Brigadoon

I was recently able to see this, and was thrilled by it. It is far superior to the MGM film version. It was produced on videotape, in color, and is a combination of actual outdoor filming, and interior studio shots, all of which blend together pretty well. The score is arranged by Irwin Kostal and it is gorgeously sung and played. Bob Mackie did some impressive costume designs. Best of all, the cast is perfect in every regard. The original script by Alan Jay Lerner, is adapted by someone else, and I believe they improved it. Most of the additions are comedy lines for Peter Falk's character. For instance, when he meets Meg (Marlyn Mason), she tells him, "Wait till you seem me in me dimity bodice". Jeff (Peter Falk) replies, "Yeah, I bet your bodice will be more dimity than anybody else's". Nothing is drastically changed scene- wise, but they rearranged the order of certain plot events. The choicest moments of the broadcast...Spunky Marlyn Mason singing "My Mother's Wedding Day", the glorious singing voices of Goulet and Sally Ann Howes, and Edward Vilella's fiery sword dance. Most of the score remains intact, including four more numbers than the MGM movie. The only major numbers missing here are Meg's "Love of My Life", the chorus' "Jeannies Packin Up", "Once In the Highlands", and "The Chase is really changed to an instrumental. Altogether a very memorable BRIGADOON. It is sad that this is not commercially available.

The entire "Brigadoon" can be downloaded legally for private use from www.archive.com, the website of the U.S. National Archives. Apparently the producers failed to renew the show's copyright and it fell into the Public Domain (disclaimers are posted on the website). It's a beautiful production consistent with mid-1960s TV syntax and is especially valuable for its long, unbroken takes where one can watch the actors actually construct a sustained performance. That said, the inevitable cuts to the book undermine the already-fragile premise of a village that comes back to life every hundred years. This "Brigadoon" needs to be watched with a knowledge of the original -- which was, itself, hard to swallow except for (sigh) romantics.

Like a previous commentor, I also remember seeing this in the late 60's, whether on it's first showing or a later one I'm not positive, but for over 30 years it's lived in my memory as a wonderful experience. Very different than the Hollywood version, this Brigadoon was quietly romantic and vividly atmospheric. With Robert Goulet and Sally Ann Howes, of course there was singing, but not in the Hollywood production number style. They sang with an inner power that didn't overpower; in fact, I had quite a crush on Robert Goulet after seeing this TV production. It evidently is not available for purchase anywhere, and I would dearly love to see this again.

I watched the movie in 196?. I believe it was a Hallmark production. I immediately sent for the vinyl record which I still have. It was one of the finest musical productions I have ever seen. Is there anything that can be done to convince them to show this wonderful movie again and make it available for purchase? I fell in love with Sally Ann Howes after seeing that movie. The entire cast was magnificent.I would love to see it again.Perhaps if enough people were to contact Hallmark they could be convinced to play it again on TV.Strangely enough I have never seen the Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse version but somehow I feel that it would not compare with this one.

I am 57 years old and remember enjoying this movie. It was presented by Armstrong (Circle Theater?) and I still have a copy of the 33 record album. Has anyone found a way to get a copy of the movie? I tried the searching Armstrong Circle Theater, but only got notes of the movie having been made. Perhaps should contact Armstrong Flooring. I can be reached at mistysynj001@hawaii.rr.com. Thank you.

Similarly, I am also looking for a copy of a movie called "Sergeants Three" which starred Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Junior, and Joey Bishop (the Rat Pack). It was a Western version of "Gunga Din," - almost word for word.