking much like the characters in the comics. Not having read the comics, I can't make the comparison there. I can say that, though they move decently enough for the time and their facial expressions are occasionally hilarious, they're all so rounded and undefined, it's hard to tell what animal most of them are supposed to be. (I would not have guessed "possum" for Pogo, for instance, or muskrat for the Deacon.)

The Song and Dance: I will give them credit for assembling such a wonderful all-star cast. Hinnant is a charming Pogo, while Price actually manages a decent southern accent as the conniving Deacon. Freburg and McFadden also make the most of the twisty and frequent dialogue. Buzzi does well by her two very different characters, making Hepzibah sweet and silky and motherly Miz Beaver warm and no-nonsense.

The Numbers: We open with the title song as we see the locations that will later turn up in the film. Porky Pine (Winters) laments that "It's Hard to Be a Friend" when the others are all busy with the campaign and he has no one to fish with. It's "Convention Time," and the animals cheer Pogo on. "Pogo In Desperation" is an attempt to point out to the others that he's not suited to the candidacy. The others would rather give "Hail and Cheers" at the rally. "The Chase!" is on as everyone goes after their candidate in the finale.

Trivia: 21st Century Film Corporation pulled a little chicanery of their own when they told the animators they would get this national distribution in time for the 1980 election, with a one million promotional budget and a "Pogo for President" write-in campaign. They ended up sending it straight to video instead. It was only available through Fotomat's rental service.

An edited version with added narration would eventually turn up on cable, including HBO, Showtime, and The Disney Channel. This version would also be re-released on video by Disney in 1984 and 1989. (It's this version that I based my review on.)

Skip Hinnant's last theatrical film.

Among the later cartoonists Kelly's work inspired were Gary Trudeau (Doonsbury), Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes), and Jeff MacNelly (Shoe). 

What I Don't Like: For all the great characters, first of all, there's too much talk and way too little action. Three fourths of the movie is just characters plotting and plotting with very little to show for it. The narration they added for cable only makes things more confusing. The plot is barely existent, and is mainly there to show off the cast and Walt Kelly's trademark unique words. And once again, I've never read the comics, but some comments online say this lacks it's charm and wordplay. I have to agree with another comment that the stop-motion doesn't really seem to suit the characters. They would have been better off in regular 2D animation. 

The Big Finale: Only for the most ardent fans of the Pogo comics or the cast. Everyone else can leave this one alone in the swamp.

Home Media: This is so obscure, it's never been on DVD, to my knowledge. The only way you can find it is in the cable-edited version with the narration on YouTube.

YouTube

Election Day Special - Hallelujah, I'm a Bum

United Artists, 1933

Starring Al Jolson, Frank Morgan, Harry Langdon, and Madge Evans

Directed by Lewis Milestone

Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Lorenz Hart

Here's a truly unique musical experience to tide you over until the election results come in. After their Love Me Tonight was a critical (though not commercial) success, Rodgers and Hart opted to combine that film's rhyming dialogue and whimsical tone with something that more accurately reflected the political climate of the early 30's. It was also Al Jolson's attempt at a film comeback after his success in the late 20's and early 30's fizzled out. How does this mix of reality, poverty, and comedy look now? Let's begin with homeless men Bumper (Jolson) and Acorn (Edgar Connor) as they encounter Mayor John Hastings (Morgan) of New York on a hunting trip and find out...

The Story: Bumper is perfectly happy as the head of the New York homeless folks. They're not interested in working again, content with living a meager but friendly existence in Central Park and occasionally teasing Egghead (Langdon), a communist who works as a street sweeper. He's friendly with Mayor Hastings, as he once saved his life, and he hopes to be like him someday.

Mayor Hastings wishes he were as happy as Bumper and his carefree followers. He thinks his latest mistress June Marcher (Evans) is cheating on him and slips a $1,000 bill in her purse. When she leaves her purse behind, he thinks she's seeing someone else. Bumper does manage to return the purse, but June thinks Hastings is no longer interested and jumps off a bridge. He rescues her, then falls for her when he realizes she's lost her memory. He's willing to give up his shiftless ways to be with her...not thinking of what will happen when she regains her memories...

