Li'l Abner (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Having played Pappy Yokum in my high school senior production of 'Li'l Abner' with some of my dearest friends at my side, I look forward to critiquing the 1959 Technicolor film version here, directed by Melvin Frank. Based on a play {and from that, a comic strip}, this light & breezy comedy/musical introduces us to the quirky, Southern fried, hillbilly inhabitants of Dogpatch. When the residents of said town are notified by Congress that they must evacuate due to them wanting to blast the "useless" town away as an atomic testing site, they try to persuade the gov't that their town is worth saving.
Meanwhile, unsavory Earthquake McGoon {yes, you read that correctly} wants to marry the very attractive Daisy Mae Scragg (Leslie Parrish); but Daisy Mae wants to marry strapping Li'l Abner (Peter Palmer) - hoping to catch him in the traditional Sadie Hawkins Day race so that he'll be forced to marry her. Howwwever, Li'l Abner isn't at all interested in girls ... he just wants to go a fishin' {yes, you read that correctly, haha}.
But before long, it is learned that Abner's Mammy's (Billie Hayes) magical Yokumberry Tonic might be enough to save the town. Abner offers the tonic to Washington, but Gen. Bullmoose (Howard St. John) wants it too, so Bullmoose tries to trap Abner into marrying his attractive but ditzy executive secretary, Appassionata Von Climax (Stella Stevens). Meanwhile, Daisy Mae sorrowfully pledges herself to Earthquake McGoon for marriage in an even exchange for rescuing Abner from Bullmoose. Will Daisy Mae & Abner ever finally get together and, more importantly, we he want to be with her?
What a goofball blast this movie is as a lively tribute to its town's loser hero. Granted, I may be partial because it was such a part of my being growing up in high school. But I legitimately think there are a plethora of good things in this movie, while also acknowledging that the film itself & the source material is absolutely ridiculous, haha. But the plot is not all that important. 'Li'l Abner' is mostly about the fun songs, the Michael Kidd-choreographed dances & the cheeky one-liners; most of which are harmless double-entendres or poke fun at the Hee-Haw Hillbilly way of life. Some of the songs are actually quite brilliant in their jubilant melodic themes & their coinciding silly thematic content. You might just have a few lodged in your brain.
The opening "Typical Day" sets the stage for what occurs in Dogpatch, U.S.A. "Jubilation T. Cornpone" is beyond catchy. "Put 'Em Back" is a riot. And the ensemble cast - mostly B-stars - led by Stubby Kaye as Marryin' Sam, all have decent voices & fun personalities that they're conveying throughout the wacky plot & copious song-&-dance numbers. Also in the cast are the likes of Julie Newmar as Stupefyin' Jones, Robert Strauss as Romeo Scragg & Joe E. Marks as good 'ole Pappy Yokum {who I affectionately played}; there are even cameos by young Jerry Lewis & Valerie Harper.
Now, I wouldn't say that the film has a high budget. However, its sound stage-bound locales & wild costumes have their own cheap-o charm. Trying to emulate the stage play and, more importantly, the colorful comic strip from which its based, the filmmakers do a great job keeping its visuals as cuckoo zany as possible. There is humor abounding. It is exuberantly executed. And on the whole, 'Li'l Abner' can be enjoyed as a completely stress-free entertainment. I'll always love it -- warts & all.
Meanwhile, unsavory Earthquake McGoon {yes, you read that correctly} wants to marry the very attractive Daisy Mae Scragg (Leslie Parrish); but Daisy Mae wants to marry strapping Li'l Abner (Peter Palmer) - hoping to catch him in the traditional Sadie Hawkins Day race so that he'll be forced to marry her. Howwwever, Li'l Abner isn't at all interested in girls ... he just wants to go a fishin' {yes, you read that correctly, haha}.
But before long, it is learned that Abner's Mammy's (Billie Hayes) magical Yokumberry Tonic might be enough to save the town. Abner offers the tonic to Washington, but Gen. Bullmoose (Howard St. John) wants it too, so Bullmoose tries to trap Abner into marrying his attractive but ditzy executive secretary, Appassionata Von Climax (Stella Stevens). Meanwhile, Daisy Mae sorrowfully pledges herself to Earthquake McGoon for marriage in an even exchange for rescuing Abner from Bullmoose. Will Daisy Mae & Abner ever finally get together and, more importantly, we he want to be with her?
What a goofball blast this movie is as a lively tribute to its town's loser hero. Granted, I may be partial because it was such a part of my being growing up in high school. But I legitimately think there are a plethora of good things in this movie, while also acknowledging that the film itself & the source material is absolutely ridiculous, haha. But the plot is not all that important. 'Li'l Abner' is mostly about the fun songs, the Michael Kidd-choreographed dances & the cheeky one-liners; most of which are harmless double-entendres or poke fun at the Hee-Haw Hillbilly way of life. Some of the songs are actually quite brilliant in their jubilant melodic themes & their coinciding silly thematic content. You might just have a few lodged in your brain.
The opening "Typical Day" sets the stage for what occurs in Dogpatch, U.S.A. "Jubilation T. Cornpone" is beyond catchy. "Put 'Em Back" is a riot. And the ensemble cast - mostly B-stars - led by Stubby Kaye as Marryin' Sam, all have decent voices & fun personalities that they're conveying throughout the wacky plot & copious song-&-dance numbers. Also in the cast are the likes of Julie Newmar as Stupefyin' Jones, Robert Strauss as Romeo Scragg & Joe E. Marks as good 'ole Pappy Yokum {who I affectionately played}; there are even cameos by young Jerry Lewis & Valerie Harper.
Now, I wouldn't say that the film has a high budget. However, its sound stage-bound locales & wild costumes have their own cheap-o charm. Trying to emulate the stage play and, more importantly, the colorful comic strip from which its based, the filmmakers do a great job keeping its visuals as cuckoo zany as possible. There is humor abounding. It is exuberantly executed. And on the whole, 'Li'l Abner' can be enjoyed as a completely stress-free entertainment. I'll always love it -- warts & all.