Russ Tamblyn | Hollywood Yesterday

Jane Powell and Howard Keel

There are certain stars from old Hollywood and classic television who I “collect,” as in buy and acquire anything and everything I can that pertains to them. Jane Powell is one of these chosen stars – I just adore her. I have since I first saw her MANY years ago in the film she is probably best known for, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Amazon dvd link).

While I love the entire cast, Jane Powell, Julie Newmar, Ruta Lee, and Russ Tamblyn are my stand out favorites.

Speaking of Russ Tamblyn, how in the world is he not a household name?! He was as talented as anyone – whether it was dancing, acting, charisma… he had every bit as much going on for him as anyone and more than many. Okay, rant over, but it is mystifying how some stars were handpicked for lead roles when others weren’t. Russ could have been a delightful mixture of Danny Kaye and Fred Astaire and audiences would have absolutely loved him as a leading man.

I also wonder how in the world Hollywood ever kept from casting Julie Newmar and Ruta Lee in more leading roles too. Again, they would have been more than capable of carrying a movie.

Russ Tamblyn

You can watch this joyful, entertaining, and in all ways delightful musical on Prime Video. If you haven’t seen it in awhile, you’re going to be amazed at just how good it is – I think, as years pass, we tend to forget how excellent many of our favorites really were. Then, when we’re sitting and reliving the magic, we notice the spectacular costumes, flawless choreography and dancing, and joyful songs and humor.

This truly is a spectacular musical and a celebration of movies in general.

Howard Keel, Russ Tamblyn, and Julie Newmar

One of my favorite musicals is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. My favorites in the cast are… well, the whole cast! Jane Powell, Howard Keel, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar… just a wonderful cast who obviously had as much fun making the movie as we have watching it. In fact, Howard Keel called this film “one of my happiest filmmaking experiences at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.” He went on to say, “The cast was magnificent, and the chemistry irresistible. Jack Cummings had his stamp on the whole picture. Jane Powell, as Milly, was perfect, and I loved working with her. She was cute and persnickety and a multi-talented pro. It truly was one big happy family.”

In an interview for TNT’s “Our Favorite Movies” series, Keel said, “A ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ doesn’t come along too often. I remember thinking, ‘If this isn’t a hit, I give up,’ because it was so much fun to make.”

You can watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers on Prime Video (Amazon link) or buy the dvd (link to the dvd on Amazon).