The Song and Dance: This is one of the most original musicals ever made in Hollywood. There aren't too many movies, let alone musicals, dealing with financial hardship, communism, and Marxist theory. Though Jolson is subdued compared to his earlier movies, he's also a lot easier to take as the head of the New York homeless than he was in his early talkies vehicles like Say It With Songs. (And note this is one of only two movies he made where he wears no blackface whatsoever.) 

While not their absolute best, the Rodgers and Hart score is still pretty good, and contains at least one standard in Jolson's ballad "You are Too Beautiful." Morgan matches him well as the troubled mayor, whose mind is on his lady rather than his job. The rhyming dialogue, with music often seamlessly flowing into words and back again, makes this into almost an opera at times. 

The Numbers: We open with Bumper proclaiming "I've Gotta Get Back to New York" as he and Acorn hit the road. He and the others sing their ode to "My Pal Bumper" after they arrive at Central Park. After a choir sings "My Country Tis of Thee" at the dedication of a new building, Mayor Hastings shows how they're "Laying the Corner Stone.

Acorn, Bumper, and Egghead know they owe "Dear Jane," whom they've never seen, for finding that thousand dollar bill, because "Bumper Found a Grand." After they argue over who gets a share of the cash, Bumper reminds them that it's not so important. After all, "What Do You Want With Money?" because "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum." He gets his answer when a "Kangaroo Court" puts him on trial for getting a job. Bumper admits that he did it for love, and "I'd Do It Again." He finally tells his Angel as they dance in their new apartment that "You are Too Beautiful." 

Trivia: Harry Langdon and Chester Conklin (the carriage driver in Central Park) were popular comedians in the silent era. 

Known as Hallelujah, I'm a Tramp in England, where "bum" has entirely different connotations. 

What I Don't Like: This is the definition of "not for everybody." If you're not a fan of musicals, like your musicals more traditional, don't like the rhyming dialogue, or don't agree with the leftist politics in question (or are unable to overlook them), you will not be into this. It's not for those who aren't fans of Jolson or prefer him in bombastic mode, either. Madge Evans isn't nearly as interesting as the guys. She has very little personality whether she's Bumper's angel or the mayor's mistress, making the love triangle not nearly as romantic as the movie wants to think it is. 

Milestone's lack of experience with musicals shows in his constant cutting away from songs before they finish. Even the lovely "You are Too Beautiful" barely gets a chance to end before he's off somewhere else. No wonder his only other musical would be the more traditional Anything Goes from 1936. The whimsical rhyming dialogue doesn't always work all that well with the social commentary, either. 

The Big Finale: This may be one of the most polarizing musicals in existence. Either you'll get a kick out of what Milestone, Jolson, and writer S.N Behrman were trying to do, or you'll find the rhyming dialogue, political waffling, and Jolson's ego insufferable. Give it a chance this Election Day and see which side of the debate you fall on.

Home Media: It's on DVD, and YouTube and the Internet Archive have it streaming at press time.

DVD

YouTube

Internet Archive

Election Day Special - Louisiana Purchase

Paramount, 1941

Starring Bob Hope, Vera Zorina, Victor Moore, and Irene Bordoni

Directed by Irving Cummings

Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin

While you wait for the election results to come in, here's a hilarious political satire to check out. Louisiana Purchase started life as a Broadway show the year before. This spoof of political corruption in general and the state of Louisiana dropping Huey Long's Share the Wealth program and supporting the Franklin Roosevelt and his New Deal was a huge hit in New York, but does it still earn the vote with viewers today? Let's begin with Paramount's lawyer (Emory Parnell) as he and his secretary (Iris Meredith) and the chorus explain in song that this is a spoof and none of this really happened...maybe...and find out...

