Customer Reviews

The Seven Little Foys [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A rarely seen Bob Hope gem, "The Seven Little Foys" is well worth seeking out. The film is based on the true story of Eddie Foy, a vaudvillian who, after the unexpected death of his wife, decides to make his seven children into a stage act in order to keep on eye on them while on the road. That his children are one and all completely deviod of any talent whatsoever doesn't faze him much. After all, famous for being dreadfully untalented is still famous.

The first half of the movie drags a bit while detailing the courtship of Eddie Foy and his long-suffering wife, but the second half has Bob playing off of seven terrific child actors and the results are very entertaining. (For example, racking his brain on how to get his kids on stage, Bob asks them what they can do. His littlest replies cheerfully, "I can dance!" and proceeds to careen around the room in a drunken manner. "Keep your opinions to yourself", Bob observes.)

To Eddie's surprise, the kids are so bad they're a huge hit, and though dysfunctional, the Foys are ultimately a loving and tightknit bunch. Bob and the kids have a great chemistry, and he also has a great foil in the Italian actress that plays the children's aunt. (At one point she grouses that the house Eddie has bought is "falling apart", "Nobody complains about you", Bob shoots back. )

And of course, there is the famous scene when Bob and Jimmy Cagney do a wondeful softshoe atop a banquet table; this scene alone is worth the price of the DVD.

If you're a fan of Bob Hope or like turn of the century period films , be sure not to miss "The Seven Little Foys".

This Brentwood Bob Hope DVD has beautiful color and a razor sharp image. The movie is aimed more at music than comedy, and comedy fans may be a little disappointed. But Bob Hope fans and musical fans will be amused.

I am NOT a fan of Bob Hope's movies. I really never watch him as a comic but this movie was very enjoyable! Great musical numbers and the kids are dolls. Rags to riches. With the combination of music, kids, Hope not playing Hope...you will spend an delightful evening renting or buying this movie.

When I first saw this movie I was somewhat surprised at the more serious tone of Hope's part. However, once I got past that point I enjoyed the movie for what it was, a terrific look at one of America's great vaudeville performers, Eddie Foy. While Hope wasn't his constant comical self, his interplay with his children, who had some of the better lines to Hope's straight man part, both on and off stage, were great fun. The other high point of the film was James Cagney's role as George M. Cohan, one he made famous earlier in Yankee Doodle Dandy. The constant one upmanship between the two and their table top dance routine were the high point of the film. If you like Bob Hope, you'll enjoy this movie.

Really depressing to pop this baby into the DVD player and the first thing you see is the Paramount logo and the words "A Paramount Release in VistaVision" and the image is CROPPED! Great color, nice crisp images, but PAN AND SCAN. How I'd love to see that brilliant table top soft shoe routine between Hope and Cagney in all its 1.85:1 glory! Hopefully TCM will show it widescreen and I can record it.

Very good story and acting. This is the way movies should still be. They didn't need the profanity to make the movie great.

Good old fashion family entertainment. Bob Hope is the wise cracking head of the wild bunch, who atfirst detest and then learn to love him.The music and comedy is woderful, if you like Vaudeville.

I wanted to see this movie ever since I heard about it. I finally got a copy of it and watched. It is one of Bob Hope's best. It is different from his other roles in movies and the story I thought was great. The kids are adorable and just great. The scene with Bob Hope dancing with James Cagney is unforgetable and is a great performance. It is a must for any Bob Hope fan.

THE SEVEN LITTLE FOYS (1955) is narrated by Foy boy #2, Charley, who sounds just like kid brother Eddie Jr. Accepting that this musical biopic is mostly fiction, its 93 minute running time would have greatly benefited by the addition of a single reel. Foy Sr.'s early song and dance routines are most interesting (as are his later on-stage struggles with the children). Once Eddie (still a 'single') graduates from vaudeville to Broadway, career success and the passage of time are noted by the use of a series of lighted ad signs that proclaim his hit shows. An opportunity to present a song highlight from each is squandered here. To have done so would've added greatly to this film's depth and in hindsight, its value as a source of theatrical history.

Jimmy Cagney appears briefly as George Cohan. In a testimonial dinner highlight, he mounts a long, shiny black table top and performs his famous "Yankee Doodle Boy" steps from YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942). Although 13 years older and clearly heavier, Cagney has lost only a little of that loose-jointed flexibility. Hope (as Eddie Foy) follows him and delivers a vigorously impressive tap routine. They conclude with a precision softshoe duet.

In typical Hollywood fashion, all this frivolity unfolds while Foy, who's just returned to NY, is unaware that Madeleine (Milly Vitale), beloved wife and mother of his seven children, has died from a lengthy illness that she kept hidden from him.

Angela Clarke is Aunt Clara, the deceased's meddling older sister who, incensed that they must play the Palace during Christmas week, tries to wrest the kids away from Eddie by getting the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children involved (this organization's actual name was the Gerry Society). Foy has his brood do their pathetic stage specialties for the presiding judge and he rules that they aren't performers. Although defeated, Aunt Clara decides not to return to Italy and on one auspicious Sunday, Eddie actually makes it to church with the family! Bells all across New Rochelle announce the miraculous news. Finis.

(Watch for a priestly cameo by Joe Flynn, best known as Capt. Binghamton on TV's MCHALE'S NAVY.)

It was so nice seeing this old movie again and it lived up to my memories.