Six of seven brothers in MGM red hair. Image: Medium
Sometimes films succeed, despite an enormous “As If” factor.
For example, As If there are people in spandex who fly around and fight crime, or a mysterious tropical island with a supersized gorilla.
However, movies are good at convincing us to suspend disbelief for the sake of a Good Time, and we’ve been mulling this over ever since we saw the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).
The film takes place in the Oregon Territory in 1850, where menfolk are Hard At Work clearing land, building fences, etc. But they need to delegate chores and produce a new generation, so they must enlist some Women.
Howard Keel stars as the oldest of seven wood-chopping-and-water-hauling brothers. On a Wife Hunting expedition to town, he meets waitress Jane Powell, and persuades her to marry him a mere hour later.
Inspired by Keel’s matrimonial success, the six younger brothers go Wife Shopping, too. Unsurprisingly, they meet six prospective brides, and they kidnap them à la the ill-fated Sabine Women of ancient Rome (who are discussed in the film, believe it or not). The women become trapped at the farm, thanks to an avalanche that conveniently blocks the mountain pass, and – you guessed it – these hapless women fall in love with the brothers.
We’ll leave it to the professionals to sort out any Stockholm-Syndrome issues; our focus is on the twin themes of the film, namely love and discord.
Keel and Powell: Marry in haste, repent at leisure. Image: IMDb
These are unorthodox love affairs, even, we suspect, in the pioneering wilderness, yet we can imagine there wasn’t much time for courting between chopping and hauling.
However, there was plenty of time for dancing, apparently, and this is where Seven Brides for Seven Brothers stands apart from so many musicals. The dance is innovative and original, and, as strange as this sounds, it feels organic to the Hollywood-as-Oregon wilderness.
Take a look at the famous Barn Raising scene, where characters hold a barn dance in an artful echo of the film.
The dance begins as innocent flirtation. However! The handsome brothers-just-down-from-the-mountain anger the townsmen. The men compete for the women’s attention, and soon the dance becomes a brawl.
Watch as they fight on raised wooden planks:
The result of three weeks’ rehearsals. Image: Cinema Cities
And look at this guy dancing with an axe, which probably isn’t real, but even so:
Here’s the thing about Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It was not adapted from a Broadway play; rather, it based on a short story, “The Sobbin’ Women” by Stephen Vincent Benet.
However, it did debut on Broadway in 1982, after a couple of start-and-stop American tours in the late 1970s. While critics in various states liked the touring show, New York critics hated it, and the production closed after just five performances.
Yet, in 1985, it opened in London’s West End for a six-week run, before moving to another West End theatre for an additional five-week engagement.
As for the 1954 film, it was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture, and it won Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.
You have to admire this film, not only for its choreography, but also for for its celebration of colour. MGM reduced the production budget to funnel resources to the upcoming Brigadoon (1954), which the studio thought would be a much Greater Movie (as if). So Brides filmmakers were reduced to using backdrops instead of actual on-location scenery. Yet, the backdrops are beautifully painted, and they reflect the optimistic Can-Do attitude of the film.
Then there are the fab Walter Plunkett costumes. Plunkett, if rumours are to be believed, found old quilts in a thrift store to make homespun dresses – much to the glee of the MGM accounting department.
We encourage you to give Seven Brides for Seven Brothers a go. The story is unlikely, and really dated, but the Barn-Raising dance and colourful cinematography are, in our opinion, worth the Price of Admission.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers: starring Jane Powell, Howard Keel, Jeff Richards. Directed by Stanley Donen. Written by Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, & Dorothy Kingsley. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1954, Colour, 102 mins.
I’ve said this before in other posts that I’m pretty picky with Musicals, but this one was pretty fun. A good old fashioned romance story done to music. My Mom loves the TV series version of the film.
Yes, there was a show, but the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers title didn’t make the transition from film to TV. The show was called Here Come the Brides and was about these two brothers who, to keep their 100 mine workers from quitting on them, bring 100 women to the camp as perspective girlfriends and wives. Here;s the IMDb page https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062569/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
I watched this movie with my father when I was a kid. I always loved musicals and of course I really enjoyed this movie at the time. I should watch it again now, so many years later, seeing it from an adult point of view.
This movie is really dated, but the technical aspects are gorgeous. I especially love the costumes. It would be interesting to see what you think of this film as an adult.
Great choice! You know I’m no huge musicals fan, but this is one of the ones I absolutely adore. I’m also not that deep, so I’m not at all bothered by (or actually even think about) the whole kidnapping women issue. The dancing in the film is outstanding, Jane Powell is delightful, and Howard Keel is at his hunkiest. And I met Ruta Lee in L.A. a few weeks ago! (Totally irrelevant, I know – I just wanted to throw that in.) Loved your post, Ruth!
