Michael Kidd choreographed the stunning dance sequences. The screenplay is a free-wheeling adaptation of Stephen Vincent Benet's story The Sobbin' Women (which Joshua Logan once hoped to turn into a Broadway musical), in turn inspired by the legendary Roman tale of the Rape of The Sabine Women. The story is now set in Oregon, in the 1850s, when Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel), eldest of seven rough, tough backwoods brothers, brings a bride, Milly (Jane Powell), back to the farm after a visit to town. Milly finds she has to be not only a wife but also a den-mother to her brothers-in-law. The six brothers listen to Adam's story of the sobbin' women and decide to steal brides for themselves. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers works so beautifully as top entertainment because of its strong human values - this movie has heart - plentiful humour as well as the singing and dancing. You'll want to see the barn-raising dance and slapstick fight again and again. The six lusty brothers are played by Tommy Rall, Russ Tamblyn, Jeff Richards, Matt Mattox, Marc Platt and Jaques D'Amboise (of the New York City Ballet). Johnny Mercer and Gene de Paul wrote the songs, (one of them based on Edvard Greig's "Wedding Day at Troldhagen"). Adolph Deutsch won an Academy Award for his musical direction.

-- Bill Collins