The Story: Three Louisiana House of Representative members have been using the federal funds for the Louisiana Purchase Company to furnish their lavish lifestyles. They're horrified when they learn that Senator Oliver P. Loganberry (Moore) is coming to conduct hearings into their corrupt activities. They force the fourth member, Jim Taylor (Hope), to lure Loganberry into a trap that'll let them blackmail him into dropping the matter. 

Taylor's friend Madame Bordelaise (Bordoni) suggests European beauty Marina Von Minden (Zorina), who is trying to earn enough money to bring her mother to the US, to be used as bait. She seduces him and gets him drunk, but then has second thoughts and claims she's his fiancee. Now Jim is really in the senatorial dog house...until he can filibuster for three days and keep Loganberry from making those changes to the legaslature!

The Song and Dance: Hope is backed by a great supporting cast in one of the rare Broadway adaptations of the 40's to be a fairly accurate adaptation of the original. It's so accurate, Bordoni, Zorina, and Moore repeat their original roles. Gorgeous production, too. It was his first color film, and Paramount really threw everything they had into it. We even get a fashion show mid-way through when Jim insists on showing off the latest fashions to impoverished Marina. Moore takes top honors as the rigid politician who is so into his job, he barely knows anything but what goes on at Capitol Hill. 

Probably the most famous moment from this today is Hope's filibuster in the end. It's hilarious, with him reading everything from Gone With the Wind to Goldilocks and the Three Bears to keep everyone from leaving. Hope has a great time with it, especially towards the end as it's becoming obvious Jim is burning out. 

Favorite Number: We open with the "Lawyer's Letter" and "It's New to Us," possibly the first and only time in film history that a musical began with a chorus routine that says "this is fiction, don't sue us." We don't get another number until nearly half-way in, but it's the sweet "You're Lonely and I'm Lonely" as Zorina begins to realize that Loganberry isn't really a bad guy. Beatrice (Dona Drake), one of Madame's girls, joins the chorus for the title song at the Mardi Gras parade. "Dance With Me Tonight at the Mardi Gras" says Zorina in a lavish ballet as she and dancer Charles Laskey pirouette around the ballroom. 

The film's best number was also its only hit on Broadway. "It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow" begins with black waiters cleaning up in the kitchen, singing about their hopes for a new day. Jim, stripped of his king's costume after Marina turns on him, sings along, but his heart isn't really in it. It's a simple but effective moment in an otherwise overstuffed movie.

Trivia: Gaxton, Moore's usual stage partner, played Hope's role on Broadway.

The Broadway show ran almost two years, not bad for the early 40's. It largely vanished until a concert version with the complete score played Carnegie Hall in 1996.

What I Don't Like: There's a reason this disappeared for fifty years. The political satire was amusing then, but largely hasn't dated well. I wish it was even more of a musical. There were more songs on Broadway that are only used as underscoring in the film. They could have gone a long way towards fleshing out other characters, like the corrupt senators and Beatrice. Zorina had at least one more ballet that gave her more opportunity to show off her real talents, too. She never was much of an actress. Berlin's songs are far from  his best, with only "Lovely Day Tomorrow" coming anywhere near his more famous work. 

The Big Finale: Mainly for major fans of Hope, Berlin, or big Technicolor 40's and 50's musicals. 

Home Media: DVD only as part of the Universal Vault Series.

DVD

Election Day Special - Nashville (1975)

Paramount, 1975

Starring Ronee Blakley, Keith Carradine, Lily Tomlin, Henry Gibson, and many others

Directed by Robert Altman

Music and Lyrics by Richard Baskin and the cast

While you wait for the election results to come in, here's a unique slice of life comedy-drama. This may be the definitive Altman movie. He specialized in large casts with often improvised sequences, musical numbers performed by the casts, overlapping dialogue, set (and frequently filmed) in real-life locations. Many of the situations in the film were inspired by screenwriter Joan Tewksbury's experiences as an outsider in the Music City; others were improvised on the set by Altman. How does this commentary on American life in the mid-70's look now, during an even more tumultuous time? Let's begin in the recording studio with country star Haven Hamilton (Gibson) recording a big patriotic number for America's bicentennial and find out...

