1776 Cast
William Daniels
Howard Da Silva
Ken Howard
Donald Madden
John Cullum
Roy Poole
David Ford
Ron Holgate
Ray Middleton
William Hansen
Blythe Danner
Virginia Vestoff
Emory Bass
Ralston Hill
Howard Caine
Patrick Hines
William Duell
Daniel Keyes
Leo Leyden
Stephen Nathan
Jonathan Moore
James Noble
John Myhers
Rex Robbins
Charles Rule
John Adams (MA)
Dr. Benjamin Franklin (PA)
Thomas Jefferson (VA)
John Dickinson (PA)
Edward Rutledge (SC)
Stephen Hopkins (RI)
John Hancock (MA)
Richard Henry Lee (VA)
Colonel Thomas McKean (DE)
Caesar Rodney (DE)
Martha Jefferson
Abigail Adams
Judge James Wilson (PA)
Charles Thomson
Lewis Morris (NY)
Samuel Chase (MD)
Andrew McNair
Dr. Josiah Bartlett (NH)
George Read (DE)
Courier
Dr. Lyman Hall (GA)
Jonathan Witherspoon (NJ)
Robert Livingston (NY)
Roger Sherman (CT)
Joseph Hewes (NC)

1776 Crew
Directed
Peter H. Hunt

Written
Sherman Edwards
Peter Stone


Produced
Jack L. Warner

Original Music & lyrics
Sherman Edwards

Musical Director
Ray Heindorf

Choreography
Onna White

Cinematography
Harry Stradling Jr.

Film Editing
Florence Williamson
William H. Ziegler


Casting
Michael Shurtleff

Production Design
George Jenkins

Art Direction
George Jenkins
John Jay Moore


Set Decoration
George James Hopkins

Costumes
Patricia Zipprodt

Makeup
Allan Snyder

Sound
Al Overton Jr.
Arthur Piantadosi

 

1776 Songs
Overture
 
As in the stage production, the roadshow version of the 1776 motion picture included a glorious Overture. With no accompanying visual, the audience was introduced to orchestral interpretations of "Is Anybody There?", "He Plays the Violin", "Cool Considerate Men", "The Egg" and finally "But Mr. Adams." Synchronized with that piece, the opening credits roll. Gorgeous character sketching from the era adorns the screen as the orchestra introduces "The Lees of Old Virginia." The recent DVD release begins with the credits, omitting the Overture, but it was available on the earlier laser disc release. (Remember Laser Discs? They looked like CDs in a funhouse mirror?)
 

"Sit Down, John"
 
We see John Adams griping about the need for American Independence. But the congressmen have heard this over and over again and wish he would just sit down. This deceptively simple song accomplishes more in a couple verses than seems possible. Not only does the song introduce John and eh congress, it also clearly states John's goal and his opposition. The song segues simply into...
 



 

"Piddle Twiddle
& Resolve"
 
John Adams steps outside where he is given an opportunity to tell the viewer his dissatisfaction with the ideals of the other congressmen. They are always focusing on the frivolous details while the big picture is a shambles. And while congress argues whether they should open the window or not, John takes the first of many fantasy journeys to visit his wife, Abigail. "Piddle, Twiddle & Resolve" briefly introduces their love theme, "Yours, yours, yours."
 



 

"The Lees of
Old Virginia"
 
The first musical comedy number in the film is a major departure musically and cinematically. In searching for someone to promote the Independence cause besides the obnoxious and disliked John Adams, Benjamin Franklin has convinced Richard Henry Lee to lead the charge. The song takes place outdoors where Lee bounds around on his horse, the closest this film comes to an action scene. The song is serviceable, borrowing generously from the children's nursery rhyme "Old MacDonald."
 






"But, Mr. Adams"
 
When the debate over Independence is permanently threatened, Adams asks for a delay for his team to create a Declaration to help the world appreciate the need. It bought some time, but now they also have to create this document. This song exhibits the negotiation between the five man committee. It is simple and funny with a touch of Vaudeville. In the end Thomas Jefferson is selected to write it. And we can be glad of that!
 



"Till Then"
 
Jefferson' s thought is torn between his work and his young wife Martha. So Adams sends for her. And when he sees the young lovers together, returns to the fantasy world where he meets with Abigail. Here they can walk together by a beautiful lake and support each other. They once again sing "yours, yours, yours".
 

