The Pied Piper of Hamelin

I had never heard of this movie, and got a chance to see it for the very first time in a cheapie DVD edition. I marvel at the tremendous amount of obscure old films out there. An entire lifetime wouldn't be enough to know them all. While this one is problematic, on the whole I'm pleased to have discovered it, as I love finding these little-known byways of films past.

I agree that while this was originally conceived as a children's film, it would bore to death most kids today, having been desensitized by the blazingly fast pace of today's video and film styles. This is best appreciated as a bit of 1950s kitsch, and as such I find it an interesting museum piece. I was a bit puzzled by the lack of depth in much of the cinematography. It just didn't seem particularly cinematic, but looking it up at the IMDb and finding it to be a made-for-TV project sort of explained that to me. The look was dictated by the budget, and perhaps an idea that this shallow staging was best suited to the small screen circa 1957, which was very small indeed. As it was recorded on film rather than videotape, its origins as a TV production were not quite immediately apparent, but it's certainly an odd mixture of cinematic and television style.

What's been said below is true, i.e. garish primary colors, a clumsy sometimes-rhyming and sometimes-not script, saccharine sentimentalizing and simplistic moralizing. Some of the rhymes sound to be lifted from, or at least inspired by, the poem by Robert Browning originally published in 1887, "The Pied Piper of Hamelin: A Child's Story." Also, no doubt mandated by the demands of TV executives and/or sponsors, a happy ending is tacked on at the end which is quite unlike that of the original story. Regarding the odd name of Hamelin's unfortunate rival city, it seems to me that it was meant to be pronounced Hamel-OUT, as a simple (very simple) play on words (Hamel-IN and Hamel-OUT. In and out, get it? Har har!). Well, I guess they thought kids of the time would find that amusing.

It is an interesting idea to set a musical to tunes by Edvard Grieg, who produced an abundant supply of melodies. My guess is that this was inspired by the musical "Kismet" having used melodies by Alexander Borodin so effectively. Besides "Peer Gynt," there are tunes from Grieg's "Norwegian Dances" and his Piano Concerto. While the lyrics are hardly masterpieces, I did find it amusing to hear one of the Norwegian Dances adorned with the lyric "flim, flam, floom."

It's strange indeed to see chanteuse Kay Starr performing what sounds to me like a sultry torch song to lament the disappearance of her child. As the film was conceived as family entertainment, maybe this was thought to be something for the adults in the family, but the effect is just bizarre. I couldn't identify a Grieg melody in this song.

Van Johnson does a fine job in the dual roles of the Piper and Truson, the town civil libertarian and whistle-blower. More than addressing just the issue of human greed and deceit, the script seems a somewhat liberal take on the issues of free speech and the abuse of power in a democratic government. Good old Claude Rains seems to give his all in the role of the corrupt mayor of Hamelin, and though he's a bit long-in-the-tooth by then, he plays the part with relish and what seems to me total commitment. Good for him!

It seems to me that the main attractions of this film are its nostalgic and kitsch qualities, and if those attributes irritate you, you'd do well to avoid it, but it does have value as sort of a museum-piece curiosity, half video and half cinema, with some McCarthy-era liberalism thrown in. I'm glad to have discovered it.

"The Pied Piper of Hamlin" was one of the earliest musicals made for TV. It was a big success for NBC when broadcast over the Thanksgiving weekend in 1957. It became a TV holiday favorite after that for several years. No doubt, the film was much more highly regarded in its day than in modern times. Yet, it remains a good production, an interesting version of a famous tale and a fair musical.

This film is unusual in a number of ways. First, it's a film based on an ancient legend that became most famous with an 1842 poem of the same title, by Robert Browning. Second, its screenplay uses dialog of rhyme along the lines of that written by Browning in his poem. Third, it has a cast with some prominent actors of the day, most of whom had not made a musical before or who were little known for singing. For these reasons alone, this film has some historical significance.

The film would probably be better known and highly regarded in the 21st century if there had been prominent singing actors in the lead roles. And, the musical score, while fairly good, could have been much better. As it is, most of the songs are in a general range of the speaking voice set to music. They do have melody - more than the spoken range set to music that was Rex Harrison's singing in "My Fair Lady."

