Dear Reader: We’re probably going to lose all credibility after sharing our view of today’s movie, The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957).
We can’t help it. We liked it.
Wait – hear us out. This made-for-TV extravaganza, based on the medieval legend, was filmed in three-strip Technicolor, with impressive sets and costumes. Plus, there are lots of Toe-Tapping Tunes!
And get this. It stars Claude Rains as the amoral mayor of Hamelin, and Van Johnson in dual roles: (1) an upright/honest citizen of Hamelin; and (2) the flamboyant Pied Piper.
Now, if you look at the user reviews on IMDb.com, you’ll see lots o’ love for this quirky flick, from those who adored it as a child to those who see its unintentional(?) camp appeal.
The thing is, this film shouldn’t work. For example, characters speak in lumpy, uneven rhymes. Sometimes the language flows, and sometimes it don’t.
Then there is Johnson’s love interest, played by Lori Nelson, who is far too movie-star glam for this role.
Yet, there are moments of real pathos, such as the young lad left behind when the other children disappear with the Piper. “Please! Take me with you!” he cries in anguish.
The script has plenty of amusing lines – most of which are, rightly, given to Rains. In one scene, Rains-as-Mayor sits at a banquet table, sampling wine and delicacies. “Ah, the burdens of office,” he sighs.
This production of The Pied Piper of Hamelin sounds silly, and it is. But it works because the actors are committed to the fantasy, and they show no hint of irony or self-consciousness.
That includes Van Johnson, who must, must be credible in his dual roles. This he is able to do, without Breaking a Sweat.
Claude Rains (right), the Smartest Man in the Room. Image: Wikipedia
Johnson was a big star in the 1940s and 1950s. Although by 1957 his career was starting to wane, just a bit, this movie proves he still had It, meaning star quality and talent, as evidenced by The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Van Johnson #1 here is earnest and forthright, a man with a social conscience and the courage of his convictions. He is the opposite of Rains’s character, a buffoon who believes nothing is more valuable than Prestige.
Van Johnson #2, as the Pied Piper, is a treat to watch in his swishy red-and-yellow costume and slick charm. His scenes with Rains are delightful, especially since we the audience know what the Pied Piper is capable of, while Rains, the poor slob, does not.
Also: The Piper has the upper hand because kids love and trust him, which, as you know, leads to their downfall.
When Van Johnson #2 leads the children out of town, in a scene eerily similar to his escorting the rats, he seems menacing, but the actor doesn’t push it too far. His approach is All Business. His character believes the mayor put him in an untenable position and That is That.
Even though the townsfolk remark on the physical similarity between the two Van Johnsons, the personalities couldn’t be more dissimilar. He makes us believe they are two different people.
The Piper doesn’t get mad; he gets even. Image: Refinersfire
The Pied Piper of Hamelin was one of several musical television specials produced for family audiences in the 1950s. Many of these specials were televised live, but this movie was shot on film. It was directed by Bretaigne Windust, a French theatre and film director.
The script is based on the poem by Robert Browning, and the book was written by TV producer Hal Stanley and songwriter/composer Irving Taylor. It originally aired on NBC during the 1957 American Thanksgiving season, then again in 1958. Thereafter, it was syndicated and became a holiday staple on many U.S. television stations.
The movie is in the public domain now, which may be why there has never been (or ever will be?) a restored version.
Even so, the YouTube version we watched is still worth it. The quality does not diminish the value of the script or the actors’ performances.
Besides, Claude Rains and Van Johnson are always fabulous, restored or not.
♣
This post is part of the The 4th VAN JOHNSON Blogathon, hosted by Maddy Loves her Classic Films.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin: starring Van Johnson, Claude Rains, Lori Nelson. Directed by Bretaigne Windust. Written by Hal Stanley & Irving Taylor. Hal Stanley Productions, 1957, Technicolor, 89 mins.
