#464: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Director: Stanley Donen

Cast: Howard Keel & Jane Powell

It can be hard living in the wilderness of America's northwest in the 1850's, especially with out a missus around the house. Adam Pontipee is determined to take the long ride into town and find a bride by the end of the day. Somehow, he succeeds when he finds Milly. When she returns to his house, she is surprised to find that not only is she a bride, but she is also responsible for serving Adam's six younger brothers (each biblically named in alphabetical order based on age: Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frankincense [or Frank] and Gideon). Milly unsuccessfully attempts to civilize these rugged men of the outdoors and help them find themselves brides. Instead, they all kidnap women from the town and cause an avalanche to keep them at their home for the winter.

This is one of the cheesiest, strangest musicals I've ever seen. The plot is absolutely absurd, and the songs - while catchy - are remarkably cliché. The sets are also nothing to brag about. Most of the scenes have a painted backdrop, thanks to MGM's low faith in this film and sourcing most of their budget towards Brigadoon.

The choreography is what anyone should watch this film for. Michael Kidd may not have choreographed many well known films, but this film as well as his hit Hello, Dolly! are undoubtedly a great credit to his name. He uses the story and set to their fullest by actually using the dances to continue the story in the famous scene in which the six younger brothers are trying to impress their brides-to-be. I would include a clip here. But I can't find one.

From what I hear, this film is really best known by kids who grew up on this film. For me, it was just kind of weird.

Fun Trivia (Stolen from IMDB):

• The censors weren't too happy about the line in the song "Lonesome Polecat" where the brothers lament "A man can't sleep when he sleeps with sheep". By not showing any sheep in the same shot as the brothers, the film-makers were able to get away with it.
• Rehearsals for the barn-raising sequence took 3 weeks.
• For the brides costumes, designer Walter Plunkett went to the Salvation Army, found old quilts and turned them into dresses.
• Caleb says, "There was no 'F' names in the Bible, so Ma named him Frankincense, 'cause he smelled so sweet." However, there are in fact three "F" names in the Bible: Felix (referenced in Acts 24:27); Fes'tus (referenced in Acts 24:27, 25:1, 25:4, 25:9, 25:12, 25:13, 25:14, 25:22, 25:24, 26:24, 26:25, and 26:32); and Fortunatus (referenced in 1 Corinthians 16:17).

#490: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Johnny Depp & Helena Bonham-Carter

The legend of Sweeney Todd has uncertain origins. It's been claimed that Sweeney Todd is an historical character, though that allegation has been disputed. His first appearance was in a serial publication in the 1840's, though similar characters had been written of before this time.

Sondheim's version of the tale has two relationships: that of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett, and Todd's daughter Joanna and his shipmate Anthony. While Todd had been overseas serving his sentence for a false accusation, Joanna and his wife Lucy were taken under the charge of Judge Turpin. Soon after, Lucy commits suicide, and Joanna is locked up in her room at the Judge's house in what appears to be Mayfair. When Todd returns to his old flat, his downstairs neighbor, Mrs. Lovett relays the history of Joanna and Lucy. Todd seeks vengeance, rekindling his old barber shop, where he slits his client's throats and sends their corpses downstairs to use their meet in Mrs. Lovett's pie shop.

Under the art direction of Gary Freeman (Children of Men, Aeon Flux, and About a Boy), the film is a true spectacle. Sondheim's music is incredible, as well, though the choice of cast is dubious. None of the cast has much of a history in singing. The only singer that stands out is the young Ed Sanders, who plays Mrs. Lovett's newfound assistant in the pie shop. I certainly give Bonham-Carter credit for an enjoyable performance.

I maintain my position that Johnny Depp has lost credibility in recent years. He is certainly talented, as he's shown in his older films such as Benny & Joon, Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands. Since he's hit it big with Pirates of the Caribbean, I've found him to be lacking the effort he used to put in to his films, and it's come across as arrogance.

Sweeney Todd is just another example of using big names in a film which could be a fantastic opportunity for fresh faces, but Burton has a habit of constantly using the same actors. I also believe that today's audience has given Burton too much credit for this film, though the real praise should be given to Stephen Sondheim. I would much rather have seen Big Fish in this film's place, though it hasn't made the list at all.

Fun Trivia (Stolen from IMDB):

• Sam Mendes was originally attached to direct with Russell Crowe in the title role.
• This is the sixth Johnny Depp-Tim Burton collaboration. They previously madeEdward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and Corpse Bride (2005) together.
• For his audition, Sacha Baron Cohen sang the entire score of Fiddler on the Roof (1971) for director Tim Burton.
• Sweeney Todd and Ed Wood (1994) are the only two films in Tim Burton's directing career with music not composed by Danny Elfman.