Vashirdfel
Simply A Masterpiece
Steineded
How sad is this?
Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
djhbooklover
I saw this show on stage in San Francisco when it was on a national tour in 1959. I had been a movie fan since 1940 and a theatre lover since 1950 I saw the movie with my wife later that year having heard the original Broadway cast recording numerous times previously. Obviously we love the show and the movie came as close as possible to capture the stage production. Having read the comics all my earlier life I was familiar with Al Capp and his satire. There were only a few transfers of hit shows from Broadway to movies in that era which included original cast members. Two I enjoyed and own copies on DVD or VCR are NEW FACES OF 1952 and WHERE'S CHARLEY?. Gerald Bordman in American MUSICAL THEATRE A CHRONICLE (1978) says it ran almost 700 performances on Broadway in the late fifties. I certainly understand that movies do not always please viewers but the great majority of reviewers on this site are enthusiastic and have very ably described the many qualities which are apparent in this production. The success of this musical undoubtedly paved the way for the creation of ANNIE.
clint9laing
When "bkoganbing" (of Buffalo) calls Charles E. Wilson a "flannelmouth" it is clear where he stands, but he is sustaining a lie and a slander against Charles E. Wilson. Mr. Wilson was truly one of America's finest business leaders: not only did he start on the assembly line for GM but, even when he was CEO, he kept his Union card framed and on the wall of his office. He DID NOT SAY what that other poster said he said, during his confirmation hearings. He was asked about what effect some legislation or other (or policy) would have on GM. Wilson replied that "it would be good for America. And what's good for America is good for General Motors." The small, silly, anti-capitalistic journalists of that day jumped on the chance to rewrite that testimony and slander one of America's best. Pres. Eisenhower was a great judge of character, and he knew what a great man Wilson was. Shame on the previous poster for sustaining this lie.
wnterstar
This fun musical is a treat to watch. It's clever and silly and exuberant. It is filled with great musical number and actually has a fairly decent plot. And of course, it has my favorite things in it: singing, dancing and a happy ending! There are a number of memorable performances. I mean, who is going to forget Billie Hayes Mammy Yokum declaring "I has spoken!", or Epassionata Von Climax's (Stella Stevens)mantra "What's in it for me?" The supporting roles were all so colorful and wonderful (I still laugh every time Evil Eye Fleagle scurries into a scene!) And we must not forget one of the best non-speaking roles ever, Stupifying Jones (Julie Newmarz).So if you want to enjoy an almost perfect musical with a few genuine belly laughs along the way, then this is the musical for you!
rube2424
Li'l Abner is certainly not a great musical, but it sure is fun. The color on the new DVD is outrageous and just garish enough to bring the comic book quality of the proceedings delightfully to life. (The transfer is sharp as they come as well!) Probably the best part of the film is that from scene one you know that you are watching a filmed stage play. There is no attempt to "open it up" and make the film realistic, and, in that way, we have the closest we can come to what the Broadway edition must have looked like. Yes, some of the topicality is now flat as are some of the jokes, but with Stubby Kaye, Peter Palmer and Stella Stevens in the cast, who cares. Singin' In The Rain it ain't, but taken on its own, Li'l Abner is a delightful couple of hours.
