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Li'l Abner is a 1959 musical film based on the comic strip of the same name created by Al Capp and the successful Broadway musical of the same name that opened in 1956. The movie was produced by Norman Panama and directed by Melvin Frank (co-writers of the Broadway production). It was the second film to be based on the comic strip, the first being RKO's 1940 film, Li'l Abner.
Several songs, with music by Gene De Paul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, were adapted directly from the Broadway production, but the original portions of the motion picture score were written and conducted by Nelson Riddle and Joseph J. Lilley, which earned them an Oscar nomination for Best Score in 1960 and earned Riddle a Grammy nomination for Best Soundtrack Album. The movie was released on December 11, 1959 by Paramount Pictures.
Almost every major character in the movie was portrayed by the same performer who appeared in the role on Broadway. Notable exceptions are Daisy Mae (played by Edie Adams on Broadway), Appassionata von Climax (played on stage by Tina Louise) and Mammy Yokum (played on stage by Charlotte Rae). Jerry Lewis has an unbilled brief cameo as Itchy McRabbit.
Original Release
12/11/1959
US Release
12/11/1959
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Peter Palmer | Li'l Abner Yokum |
Leslie Parrish | Daisy Mae / Daisy Mae Scragg |
Stubby Kaye | Marryin' Sam |
Howard St. John | General Bullmoose |
Julie Newmar | Stupefyin' Jones |
Stella Stevens | Appassionata Von Climax |
Billie Hayes | Pansy ('Mammy') Yokum |
Joe E. Marks | Pappy Yokum |
Bern Hoffman | Earthquake McGoon |
Al Nesor | Evil Eye Fleagle |
Directors
Writers
Melvin Frank, Al Capp, Norman Panama
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Peter Palmer | Li'l Abner Yokum |
Leslie Parrish | Daisy Mae / Daisy Mae Scragg |
Stubby Kaye | Marryin' Sam |
Howard St. John | General Bullmoose |
Julie Newmar | Stupefyin' Jones |
Stella Stevens | Appassionata Von Climax |
Billie Hayes | Pansy ('Mammy') Yokum |
Joe E. Marks | Pappy Yokum |
Bern Hoffman | Earthquake McGoon |
Al Nesor | Evil Eye Fleagle |
Robert Strauss | Romeo Scragg |
William Lanteau | Available Jones |
Ted Thurston | Senator Jack S. Phogbound |
Carmen Alvarez Block | Moonbeam McSwine |
Alan Carney | Mayor Daniel D. Dogmeat / Mayor Dawgmeat |
Stanley Simmonds | Rasmussen T. Finsdale |
Diki Lerner | Lonesome Polecat |
Joe Ploski | Hairless Joe |
Ken Ackles | Muscleman |
Eric Alden | Policeman |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Norman Panama | Producer |
Editors
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1960 | Oscar | Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture | Nominated |
1960 | Golden Globe | Best Motion Picture - Musical | Nominated |