This is a great show for the chorus. They are included in all the best musical numbers and there are lots of bit parts for chorus members to step into. But Li'l Abner drags a bit when it just focuses on the primary characters.
Perhaps it's the nearly fifty years since this show was created, but a lot of the characterizations come off as poking fun rather than lovingly bringing to life charming comic strip characters. Particularly guilty of overshooting the mark are Mammy and Pappy Yokum, but the book writer also bear some responsibility for peppering too many "dogpatch-isms" into characters' speech.
A couple of songs deserve mention and perhaps cabaret or big band life beyond the show, especially since the lyrics are by Johnny Mercer. "The Country's in the Very Best of Hands" is a funny (and still topical) song for Abner and Marryin' Sam. It would be great paired with Kurt Weill's "How Can you Tell an American" which is also a duet for two men. "I wish it could be Otherwise" (which I think was written for the film) is a wonder ballad for Daisy Mae and Abner, and could easily be imported into piano club setting.
The bright spot of the cast for me is Stubby Kaye as Marryin' Sam. There is no one who can deliver the big solo with chorus number like him. "Jubilation T. Cornpone" is the best known of this score, but there are other songs for Sam and Chorus. Julie Newmar (later of Batman fame) is Stupifyin' Jones, with nary a line, but plenty of curves.
Li'l Abner
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Written by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank
Based on the character created by Al Capp
Released by Paramount Pictures in 1959
Cast: Peter Palmer, Leslie Parrish, Stubby Kaye, Howard St. John, Julie Newmar, Stella Stevens, Billie Hayes, Joe E. Marks, Bern Hoffman
Perhaps it's the nearly fifty years since this show was created, but a lot of the characterizations come off as poking fun rather than lovingly bringing to life charming comic strip characters. Particularly guilty of overshooting the mark are Mammy and Pappy Yokum, but the book writer also bear some responsibility for peppering too many "dogpatch-isms" into characters' speech.
A couple of songs deserve mention and perhaps cabaret or big band life beyond the show, especially since the lyrics are by Johnny Mercer. "The Country's in the Very Best of Hands" is a funny (and still topical) song for Abner and Marryin' Sam. It would be great paired with Kurt Weill's "How Can you Tell an American" which is also a duet for two men. "I wish it could be Otherwise" (which I think was written for the film) is a wonder ballad for Daisy Mae and Abner, and could easily be imported into piano club setting.
The bright spot of the cast for me is Stubby Kaye as Marryin' Sam. There is no one who can deliver the big solo with chorus number like him. "Jubilation T. Cornpone" is the best known of this score, but there are other songs for Sam and Chorus. Julie Newmar (later of Batman fame) is Stupifyin' Jones, with nary a line, but plenty of curves.
Li'l Abner
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Written by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank
Based on the character created by Al Capp
Released by Paramount Pictures in 1959
Cast: Peter Palmer, Leslie Parrish, Stubby Kaye, Howard St. John, Julie Newmar, Stella Stevens, Billie Hayes, Joe E. Marks, Bern Hoffman
1 comment:
Hi
Jerry Lewis makes an (uncredited) appearance as "Itchy McRabbit"
Nary a line, but plenty of corn !
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