L'il Abner

[Hepzibuh]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:41pm

When I was a little girl I saw the musical L'il Abner on TV. I believe it was done with the original broadway cast. Does anyone know if there is a tape or dvd of this?

[magruder]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:43pm

Yes. It was filmed by Paramount with most of the Broadway cast (save for Edie Adams, who was replaced by Leslie Parrish). It has been available on VHS for a number of years now, but hasn't yet come out on DVD.

Updated On: 12/15/04 at 02:43 PM

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:44pm

just for the record: hate it, only worth seeing to be able to hate

[magruder]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:48pm

Can't imagine why that is. If for nothing else, Michael Kidd's choreography (recreated by Mark Breaux and DeeDee Wood) is extraordinary.

[Craig]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 2:52pm

Li'l Abner is one of my favorite movie musicals - and the performances are incredible. Even minor characters, such as E.E.F. played Al Nessor is a treat to watch.

[magruder]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:02pm

I'm rather fond of some of those newly beautified husbands in the Washington, DC sequence, myself.

[Hepzibuh]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:03pm

Finally found it on Amazon.com......but they $40 for it!

[magruder]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:07pm

Try to rent it in the meantime. I'm sure it will pop up on DVD in the next year or two at half that cost, and in widescreen.

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:21pm

Edie Adams wasn't the only member of the OBC that didn't get to do the movie. Stella Stevens replaced Tina Louise as "Appasionata Von Climax" in the movie version. I have it on VHS. Updated On: 12/15/04 at 03:21 PM

[magruder]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:26pm

Oh yes! That's right. I do love Stella's line reading of the following:

ABNER: Do you get bed and board?

APPASIONATA: Extremely.

[Craig]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:44pm

And who can forget Jerry Lewis's cameo....

[magruder]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:52pm

Itchy McRabbitt!

[Craig]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 4:02pm

Oh. And Valerie Harper and Beth Howland too....

Incidently, and I can't remember my source, but Jerry Lewis agreed to make a cameo (he was filming a movie on the same lot at the time) if he could just come in, do his scene and leave. It was all very slam-bam.

I had the pleasure of working with Peter Palmer several years ago and he has aged very well - and still has that same dynamic voice.

[Hepzibuh]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 4:09pm

I'm glad I was able to start you all reminiscing!

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 4:12pm

Charlotte Rae ("Mrs. Garrett" on "The Facts of Life") originated the role of "Mammy Yokum" on stage. Billie Hayes played it in the movie. I know Beth Howland was in the movie, but was Valerie Harper in the movie also, or just the OBC? Oh and who could forget JULIE NEWMAR as..........STUPEFYIN' JONES!!!

[magruder]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 4:25pm

Lizards, snakes and other vipers!
Also, bugs on windshield wipers!
Cauldron burn and cauldron bubble!
Tell me if my boy's in trouble!

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 4:39pm

Here is a great article detailing the creation of the Broadway show and it's transition to the Silver Screen.

Interesting note: Charlotte Rae and Edie Adams weren't even considered for the movie (and both were pregnant anyway) and Tina Louise was not interested in doing the movie. I think she accepted a role in "God's Little Acre" instead.
Lil Abner from Stage to Screen

[2day4u9704301]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 5:21pm

Love love love this movie! I played Marryin' Sam in high school!

[Necromancer07707]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:05pm

Too.. many.. bad.. memories *faints*

[shlamdiddly]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:12pm

We're doing it this year at my high school. I am Celia(used to be Cedric) Softwicke...we have more girls than guys who audition so guys parts tend to become female....The Dr.'s are also female now. So far it's going well.