HUCKLEBERRY FINN

Huckleberry Finn
(aka "Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn / A Musical Adaptation")
Reader's Digest / MGM/UA, 1974, Color, 114 minutes, ***
Released May, 1974

In this delightful musical adaptation of Mark Twain's most famous novel, Jeff East (Tom Sawyer) returns as the lovable scamp Huckleberry Finn, while Oscar nominee Paul Winfield (Sounder) shows "considerable strength" as Jim, the runaway slave who joins 15-year-old Huck for an unforgettable raft ride on the Mississippi River.

Strong-willed and self-raised, Huck decides to flee his home town of Hannibal, Missouri, when his cruel absentee father tries to kidnap him. Accompanying him is the sharp-witted Jim, who fears he is about to be sold. As this unlikely pair journey north to freedom, they develop a bond of friendship and mutual respect that will help them brave a series of narrow escapes, thrilling adventures and characters so colorful only Mark Twain could pen them!

Produced by: Arthur P. Jacobs
Associate Producer: Robert Greenhut
Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
Screenplay: Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman
Based upon "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Music and Lyrics by: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Music Conducted and Supervised by: Fred Werner
Production Design: Phillip Jefferies
Choreography by: Marc Breaux
Set Decorator: Robert De Vestel
Makeup Supervision: John Inzerella
Hair Stylist: Vivienne Walker
Costumes Designed by: Donfeld
Sound: Larry Jost
Director of Photography: Laszlo Kovacs
Filmed in Panavision, Color by Deluxe
Film Editor: Michael F. Anderson

Cast: Jeff East [Huckleberry Finn], Paul Winfield [Jim], Harvey Korman [The King], David Wayne [The Duke], Arthur O'Connell [Col. Grangerford], Gary Merrill [Pap], Natalie Trundy [Mrs. Loftus], Lucille Benson [Widder Douglas], Kim O'Brien [Maryjane Wilks], Jean Fay [Susan Wilks], Ruby Leftwich [Miss Watson], Odessa Cleveland [Jim's Wife], Joe Boris [Jason], Danny Lantrip [Kyle], Van Bennett [Wayne], Linda Watkins [Mrs. Grangerford], Jean Combs [Miss Emmeline], Frances Fawcett [Miss Charlotte], Suzanne Prystup [Miss Maryanne], H. L. Rowley [Horatio], Doris Owens [Marybelle], Frank Mills [Buck], Sherree Sinquefield [Miss Sophia], R. Norwood Smith [1st Hunter], Jack Millstein [2nd Hunter], Morris Denton [Riverboat Captain], Larry Ferney [Man #1 at Theater], Albert Schilling [Man #2 at Theater], Clayton Starling [Big Man at Theater], Rex Commack [Bartender], George Prescott [Man #3 at Jackson's Landing], Hoskins Deterly [Lot Hovey], Elliott Trimble [Uncle Harvey], Mrs. James Torrey [1st Woman at Auction], Rose Pansano [2nd Woman at Auction], John Schwartzman [Boy at Auction], Forrest Colebank [Abner Shackleford], Charles C. Burns [Sheriff], Pat O'Connor [Guard #1], Gray Montgomery [Guard #2], Sam Blackmon (Guard #3], Ron Wright [Roughman #1], Louis Wentworth III [Roughman #2], Andrew Night [Roughman #3], Orville Meyer [Tomkins, Blacksmith], Ken Wannberg [Piano Player]


Musical Program: [0:01] Freedom (sung by Roberta Flack and Chorus); [0:05] Huckleberry Finn (sung by Chorus offscreen); [0:13] Someday Honey Darling (sung by Paul Winfield); [0:18] Rotten Luck (sung by Gary Merrill); [0:23] Cairo, Ill. (sung by Paul Winfield and Jeff East); [0:39] Rose in a Bible (sung by Jean Combs and Suzanne Prystup, joined by party guests); [0:55] Royalty (sung by Harvey Korman and David Wayne); [1:06] Royal Nonesuch (sung by Harvey Korman); [1:18] Into His Hands (sung by Harvey Korman, joined by mourners); [1:29] What's Right, What's Wrong (sung by Jeff East) [1:50] Freedom (reprised by Roberta Flack and Chorus); [1:52] Huckleberry Finn / Cairo, Ill. (reprised by Chorus behind end credits)