Tom Sawyer 1973

Tom Sawyer
(Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer, A Musical Adaptation)
Readers Digest / United Artists, 1973, Color, 99 minutes, ***
Released March, 1973

Beautifully produced and highly entertaining film. Good example of an integrated musical. Johnny Whitaker nearly carries the movie all on his own. Jodie Foster is perfect as Becky Thatcher, and the rest of the cast is fun, too. Nice Sherman Brothers song score includes "River Song" sung by Charley Pride.

Producer: Arthur P. Jacobs
Associate Producer: Frank Capra, Jr.
Executive Producer: Walter Bien
Production Supervisor: Robert Greenhut
Associate Producer: Frank Capra Jr.
Directed by: Don Taylor
Screenplay by: Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman
Based upon The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Music and Lyrics by: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Music Conducted and Supervised by: John Williams
"Tom Sawyer" and "Gratification" Staged by Danny Daniels
Production Design: Philip Jefferies
Set Decorator: Robert deVestel
Makeup Supervision: John Inzerella
Hair Stylist: Vivienne Walker
Costumes Designed by: Donfeld
Sound: Dean Vernon, Theodore Soderberg
Director of Photography: Frank Stanley
Filmed in Panavision, Color by Deluxe
Film Editor: Marion Rothman

Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Song Score, Best Art Direction/Set Decoration and Best Costume Design

Cast: Johnny Whitaker [Tom Sawyer], Celeste Holm [Aunt Polly], Warren Oates [Muff Potter], Jeff East [Huckleberry Finn], Jodie Foster [Becky Thatcher], Lucille Benson [Widow Douglas], Henry Jones [Mister Dobbins], Noah Keen [Judge Thatcher], Dub Taylor [Clayton], Richard Eastham [Doc Robinson], Sandy Kenyon [Constable Clemens], Joshua Hill Lewis [Cousin Sidney], Susan Joyce [Cousin Mary], Steve Hogg [Ben Rogers], Sean Summers [Billy Fisher], Kevin Jefferson [Joe Jefferson], Page Williams [Saloon Girl], Kunu Hank [Injun Joe], James A. Kuhn [Blacksmith], Mark Lynch [Prosecuting Attorney], Jonathan Taylor [Small Boy], Anne Voss [Girl]

Musical Program: [0:03] River Song (The Theme from Tom Sawyer) (sung by Charley Pride and Chorus); [0:12] Tom Sawyer (sung by Celeste Holm, Joshua Hill and Susan Joyce); [0:21] Gratifaction (sung by Johnny Whitaker and Boys); [0:29] A Man's Gotta Be (sung by Warren Oates, Johnny Whitaker and Jeff East); [0:52] How Come? (sung by Johnny Whitaker); [1:00] If'n I Was God (sung by Johnny Whitaker); [1:04] River Song (reprised by Charley Pride); [1:05] Freebootin' (sung by Johnny Whitaker and Jeff East); [1:09] Tom Sawyer (reprised by Celeste Holm); [1:13] Rock of Ages (Church sung by Congregation); [1:19] Hannibal Mo (Zouree) (sung by Cast and Chorus); [1:36] River Song (sung by Charley Pride and Chorus)