The Story: The lives of Music City residents entwine during a five-day period leading up to a big political rally for an ultra-conservative independent party candidate. Superstar Barbara Jean (Blakely) returns to Nashville in a fragile state. Her abusive manager husband Barnett (Allen Garfield) told everyone she's recovering from burn accidents, but that proves to be far from the case. Even when she's out of the hospital after collapsing on her arrival, she's far from stable. Connie Blake (Karen Black) is her rival and former friend. 

Gospel singer Linnea Reece (Tomlin) has an affair with folk performer Tom Frank (Carradine), but she won't leave her deaf children. Frank's making love with almost every other woman in the cast as well, including newly arrived groupie "L.A Joan" (Shelley Duvall), BBC reporter Opal (Geraldine Chaplin), and his married band mate Mary (Cristina Raines). Joan's uncle Mr. Green (Keenan Wynn) can't get her to his late wife's funeral and ends up bonding with a Vietnam vet (Scott Glenn) who came to see Barbara Jean.

Former housewife Albuquerque (Barbara Harris) and waitress Sueleen (Gwen Welles) are singing hopefuls, but only one has actual talent. And then there's Kenny (David Hayward), the young man with the guitar case who rents a room from Mr. Green and seems to be on the fringes of everything...

The Song and Dance: The cast alone makes this worth seeing. Everyone not only did their own singing, but most of them wrote or collaborated on their songs as well. Stand-outs include Tomlin's precious moments signing with her children and tearing up the floor with the gospel choir, Blakely's emotionally lost Barbara Jean, Harris' adorable scrappy wanna-be singer, Gibson as the fussy old-style country star, and Duvall's saucy, barely-clothed vamp. Chaplin gets a few hilarious monologues as the Brit who wants to know everything about this wild American music. Some of the set pieces, like the car pile-up and the tragic finale, are especially effective at showing how music and life converge.  

Favorite Number: The big one here is the Oscar-winning ballad "I'm Easy," written and performed twice by Carradine. It's a perfect reflection of Frank's laid-back attitude towards life and his relationships. Blakley also does well by her own material, with "My Idaho Home" and "Tapedeck In His Tractor" at the aborted Opry Belle concert and "Down to the River" the standouts. Gibson's big song is the ultra-patriotic American history number "200 Years" in the opening, along with the intentionally cheesy "For the Sake of the Children" and the bouncy "Keep A' Goin'."  

Karen Black isn't in much of the movie, but she still manages to make an  impression with her Grand Ol' Opry numbers "Memphis," "Rolling Stone," and "I Don't Know But I Found It In You." Tomlin really gets the gospel group going in the opening credits with "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and gets the rousing "Yes, I Do" later. The movie ends with "It Don't Worry Me," written by Carradine and lauded to the literal skies by Harris during the tragic finale. The cast continues it during the end credits. 

Trivia: The nifty opening credits are based after the TV commercials for the rock and country compilation records that were popular in the 70's and 80's. 

Much of the film was improvised, with the actors and actresses adding their own dialogue and staying in character during breaks. 

Elliot Gould and Julie Christie only have cameos because they were passing through Nashville at the time. 

Filmed in and around the real Nashville, including the actual Grand Ol' Opry, the Nashville International Airport, a cabin where Altman lived during filming, and the Exit/In, a still-existing night club. Apparently, a lot of real Nashville musicians weren't thrilled with it at the time - they wanted their music to be used. 

All of the musical performances are live concert stagings. 

What I Don't Like: Like his later Popeye, this is not for those who aren't into Altman's epic ensemble films. Nor is it for those who prefer less complicated, more linear films with stronger plots. Many people may see it as much ado about nothing, especially those who aren't fans of politics or country music. It also seems to go on forever, particularly in the second half when the emphasis is more on the affairs and romances. 

The Big Finale: Possibly Altman's best movie, and one of the best movies of the 1970's. Highly recommended for fans of country music, Altman, epic ensemble pieces, or any of the stars involved. 

Home Media: Easily available on disc and streaming. (The Blu-Ray is a special edition from the Criterion Collection.) 

