Li'l Abner

Ok, I love old movies.  I have a large collection and today I wan hanging out in the "L's" and decided on a Sunday afternoon with the residents of Dogpatch USA.   Li'l Abner was made in 1959 and based on a comic strip by Al Capp that ran from 1934-1977.   The residents of Dogpatch live by the code of the hills, have no jobs and the women look forward to Sadie Hawkins day so they can catch the man of their dreams.   Li'l Abner, a big and handsome boy (Peter Palmer) who is loved and chased by beautiful Daisy Mae (Leslie Parris).   Sadly, Dogpatch has been designated the most useless place on the planet and is scheduled to be blown off the map 2 days before Sadie Hawkins day, unless the residents can come up with something that makes them necessary.  Luckily, Mammy Yoakum, Li'l Abner's mom, comes up up with Yoakumberry Tonic, a concoction that made Li'l Abner the big, handsome oaf he is.  The government decides to do testing in Washington on the tonic, delaying the bombing.   Also interested is a ruthless businessman who wants the Tonic for himself.  He comes up with scheme for his bimbo girlfriend (Stella Stevens, a scene stealer) to catch Li'l Abner in the Sadie Hawkins race, then inherit the Tonic after an unfortunate death.   Not to give all away, let's just say good overcomes evil and a good time is had by all.

This is a musical and people do randomly break out into song.  The chorus has a couple of faces that will be a little more famous later, namely Beth Howland who starred on the TV show 'Alice' , Valerie Harper of 'Rhoda' fame and Donna Douglas, 'The Beverly Hillbillies' Elly Mae.  And Jerry Lewis makes a cameo as
'Itchy McRabbit'.

It's hokey, no doubt, but also a ton of fun.  There is a show stopping duet between Peter Palmer and Stubby Kaye about 'The country's in the very best of hands' which showcases their tenor voices.  I bring that up because I saw a stage production several years at the Garza Theater in post where local celebs Mike Morgan and Brandon Bohannan did a mind blowing rendition of the same song.  It was by far the best musical number I've ever seen in Lubbock community theater.