I went to the Cinecon film festival earlier this month in L.A. — they had several honorees, including Mitzi Gaynor and George Chakiris — and Ruta Lee was there to present the Legacy Award to George Chakiris. She was at the opening night reception, just sitting there receiving people, so I introduced myself, and then went back and asked for a picture! She was the sweetest and coolest. Highlight of my whole trip!
Lots of eye candy in this film – I love how the filmmakers used colour. I loved the choreography so much, I re-wound some of the dance sequenes to watch again!
Wow! I had no idea this was based on a short story. Lots of fascinating history here!
The dancing makes me think of John Ford (of all people), because the dancing in his Westerns serves as a visual depiction of relationships. The interplay of family, friends, and community. 🙂
I have never seen this film all the way through–just the barn dance–but this review makes me want to fill in the blanks. The guys were amazing. Thanks again for joining the blogathon with this great review!
The barn dance is definitely the highlight, in my opinion, but there are many other treats too. It’s worth a watch – I’d be curious to hear what you think.
My mom loves Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! She recommended it to my brother and I and we both loved it too. Didn’t care then and don’t care now how dated it is. As you said, the dance scene at the barn raising is a good time all around.
I’ve seen this movie on a Christmas Holiday many years ago and remember having thought: “There’s too much singing and dancing in here!”. And I’m addicted to musicals. But this one… is too much for me. Even for Christmas.
I remember first watching this movie with an audience and liking it – something that stood to me at th time was a teenager in the audience, brought there by a gleeful grandmother. Surely, how I see some problematic themes in the film, but the dance, oh, this reamins a true spectacle.
Greetings!
Le
This post is a good reminder to work this into my “watch all the great old musicals again” rotation! It’s quite a little rave, as I recall. That clip of them dance-fighting on the planks makes me think that Russ Tamblyn might have gotten some pointers for “West Side Story” here.
Great review! I learned a lot about this movie by reading your article! If you’re interested, I’ll provide the links to my Fifth Broadway Bound Blogathon entries. I’ll also provide a link to my blogathon announcement.
I’ve seen this movie a few times and I like it because it’s a light hearted romance. Oh, and while the barn dance was fun, I am always happy to listen to Howard Keel’s rich bass-baritone voice.
I actually don’t think it is as dated as some people say. First, Powell is a pretty strong and smart woman (for 1800s). She alone decides to marry the guy, and eventually puts her chauvinistic and selfish husband, and his brothers, in their places. As for the kidnapping, I thought it was clear that the girls liked the boys from the get go, so I don’t think the Stockholm-Syndrome applies here. Just my opinion. Anyhow, it’s a wonderful musical with brilliant choreography and lovely music.
You make some very good points. This film has great music and clever choreography, as you mentioned, and Jane Powell is the absolute best choice for this role, in my opinion.
Love this fun review, thanks for the giggle and those captions are pitch perfect to.. now as for Stockholm Syndrome, think this probably effects love interests in movies more than real life…
Silver Screenings 
Great film in 1954; great film now.
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I didn’t expect to like it so much, and I didn’t expect it to be so well done – which sounds crazy because it’s an MGM product.
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I’ve said this before in other posts that I’m pretty picky with Musicals, but this one was pretty fun. A good old fashioned romance story done to music. My Mom loves the TV series version of the film.
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What?! A TV series based on the film? How did I not know about this? Details, please.
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Yes, there was a show, but the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers title didn’t make the transition from film to TV. The show was called Here Come the Brides and was about these two brothers who, to keep their 100 mine workers from quitting on them, bring 100 women to the camp as perspective girlfriends and wives. Here;s the IMDb page
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062569/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
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Thanks for the link. I was surprised to see Joan Blondell, but also very pleased she was nominated for 2 Emmys. Thanks again!
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I watched this movie with my father when I was a kid. I always loved musicals and of course I really enjoyed this movie at the time. I should watch it again now, so many years later, seeing it from an adult point of view.
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This movie is really dated, but the technical aspects are gorgeous. I especially love the costumes. It would be interesting to see what you think of this film as an adult.
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Hi. I’ve seen bits and pieces of this movie. I can’t say that they wowed me.
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The dance scenes are spectacular, I think. The movie would suffer if they weren’t there.
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Great choice! You know I’m no huge musicals fan, but this is one of the ones I absolutely adore. I’m also not that deep, so I’m not at all bothered by (or actually even think about) the whole kidnapping women issue. The dancing in the film is outstanding, Jane Powell is delightful, and Howard Keel is at his hunkiest. And I met Ruta Lee in L.A. a few weeks ago! (Totally irrelevant, I know – I just wanted to throw that in.) Loved your post, Ruth!