DVD

Blu-Ray

Amazon Prime (Buy Only) 

Election Day Special - Of Thee I Sing

CBS, 1972

Starring Carroll O'Connor, Cloris Leachman, Jack Gilford, and Michelle Lee

Directed by Roger Beatty, Dave Powers, and Dick Hall

Music by George Gershwin; Lyrics by Ira Gershwin

While we wait for the election results to come in, here's a rare bit of TV history. George and Ira Gershwin collaborated with playwrights Morrie Ryskind and George S. Kaufman on the original Broadway show in 1931, casting a jaundiced eye on the American political scene of the time, throwing musical darts at everything from vague political promises to the uselessness of the vice-presidency. Do those darts still hit the mark in the even darker climate of the early 70's, or should this candidate be sent packing? Let's start with a soundstage Washington DC with a campaign parade in honor of candidate John P. Wintergreen (O'Connor) and find out...

The Story: Wintergreen's handlers need to give him a platform, a hook that the country can care about that will propel him into the White House. When they ask a maid what she cares about, she first says "money," but then admits that it's "love." They agree to run on a platform of "love" and hold a beauty pageant to find a bride for Wintergreen. He's perfectly capable of finding his own bride in his secretary Mary Turner (Leachman). 

The winner, southern belle Diana Deveraux (Lee) is so crushed, she sues Wintergreen for breach of promise. Her daddy, one of Wintergreen's lackeys (Jim Backus) insists that the south will secede if Wintergreen remains in the White House. Meanwhile, no one can remember the name of vice-presidential candidate Alexander Throttlebottom (Gilford), or even really want him around...until he needs to preside over the Senate in the impeachment trials. 

The Song and Dance: Now this is musical satire done right. It's what It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman tried and failed to do three years later. In fact, the productions are very similar - cartoony sets, updated script, cast largely culled from sitcom stars of the time. Here, though, the Gershwin songs are pretty much left alone, and another from the stage sequel Let Them Eat Cake, "Mine," is added.  Leachman in particular is a revelation as sensible Mary, Lee's a riot as the jilted southern belle who tries to lie her way into Wintergreen's arms (and the White House), and Gilford's adorable as the political candidate who is so colorless, he can't even get into the White House without taking the tour.

Favorite Number: We kick off with that campaign parade as the chorus and their picket signs introduce us to "Wintergreen for President." "Who Is the Lucky Girl to Be?" takes us to the pageant in Atlantic City, as photographers are more interested in "The Dimple On My Knee" than anything political. Wintergreen's secretary Sam Jenkins (Garrett Lewis) and Mary's secretary Miss Benson (Shirley Kirkes) dance with the chorus in front of Madison Square Garden as they announce that "Love is Sweeping the Country" along with Wintergreen's feelings for Mary. 

Wintergreen proposes to Mary at the Garden (for the 47th time) with his campaign song, "Of Thee I Sing, Baby." They're so in love that their response to Diana's breach of promise suit is "Who Cares?" Gilford gets to have fun with the rhyming names of "The Senatorial Roll Call," while Diana wails she was "Jilted" (while capering in a skimpy polka-dot bathing suit) at the impeachment trial.

Trivia: The original production was a huge success, running two years at the height of the Great Depression and becoming the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama. It would be the Gershwins' longest-running stage success in George's lifetime. It was revived briefly on Broadway in 1933, just before Let Them Eat Cake debuted. That was a surprise flop, maybe because it involved the US being invaded and turned into a dictatorship. Of Thee I Sing saw a brief and unsuccessful revival in 1952. Neither show's been on Broadway since, but Of Thee has turned up on regional stages and as an Encores! concert in 2006. 

What I Don't Like: First of all, the cardboard sets and stagey production makes it more than obvious that this was made for 70's TV. Second, O'Connor does look like a political candidate and sings decently, but he otherwise seems out of place in a romantic leading man role or as a rube mayor thrown into big-time politics. I also wish the script hadn't cut out some of the cuter gags, like Mary winning John over with her corn muffins or the French ambassador throwing a fit because Diana is a very, very, very distant relative of Napoleon.