Still, it's back to the unusual that adds some value to the film. Van Johnson has the double lead of playing the Pied Piper and Truson. Johnson got his stage start with musicals, and has a good voice. This is his only film in which he has a solidly singling role. And he carries half of the film himself. Claude Rains is superb in the role of the Mayor of Hamelin, and shows that he could at least belt out a tune in harmony. This is the only musical of any sort that Rains ever made. One can only imagine that it was the idea of the type of production and the character he could play that appealed to Rains. This very gifted actor received four Academy Award nominations but never won an Oscar.

Jim Backus is the King's Emissary, and this is the only role I can think of in which his part resembled singing. Lori Nelson as Mara, and Kay Starr as John's Mother, carry the female portions of song. Stanley Adams and Doodles Weaver add some comedy to the story in their silly antics as counselors to the mayor.

With its color and colorful presentation, I think this film would still be of interest to children in modern times. And, the moral of the story should still ring true to we older children as to the young audience.

Here are some favorite lines from the film. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the film.

Pied Piper, "A man can strive for riches, a natural desire; but he mustn't overlook a greater goal. Or what will he profit by something he'll acquire, if in finding what he gains he lose his soul?"

Pied Piper, "A man who's unwise only sees things with his eyes."

Mayor of Hamelin, "Stop squealing and squeaking as though you were rats. Remember that you're bureaucrats."

The DVD of this movie appeared in a bin for $1 at a one of the chain stores, and as soon as I saw the photo of Van Johnson in that incredible hat, I had to buy it.

My mom had a big crush on Van Johnson so any appearance of his was a must see event - when it was first shown we kids were all gathered around the black & white TV. (Although the show was made in color, we didn't see it that way until later reruns. No one I knew had color television before the mid-sixties.)Certain scenes didn't look too familiar, but others produced a slight chill, reminding me of how spooky those knights on the clock seemed to a kid. (Maybe that's why the medieval clock at Frankenmuth, Michigan was disturbing to me as an adult tourist??) The colors on this particular DVD were bright but not really garish. As a 9 year-old, I was given a copy of the Robert Browning poem with Kate Greenaway illustrations. The original story was a lot simpler, and darker, with no Hollywood ending.

The behavior of the town's government is startlingly relevant for today's world, as the politicians sing about 'Prestige', unfurl long documents full of legal phrases in an attempt to cheat the Piper, show their willingness to accept credit for someone else's work, and refuse to help the neighboring town which has been swept away in a flood. The other town's children are scattered and hungry, but the Mayor and council send a sympathy note on fine vellum instead of food or help.

I don't know if a child of today would sit through the songs, but for the sum of one dollar, you can play it for a child you know and observe their reaction!

I saw this film several times on TV as a kid in the 60's. I enjoyed in thoroughly. Jim Backus's hamming is delightful. The music was borrowed wholly from Peer Gynt by Grieg -- from Morning Mood to Hall of the Mountain King.

Another reviewer comments on the colors (in a rather unsympathetic and grinch-like manner ). You must remember -- THERE WERE NO COLOR TVs IN 1957! Anyone with any knowledge of media knows that! They only existed in factories and a few individuals. They did not hit the market until 1958, and they were not in major use until after 1962 - at least among the people in my neighborhood. Anyway, the colors used had to make appealing greys when viewed in black & white. Hence, you will get some pretty odd colors. The use of such garish colors probably contributed to the development of Op-Art and Psychedelic art in the 60's. However, I digress, anyone who lets technical details get in the way of enjoying a child-like bit of fluff, especially one made on a small budget for TV, should stay up on his mountain, and never be let into who-ville.

Also, the pace of the film has been criticized. Well, the pace editing in films has sped up in the last few decades (look at Ridley Scott's work --- sheesh, you need seatbelts in the theatre!) You must let yourself go with the flow and the speed of the film. Let yourself be taken by the music and the performances. Basically, if you liked Brigadoon, then you should like this.

My recommendation -- if you are a child at heart, and want a delightful heartwarming film, filled with great music, seeing great performers enjoying themselves, then watch this film. Otherwise, go rent "The Sorrow and The Pity".

Do not believe bad reviews of this movie! I have loved it for as long as I remember. The symphonic music that the last review stupidly criticized is lovely pieces by genius composer Edvard Grieg. I still get chills when Van Johnson sings a song boasting of his accomplishments, with the Grieg piece Anitra's dance as the melody. Plus Claude Rains sings! This movie has great songs, great sets, great costumes, and is fun for everybody. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes the story of the pied piper, or those who like musicals. It is a gorgeous movie. It has a perfect cast. I rate this a 10.

Geoffrey K.