Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

1954

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Critics Consensus

Buoyed by crowd-pleasing tunes and charming performances, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers makes a successful transition from Broadway to screen that's sure to please the whole family.

88%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 25

87%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 54,281

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Movie Info

Based extremely loosely on the Stephen Vincent Benet story Sobbin' Women," Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the best MGM musicals of the 1950s. Most of the story takes place on an Oregon ranch, maintained by Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) and his six brothers, played by Jeff Richards, Russ Tamblyn, Tommy Rall, Mark Platt, Matt Mattox, and Jacques d'Amboise (it is no coincidence that five of those six boys are played by professional dancers). When Adam brings home his new bride Milly (Jane Powell), she is appalled at the brothers' slovenliness and sets about turning these unwashed louts into immaculate gentlemen. During the boisterous barn-raising scene, the brothers get into a scuffle with a group of townsmen over the affection of six comely lasses: Virginia Gibson, Julie Newmeyer (later Newmar), Ruth Kilmonis (later Ruth Lee), Nancy Kilgas, Betty Carr, and Norma Doggett (yep, most of the girls are dancers, too). Yearning to become husbands like their big brother, they ask Adam for advice. Alas, he has been reading a book about the abduction of the Sabine Women (or, as he puts it, the Sobbin' Women); and, in order to claim their gals, Adam explains, the boys must kidnap them--which they do, after blocking off all avenues of escape. Vowing to remain on their best behavior, the boys make no untoward advances towards their reluctant female guests--not even during one of the coldest winters on record. Comes the spring thaw, the angry townsfolk come charging up the mountain, demanding the return of the stolen girls (who, by this time, have "tamed" their men). A happy ending is ultimately had by all in this delightful if politically incorrect concoction. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Cast

Howard Keel
as Adam
Jane Powell
as Milly
Russ Tamblyn
as Gideon
Julie Newmar
as Dorcas
Jacques d'Amboise
as Ephraim
Tommy Rall
as Frank
Ruta Lee
as Ruth
Matt Mattox
as Caleb
Virginia Gibson
as Liza
Marc E. Platt
Betty Carr
as Sarah
Howard Petrie
as Pete Perkins
Ian Wolfe
as Rev. Elcott
Nancy Kilgas
as Alice
Norma Doggett
as Martha
Earl Barton
as Harry
Dante DiPaolo
as Matt
Kelly Brown
as Carl
Matt Moore
as Ruth's Uncle
Dick Rich
as Dorcas' Father
Marjorie Wood
as Mrs. Bixby
Russell Simpson
as Mr. Bixby
Anna Q. Nilsson
as Mrs. Elcott
Larry J. Blake
as Drunk
Phil Rich
as Prospector
Lois Hall
as Girl
Terry Wilson
as Swain
Russell Saunders
as Swain
George Robotham
as Swain
Walter Beaver
as Lem
Jarma Lewis
as Lem's Girl Friend
Sheila James
as Dorcas' Sister
I. Stanford Jolley
as Father
Tim Graham
as Father
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Critic Reviews for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

All Critics (25) | Top Critics (5)

View All Critic Reviews (25)

Audience Reviews for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

  • May 27, 2016
    It's so goofy but I enjoy the movie for it's outstanding choreography.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Mar 14, 2014
    Silly and slightly offensive, here we have a bunch of guys from the hills kidnapping seven gals to make wives out of them. Without the dancing and music, this could be very easily a horror movie. It is harmless fun in this depiction.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Mar 13, 2010
    People often think of the 1950s as just a repressed and conservative time in America, overlooking the fact that people were also quite odd and strange back then (watch a few episodes of the old Superman television series if you want further proof). Film-wise, the fifties were the heyday of both the western and the musical, so it's no surpise when someone decided to combine the two. Okay, so Seven Brides for Seven Brothers isn't your typical western, but even though there's no gunfighting in the streets, it embodies the western spirit of the old west pioneers. The fun and frolic begins when a bunch of farmer brothers decides to take themselves some wife-womenfolk type thinga-mabobs. With the help of eldest brother Adam's good young wife, the other brothers learn a little about manners and how to woo the ladies without offering them chaws of tobaccey. The music may not be all that memorable, but the great performances make up for that. It's alot of corny fun from the oddball fifties.
    Devon B Super Reviewer
  • Dec 28, 2009
    It's certainly not the best musical around, but it does have some charm.
    Tim S Super Reviewer
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