The Big Finale: This was so cute, I have no idea why this is the only filmed production of this show to date. Highly recommended viewing on Election Day evening if you're a fan of the Gershwins or any of the comedians involved, or are just looking for a different political satire to check out. 

Home Media: At press time, this rarity can only be found on YouTube.

YouTube

Election Day Special - Call Me Madam

20th Century Fox, 1953

Starring Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen, and George Saunders

Directed by Walter Lang

Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin

While you wait for the returns to come in, here's a lively political tale to check out. This is one of only two times Merman got to recreate one of her Broadway roles on film. (The other is the rarely-seen 1936 version of Anything Goes.) Even Hollywood had to admit that no one else could get away with playing Mrs. Sally Adams, a widow who becomes the ambassador for a tiny European principality, with quite the same relish. How does she do alongside smooth Sanders and sweet O'Connor? Let's start in Washington DC, as Sally is being sworn in, and find out...

The Story: Sally's political connections gets her the job as the ambassador to tiny Litchenburg in Europe, even though she's the wealthy daughter of an Oklahoma oil driller who knows nothing about diplomacy. Kenneth Nelson (O'Connor), an out-of-work reporter, convinces her to bring him along as her press attache.

They arrive in Litchenburg to be greeted by the head of the Embassy Pemberton Maxwell (Billy De Wolfe), a fussy fellow who doesn't think much of Sally or her abilities. Prime Minister Sebastian (Steven Garay) and Grand Duke Otto (Ludwig Stossel) are hoping to get a huge loan from the US. They want Otto's niece Princess Maria (Vera-Ellen) to have a large enough dowry to marry Prince Hugo (Helmut Dantine). Foreign Minister Cosmo Constantine (George Saunders) would prefer his country to stay independent and self-sufficient...but the last thing he expected was to fall for Sally. Ken ends up in love with Maria as well, but she's still expected to go through with her political alliance.

The Song and Dance: This one is all about the numbers and a fairly unusual and then-topical story. Indeed, it's inspired by a real Washington hostess, Pearl Mesta, who was the ambassador to Luxembourg in the 1940's. Merman relishes her rare chance to be in the spotlight on film, not only clowning with O'Connor and doing some nice comedy bits with the stuffy ministers, but getting to play romance with smooth Saunders, too. O'Connor and Vera-Ellen are delightful as the younger lovers and DeWolfe has some funny bits as the head of the Embassy who thinks he knows everything about dealing with the locals. The colorful, Oscar-nominated costumes, in Washington and Litchenburg, add a great deal to the European charm-meets-American vivacity feel.

Favorite Number: We open with Merman explaining to the press how she got her new job - by being "The Hostess With the Mostess On the Ball." "It's a Lovely Day Today" is initially a cute duet for Maria and Kenneth when they meet in a department store. They later perform a gorgeous pas de deux to an instrumental version at the ball around a sparkling fountain. The day after the ball, O'Connor wonders why he feels like he does. Merman tells him "You're Just In Love" in what's probably this show's biggest hit. Maria joins the chorus for a colorful peasant dance at the fair to the melody of that most European of instruments, "The Octarina." Frustrated after Maria turns him down at the fair, Kenneth dances drunkenly around a beer garden - and nearly destroys the place - wondering "What Chance Have I With Love?" 

Trivia: Call Me Madam debuted on Broadway in 1950, with Russell Nype as Kenneth, Paul Lukas as Cosmo, and Galina Talva as Maria. It was a huge hit that ran almost three years, with Merman playing the whole run. It also did fairly well on the West End for such a red-blooded American show, running a year and a half with Billie Worth as Sally Adams. Interestingly, though it was revived briefly in London in 1983, the only time it's been seen in New York since it's initial run was in two (admittedly well-received) off-Broadway Encores! concerts in 1995 and 2019. 