"He Plays the Violin"
 
After an evening of material best left behind closed doors, Martha Jefferson emerges just long enough to share a secret with Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Her husband can play the violin. The melodic song allows for one of the brightest moments in the film, a light dance with our hero. It also features lyrics that represent the sound of a violin. But, in the end Martha returns to her husbands arms leaving Adams and Franklin to dance off into the busy market.
 

 

Entr'acte
 
After a brief intermission, Roadshow attendees where treated to music as they returned to their seats. The beautiful orchestrations celebrated "Piddle, Twiddle & Resolve" as well as a haunting recreation of "Till then". It ends with "Is Anybody There?" The recent DVD release omits the Entr'acte, but it was available on the earlier laser disc release.
 

"Cool, Cool
Considerate Men"
 
Easily the weakest song in the film. "Cool, Cool Considerate Men" features the more conservative members of congress dancing together in reverence to their status quo. The song was poorly received and was promptly cut from the release by Producer Jack Warner. Some say the song was cut to appease President Richard Nixon, who "reportedly" objected. This song was restored into the recent DVD release and is of great historic interest.
 

 

 

"Mama, Look Sharp"
 

A young courier takes a moment to sing the most moving song in the show. It tells of a soldier's thoughts on dying in the field. The song strongly clarifies what is at stake if Independence is not reached. We have spent so much time in The congress that this reminder could not have come at a better time. The mood is now somber.

The only drawback to this song is the performers physical similarity to a Martin Short character.

 

"The Egg"
 
The Declaration of Independence has been drafted. Now, it must go through approval by the congress. In the meantime, Franklin, Jefferson and Adams wait impatiently for the debate to begin. The compare the Independence of America to the birth of a bird. But over Jefferson's dove and Franklin's turkey they agree on Adams' eagle. This is the last light song in the film as so much tension grows from this point forward.
 

 

 

 

"Molasses to Rum"
 
Somehow, this Declaration has been pushed from its long shot status to actually getting support. But, all that optimism is squashed when Edward Rutledge asks that the slavery abolishment be removed. He sings one of the darkest character songs ever to arrive from the musical theater. It drastically changes the tone of the entire story by creating danger and urgency. Even the cinematography portrays the congress in a dark light, making it foreign.
 

 

 

"Yours, Yours, Yours"
 
After the walkout of the entire congressional South, John Adams has all but resigned to failure. Even his visit to the fantasy world with Abigail was unable to turn his mood. But when a shipment from Abigail arrives into Independence Hall, he is reborn and ready to take on his cause again. Abigail sends her gift with a song, the final entry of "Yours, yours, yours."
 

 

 

 

"Is Anybody There?"
 
In a dispatch from General George Washington, he expresses a deep frustration over the lack of response to his other letters. The letter asks the congress "Is anybody there?" John Adams knows the general's frustration. He realizes that they are fighting the same battle, just on different battlefields. This is the final song in the show, coming a good twenty minutes from the end, and it is a great character payoff.
 

From Stage
to Screen

"Is anybody there? Does anybody care?" These haunting words are a reminder of the power the musical 1776 carries. Not only is it entertaining, but it offers a unique view of its subject matter. Originally conceived by history teacher Sherman Edwards to establish more interest in the birth of America. He used simple, catchy musical styles to establish the tone. Unlike most other musicals, the songs in 1776 appear only occasionally. In fact, the last 20 minutes are wisely left without music. That allows for a melancholy tone as the Declaration of Independence is signed. It comes across as risky as nobody signs with extreme confidence. The result was stunning and the 1969 Broadway Show was a large success. So, it was inevitable that a film version would make an appearance. The film opened in November of 1972 with most of the Broadway cast intact.

Donald Madden (John Dickinson)and Blythe Danner (Martha Jefferson) were the notable newcomers to the cast. William Daniels recreates his famous performance as John Adams with great success. He had the unenviable job of portraying an "obnoxious and disliked" lead character who viewers must want to follow. Daniels had such a hold on this role that most subsequent performers look to recreate his performance. Howard Da Silva is the hysterical and enrolling Ben Franklin. A part he created on Broadway, but was out for much of the early run after suffering a heart attack. Among the other strong characters are John Cullum as the heavy Edward Rutledge and Ken Howard as the red-haired Jefferson.

Before its original release date, approx. 35 minutes of the film was cut for various reasons. Many purists are pleased by the existence of the LaserDisc release that restored all the cut material, even with drastic changes in film quality. The recent DVD release runs about 10 minutes shorter, but is without the film quality changes.

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