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What?! You met Ruta Lee? A few weeks ago? You meet so many famous people, which is amazing. How did you meet her?
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I went to the Cinecon film festival earlier this month in L.A. — they had several honorees, including Mitzi Gaynor and George Chakiris — and Ruta Lee was there to present the Legacy Award to George Chakiris. She was at the opening night reception, just sitting there receiving people, so I introduced myself, and then went back and asked for a picture! She was the sweetest and coolest. Highlight of my whole trip!
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As soon as i saw the title of this post, I all-but-knew what film this would be about….and I agree completely with your opinion of the movie.
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Lots of eye candy in this film – I love how the filmmakers used colour. I loved the choreography so much, I re-wound some of the dance sequenes to watch again!
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Wow! I had no idea this was based on a short story. Lots of fascinating history here!
The dancing makes me think of John Ford (of all people), because the dancing in his Westerns serves as a visual depiction of relationships. The interplay of family, friends, and community. 🙂
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Oh yeah – good point! I hadn’t thought of it.
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Last time I saw this movie would have to be forty years ago. Dammit! I have to go searching for a copy now.
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Hey, it would be interesting to know what you think of this film now vs then, seeing it years later.
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I have never seen this film all the way through–just the barn dance–but this review makes me want to fill in the blanks. The guys were amazing. Thanks again for joining the blogathon with this great review!
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The barn dance is definitely the highlight, in my opinion, but there are many other treats too. It’s worth a watch – I’d be curious to hear what you think.
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My mom loves Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! She recommended it to my brother and I and we both loved it too. Didn’t care then and don’t care now how dated it is. As you said, the dance scene at the barn raising is a good time all around.
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It’s a breathtaking scene, isn’t it? Sheer talent.
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I’ve seen this movie on a Christmas Holiday many years ago and remember having thought: “There’s too much singing and dancing in here!”. And I’m addicted to musicals. But this one… is too much for me. Even for Christmas.
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Haha! Well, if they didn’t include all the dancing, a person might see the thin storyline.
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I remember first watching this movie with an audience and liking it – something that stood to me at th time was a teenager in the audience, brought there by a gleeful grandmother. Surely, how I see some problematic themes in the film, but the dance, oh, this reamins a true spectacle.
Greetings!
Le
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I hear you about some of the themes in this film, but the dance is almost electrifying, isn’t it? Thanks for dropping by, Le.
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This post is a good reminder to work this into my “watch all the great old musicals again” rotation! It’s quite a little rave, as I recall. That clip of them dance-fighting on the planks makes me think that Russ Tamblyn might have gotten some pointers for “West Side Story” here.
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Haha! I love your description of the “little rave”. Perfect!
I have yet to see any version of West Side Story all the way through, but I’ll keep that in mind if I see it.
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Great review! I learned a lot about this movie by reading your article! If you’re interested, I’ll provide the links to my Fifth Broadway Bound Blogathon entries. I’ll also provide a link to my blogathon announcement.
https://18cinemalane.com/2022/09/24/redwood-curtain-from-stage-to-screen/
https://18cinemalane.com/2022/09/25/take-3-anna-and-the-king-review/
https://18cinemalane.com/2022/09/01/coming-to-a-tv-near-you-the-world-television-day-blogathon/
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Thanks for the links. I did enjoy your Redwood Curtain review, and I’ll drop by soon to read your review of Anna & the King.
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I’ve seen this movie a few times and I like it because it’s a light hearted romance. Oh, and while the barn dance was fun, I am always happy to listen to Howard Keel’s rich bass-baritone voice.
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Howard Keel has a magnificent voice, doesn’t he? It’s always a pleasure to hear him sing.
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I actually don’t think it is as dated as some people say. First, Powell is a pretty strong and smart woman (for 1800s). She alone decides to marry the guy, and eventually puts her chauvinistic and selfish husband, and his brothers, in their places. As for the kidnapping, I thought it was clear that the girls liked the boys from the get go, so I don’t think the Stockholm-Syndrome applies here. Just my opinion. Anyhow, it’s a wonderful musical with brilliant choreography and lovely music.
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You make some very good points. This film has great music and clever choreography, as you mentioned, and Jane Powell is the absolute best choice for this role, in my opinion.
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Love this fun review, thanks for the giggle and those captions are pitch perfect to.. now as for Stockholm Syndrome, think this probably effects love interests in movies more than real life…
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You’re probably right about that!
Thanks also for sending the Peter Pan link. I’m heading there right now.
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Do come back and tell me your thoughts on it, especially the performances.
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