What I Don't Like: Part of the reason it's now rarely seen on major stages is the story hasn't dated that well. Nowadays, I doubt any country in Europe would be asking for a loan - or anything else - from the US, and a lot of those peasant costumes and weird accents could be seen as European stereotypes. And why is Maria and Kenneth's second big duet, "Something to Dance About," set in a dark passage? It's too dreary a setting for the delightfully cheerful choreography.

The Big Finale: Dated story aside, if you love Merman, O'Connor, or Vera-Ellen or are a fan of the big Broadway adaptations of the 50's and 60's, you'll want to look out for this one.

Home Media: Unavailable on video and hard to find for years, it was finally released on DVD in 2004...which, at press time, is still the only way you can see this one.

DVD

Election Day Special - Let Freedom Ring

MGM, 1939
Starring Nelson Eddy, Victor McLaughlin, Virginia Bruce, and Lionel Barrymore
Directed by Jack Conway
Music and lyrics by various

While we wait for the election returns to come in, here's an unusual western tale from 1939. Nelson Eddy got his first and only vehicle without a female partner at MGM in this Zorro-esque western. Does it come off as a stirring action-packed adventure, or should it be run out of town? Let's head to the hills with the lovely Maggie Adams (Virginia Bruce) as she contemplates the arrival of the railroad and find out...

The Story: Lawyer Steve Logan (Eddy) returns home from college to discover that railroad baron Jim Knox (Edward Arnold) has been buying up more land than he needs for his tracks and driving out local farmers. His father, Tom Logan (Barrymore), expects him to the the champion for the farmers, but he claims it would be impossible to fight the railroads. Steve is friendly with Knox and his immigrant workers, including head foreman Chris Mulligan (McLaughlin), singing sentimental Irish songs for them. In reality, he poses as the Wasp to kidnap the town's newspaper editor (Raymond Walden) and force him to print the truth about Knox and his workers. When the immigrants read the paper, they start to question Knox and his business practices.

Matters come to a head at the local Election Day celebration. Steve has to convince the workers that they have the right to vote as they choose, convince Mulligan that his boss is a crook, and keep them from destroying his family's farm. It'll take help from the estranged Maggie and his goofy friend "The Mackerel" (Charles Butterworth) to finally prove to the town that the true meaning of liberty is defending our rights...including our right to vote.

The Song and Dance: I'd only heard about this in books on Eddy and his frequent partner Jeanette MacDonald before a few years ago. It's too bad. If you love pulp-y, Lone Ranger-style westerns or are a fan of Eddy, this is quite a bit of fun. Eddy does all of the singing, and he does get to throw his lush tenor into a range of sentimental and popular songs, from "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" to "Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair." There's a nice supporting cast, too, including Arnold as the affably evil railroad man and Barrymore as the strong-willed farmer who is determined to keep his family's land.

Favorite Number: Eddy performs "Love Serenade" at Arnold's request. It had apparently been Steve and Maggie's love song, but the look on her face when he performs it after she believes he's become a coward is pure disgust and disappointment. "Pat, Sez He" becomes a fun dance number at the bar when Steve is trying to convince McLaughlin that he's on the side of the railroad. "Where Else But Here," Steve's rousing number at the Election Day rally, is the only song written directly for the film. Maggie finally gets the crowd's attention - and reminds them that we're all Americans, no matter where we come from - with "My Country 'Tis of Thee."

What I Don't Like: Eddy's not much better with the heavier dramatics than he is in his movies with MacDonald, and his fight scenes with the much larger McLaughlin are far from believable. Bruce is stiff in a dull "love interest" role; her so-so singing ability eliminates any duets.

While the movie has good intentions, all the talk about the rights of Americans to do what they please and the references to educating "foreigners" can come off as a tad condescending and way too preachy. A lot of it probably stems from many people's concerns about the war going on in Europe and Asia at the time.

The Big Finale: If you love Eddy, patriotic stories, or old-fashioned pulp westerns, you'll want to give this unusual operetta gem your vote.

Home Media: Available via the Warner Archives and on several streaming companies.

