Replies

Pundits were no less mystified once they saw the film, which suggested an agonized disconnect between director and material.

No, Huston was very connected with the material. He took a Broadway stage play that was supposed to be a paeon to FDR and FDR-ism and changed it into a family film. He dropped the big closing number ("There's Going to be a New Deal for Christmas (This Year)"), changing the date to the Fourth of July. He brought in elements from the Harold Gray comic strip, which is ultimately THE material. Bringing in a comic scene with a commie bomb throw, and adding Punjab to the mix.

The lead was no Andrea McArdle. But the kids don't care about singing range. This was still not a great movie, but my kids love it. He understood EXACTLY what he was doing.