Customer Reviews

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954 Film Soundtrack)

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You know, I am a 14 year old boy, and I am very hard to please when it comes to musical soundtracks. But this was by far the best soundtrack I have ever listened to. I actually heard it before I saw the movie. I had to get a copy of my own. If you are in two thoughts about buying this and need someone to give you the all clear...I say BUY IT

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS is one of the most beloved musicals ever made by M-G-M. The sparkling score by Johnny Mercer and Gene DePaul is perfectly showcased in the original soundtrack album, newly-remixed in stereo by Rhino Handmade.

The story concerns the Pontipee brothers, rugged mountainmen who are all in need of wives. When Adam (Howard Keel) meets the lovely and vivacious Milly (Jane Powell) on his annual visit to town, he impetuously proposes and marries her. Milly's romantic dreams are shattered when on arrival at his farm, she discovers that she also has to keep house for his six rowdy brothers. Milly has her work cut out for her as she instructs her brothers-in-law in the finer points of courtship and manners. The musical takes place amidst the breathtaking vistas of the Rockies.

Jane Powell, in probably her greatest musical role, is a delight as Milly, singing the lilting ballad "Wonderful, Wonderful Day", and the soft "When You're in Love". Howard Keel adds his strong voice to the buckskin-wearing Adam and the jaunty "Bless Yore Beautiful Hide".

The brothers (led by Russ Tamblyn, Tommy Rall and ballet star Jacques d'Amboise) lead the charge in "Going Co'tin" and "Sobbin' Women", as well as the winsome "Lonesome Polecat". The brides (led by Julie Newmar, Ruta Lee and Broadway star Virginia Gibson), shine in the gorgeous "June Bride" number.

The original soundtrack album is a must-own for any show music lover. Highly-recommended.

If you enjoyed the movie, you'll love the CD, particularly for its bonus tracks, including Howard Keel's rehearsal recording of "Bless Yore Beautiful Hide", which, although less vigouously presented than his usual style, is, in its own way, charming. You can also focus, undistracted by the spectacular dancing, on the six-minute rendition of the "Barn Dance", superbly performed by the ace M-G-M Studio Orchestra.

However, most outstanding of these 6 bonus gems are the Academy Award-winning lyricist (for "Moon River") Johnny Mercer's original lyrics, heard in the demo recordings of "Goin' Co'tin'" and "Sobbin' Women". PRICELESS!!! Stanley Donen, who directed the film, performs the former, and audibly collapses into laughter at some of "Goin' Co'tin'"'s words, as will you.

But the highlight is Johnny Mercer himself, performing (with composer Gene De Paul) the original "Sobbin' Women". Mercer must have been planning on the Hays Office being closed on the day he intended to submit his lyrics, for there is no doubt whatsoever that the censorship bureau would NEVER have permitted those words to be heard in an entertainment aimed at families. One rather thinks Mercer wrote these words only to be sung at stag parties, and this demo track does sound as if it were performed at one. IT'S A RIOT! Go directly to Track 27.

I'm 19 years old and the first time I saw this movie was on my grandmothers TV. I was about 13 when I first saw it and at that time, I had no interest in musicals. I thought they were corny and stupid. Well this movie just happened to come on and since there was nothing else to do , I actually watched it. I was glued to my seat the whole time. This one movie made me more interested in musicals and I'm a fanatic to this day. I have the video and I've already worn it out, watching it so many times. I know all the words to the songs, and I've even seen the theater production when it came into town! This movie is the greatest and I suggest you see it!

I have always wanted a copy of this soundtrack, now I got one. The most amazing thing to me about this, is the vocals of all the performances. I suspected that they would have deteriorated, but most of them haven't. There is an exeption, though. Matt Maddox, who plays Caleb, had his voice dubbed over during "Lonesome Polecat." The voice-over work had been destroyed with time, so his original voice debuts here. It's not the movie voice, but it's o.k. Howard Keel sings my favorite tune, "Bless Your Beautiful Hide," and it sounds so wonderful. The barn dancing and raising scenes are fantastic. When you see the film, you don't notice the music during the barn brawl, but listening here you get shell-shocked. A superb job Turner Classic Music has done here. A fan of the film? Be a fan of the music too.

The liner notes indicate that MGM gave Seven Brides a minimal budget for a musical and only modest promotion when it was first released. Public enthusiasm resulted in a re-release, however, and the movie ended up as one of the top ten of the year. I was fortunate enough to be in the audience when the movie played in downtown Chicago in 1954. Jane Powell spoke to us and then signed autographs at the stage door. It was a thrilling experience and this CD brings back that thrill. The underlying theme might not be PC, but so much sheer joy comes through, the soundtrack is impossible to resist.

As one of the hit songs from this timeless classic suggests, it was a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL DAY indeed when the Turner people decided to go into the MGM vaults and restore all of the original material from this runaway musical for the CD version.

Considered by countless numbers of film fans to be one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, this rolliking soundtrack does not disappoint its listeners. It only adds to the joy.

We have all of the previously released songs plus extended versions, out-takes and even demo recordings. A highlight is the DUET of Howard Keel and Jane Powell singing "When You're In Love." The song was sung separately by the stars in the movie.

Once again, we can thrill to such exuberant songs as BLESS YOUR BEAUTIFUL HIDE, GOIN' CO'TIN, LONESOME POLECAT, SOBIN WOMEN, JUNE BRIDE and SPRING, SPRING, SPRING all presented in lush stereo. They'll leave your heart bursting with jubilation. Get the good feeling. Get the CD of "7B47B".

Love it!!! Love the movie and am so happy to have the soundtrack. My children love to sing and dance to this music.

I am not going to be one of those that tells the story of the musical. Rather, here is a review of the soundtrack. It is definitely worth having. My favorite is the Barn Dance music. That gives the CD its fifth star. The songs are all good, especially "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" and "Going Courtin." Quality of sound is very clear and I am glad to see, or rather, hear that they have added all the additional outtakes and what not. If you like musicals, you cant pass up on this. This is right up there with Singing in the Rain and Oklahoma! as one of the all-time best.

Another great CD soundtrack from Turner/Rhino. The quality is superb, and the packaging beautiful. As with all of the MGM musical soundtracks released so far, it is a must have.