Silver Screenings 
Haven’t seen it, but it sounds as though I would like it a lot. I remember him in A Guy Called Joe and In The Good Old Summertime. Very enjoyable movies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always like Van Johnson. I think he’s a much better actor than he’s often given credit for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had this on tape years ago and, loving it as a child, I foisted upon my own children. Naturally, being my children and having a great discernment regarding entertainment of yesteryear, they became fans as well. However, we haven’t watched it together in years. I shall have to find a way to make that happen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I knew your children would have superb taste in the screen arts. I hope you do get the chance to enjoy this again as a family.
LikeLike
I remember watching this as a kid! It wasn’t on par with Mary Martin’s Peter Pan or even Rodger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, but it was certainly enjoyable. I always thought it was a nice, dark children’s tale. Thanks for reminding me about it.
LikeLike
Ha, wow. Can’t say I’ve even heard of this, let alone seen it. But if it’s got Claude Rains, it can’t be too bad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Get this: Claude Rains SINGS in this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😳🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never heard of this film! But I just had a vague memory that I was in a school play of this story. I assume I was a towns person.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw! That was probably a wonderful school production.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it was, or I feel sorry for all the parents who had to watch it 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
A love interest in this.. I don’t remember that from my bedtime stories. This sounds a crazy film
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes, I don’t remember a love interest, either. But I guess they figured if you’re staging a Van Johnson Extravaganza, you might as well go all the way. Like you said, this is a crazy film, but it’s oddly charming, too.
LikeLike
It definitely sounds intriguing from your splendid take on it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
this was my 45th Van movie and I surprisingly loved it a lot! he was so charming and his antics as the Piper made me giggle
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s fab as the Pied Piper, isn’t he? I wish I’d seen this sooner.
You’ve seen 45 Van movies?! Good on you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
48 now! haha, my proudest accomplishment for the year
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! That is AWESOME!! You are a genuine Van Johnson completist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can hardly picture Pied Piper as an argument for a family movie, I think it’s such a sad and creepy tale, as Atom Egoyan pointed out well in The Sweet Tomorrow… Nevertheless I will give it a try, of course, how could I not be longing to hear Claude Rains singing??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny how it’s considered a children’s folk tale, isn’t it? But I hope you’re able to find this adaptation, if only to see Claude Rains in action.
LikeLike
This film has been covered every year I have hosted my Van blogathon, but I FINALLY made the time to watch it last night and I was downright delighted. Your review is spot-on. Claude Rains was just fabulous and Van was perfection. Although he starred in a lot of musicals, he actually didn’t sing on film a lot, so this was a real treat.
Thanks so much for contributing to my event!
LikeLike
Van Johnson *and* Claude Rains. I’m sold, lol. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! This is the movie you didn’t know you needed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. Totally geeking out here. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haven’t seen this one, but you make me want to! Sounds really fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a good time. Plus, Claude Rains SINGS!
LikeLike
You don’t lose any credibility with me. This film sounds like a hoot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Thanks. This film is a lot of fun. You just have to go with it.
LikeLike
I have loved this film for years, since I watched it with my mother on TV when I was young (early 70s). The Mayor’s remark about the “burdens of office” is my favourite line in the film, perfectly delivered as only Rains could. Great flick, I’ve probably have seen it 15 times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is completely awesome. Your comment has made my day!
LikeLike
I’ve seen the movie! It’s a little too long, I think, I would have taken away a couple of songs, but it was fun. It has a different ending from the original tale, and it couldn’t be different in a family movie like this one, but it was also a little disappointment: the Pied Piper has become a Mary Poppins! He taught parents to value the time they spend with their children and left… Anyway it was worth it and I had a couple good laughs. And Claude Rains not only sings, he dances too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! The Pied Piper as Mary Poppins – hilarious! Isn’t Claude Rains fun in this musical role?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, funny indeed! I believe he was actually having a very good time on that set 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This utterly terrified me when I was 5! Nightmare fuel for the easily scared!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you. If I saw this as a 5 year old, I’d be frightened, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person