DVD
Amazon Prime

Election Day Special - The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

Disney, 1968
Starring Leslie Ann Warren, Buddy Ebsen, Walter Brennan, and John Davidson
Directed by Michael O'Herlihy
Music and Lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman

While you wait for the election results to come in, here's an unusual politics-themed musical from Disney to tide you over. Seeing the popularity of big musicals in the 1960's, Walt made four during the decade. We already saw one, Summer Magic, back in September. Family Band had more of an uphill climb to begin with. It's development began just as Walt passed away, and by the time it came out, musicals were beginning to fall out of favor with moviegoers. Let's head to Nebraska to see if this tale of a family getting involved in the infamous contested election of 1888 is worthy of our vote...

The Story: The Bowery family are farmers who double as a brass band in the Midwest in 1888. Grandpa (Brennan), a devoted Democrat, is delighted when they win a trip to the Democratic Convention to nominate Grover Cleveland. Oldest daughter Alice (Warren) is more interested in Joe Carver, the good-looking newspaper publisher (Davidson) she's been exchanging letters with. Joe persuades the family to give up their trip in favor of moving to the Republican-dominated Dakota Territory.

Feisty Grandpa's opinions and his insistence on keeping Dakota one state doesn't go over well with the other citizens of the town. They would prefer to vote for Benjamin Harrison, who would split the territory in two and send four Republican senators to Congress. When Grandpa takes over for Alice for a day in school and teaches the kids about his opinions, the entire town winds up being up in arms. Calvin (Buddy Ebsen), the head of the family, sends Grandpa away until he apologizes. Alice splits with Joe over his feelings on Grandpa and the Democrats as well.

There's surprises galore on the night of the election, which doesn't go as anyone expects. When a riot starts during the town's Election Day party, it's the Family Band who reminds the townspeople that there's a time to fight, and a time to join together, no matter which side of the political divide you're on.

The Song and Dance: Brennan's the stand-out here as the strong-willed old man who is determined to make his opinions be heard and show others that they can have a voice, too. I also like a blustery Wally Cox as the head of the school board and the Republican party in town and Buddy Ebsen and Janet Blair as the Bower parents. The cinematography, especially during the dance numbers and when they're traveling to the Dakota Territory, is also quite lovely.

Favorite Number: There's three really fun chorus dance routines here, the Family Band's "Ten Feet Off the Ground" and "Let's Put It Over With Grover" in the beginning and "West O' the Wide Missouri" performed by the townspeople at the Election Day party near the end. The high spirits in "Ten Feet," coupled with this being the movie's best song, makes it a highlight. Goldie Hawn (in her first film) has a nice dance-off with Warren in "Missouri." Warren and Davidson get one of the Sherman Brothers' rare love songs about mid-way through the movie, the charming "'Bout Time."

Trivia: According to Wikipedia, this was supposed to have been at least a half-hour longer. Two solos for Calvin and Katie, "Westerin'" and "I Couldn't Have Dreamed It Better," were cut for the film's run at Radio City Music Hall. The footage seems to have since been lost, although sheet music does exist.

What I Don't Like: A contested election is a pretty strange subject for a musical, and the music does get lost amid the political wrangling at times, especially during the middle part with Grandpa and the school. Not to mention, you might not get a lot of what's going on if you don't know anything about American history, especially the history of the West and the push to the western states. Despite this being about the family, the other kids besides Alice barely register. Davidson is a bit on the dull side as the supposedly strong-minded newspaper man (although his "Dakota" is appropriately stirring).

The Big Finale: This charming musical has some great numbers and decent performances that (almost) make up for the thin and occasionally dull plot. Look it up if you need something fun and unusual for your own family band to watch on Election Day.

Home Media: The solo DVD for this one that I own is out of print, but can be found for fairly cheap. (And alas, unlike Summer Magic, it's in fullscreen.) You may be better off picking it up as part of a four-movie "Classics" set that also includes the fantasies The Gnome Mobile and Darby O'Gill and the Little People and the previous Warren-Davidson musical The Happiest Millionaire.

DVD
Disney 4-Movie Collection: Classics DVD