The look on the Courier's face when he arrives to discover that the Continental Congress has apparently turned into a ballet class absolutely cracks me up.
"General Washington, sir. I must report that I am deeply disturbed by my most recent journey to Philadelphia and back." "Why, boy? Did the British Crown already level Philadelphia without our foreknowledge?" "No, General, sir. The Congress was engaged...in a most disturbingly serene dance." "Dear God, we are doomed..."
From the start of this villain song, Dickenson starts off smiling and becomes progressively more venomous and sinister until he is yelling his lines at the end
Love the character but at the same time I cringe that the show felt the need to turn one of our founding fathers into an antagonist. He wasn’t for fighting but was still one of our Founding Fathers after all.
Dickinson is misrepresented here. He was only a pacifist in that he believed the US should not strike first, but gladly joined the military and stopped contending the move for independence when Britain landed forces in America.
The look on that messenger boy's face when he shows up to deliver a message from George Washington, only to discover everyone in Congress singing and doing ballet is pure gold!
@@raebaer8580 Kennedy had Marilyn Monroe killed so she wouldn't spill the beans on their affair as she had threatened to do if he didn't leave his wife. The Clintons have suicided practically everyone they've ever met. Obama funded Iran in their mass murders and Biden, besides having to drop out of 2 presidential races for lying and plagiarism and said that he didn't want his kids going to an integrated school because it would be a racial jungle. Nixon is a saint compared to them.
He’s used to watching these peacocks strut and preen and has long since stopped being impressed by it. He also appreciates that things are a lot further along than these men want to admit and they were already past the point of no return.
@@oliverbrownlow5615 they address that in the number. And Hancock brushes them off and tells them things are a lot different than they appreciate. The very fact they were debating the viability of independence meant there was no going back.
Incredible- was just reading a DePauw University article today about the history of this musical. It was released in 1969, in a deeply divided country, torn by the Vietnam War, Nixon, and mistrust of the government. Howard De Silva, who played Benjamin Franklin, performed with the rest of the cast in the White House and the next day was protesting outside the White House against the Vietnam War. Despite the intense divide, this musical attracted both sides, who yes, saw it through different lenses but also found the same hope in this act of America's foundation - the Declaration of Independence.
This will always be my favorite movie and musical. I’m also a big history buff and I really appreciate how the musical/movie of course takes liberties for creative storytelling purposes, they did capture the mood of the time, the uncertainty, the clashing perspectives, the idealism, the risks and actually quoting letters in the lyrics. It also forever cemented John Adams as my favorite founding father and HBO’s John Adams just deepened that favoritism. 😆
Glad this was added back into the director’s cut! I get that it was considered too controversial for the theatrical release, but it’s too great to leave out.
Donald Madden ("John Dickinson") (1933-1983) had been a successful Broadway stage actor for years, and made a couple of appearances on TV. He was the only actor who didn't play the role in the original Broadway production. This was his first and only movie he ever made.
That's not entirely true. Betty Buckley was replaced by Blythe Danner in the movie, and John Collum was a replacement Rutledge on stage. Several other supporting actors were also not in the original cast. But bravo for producing a movie that, on the whole, retained the Broadway cast!
Wonderful, classic movie from one of the best plays ever written! I was fortunate enough to work in a theatre where it showed in 1972. I loved it so much that I recorded the movie on audio cassette and played that to death until the VHS and then the DVD arrived.
When I was a kid I happened to turn the movie on while it was playing TV. It was in progress so I didn't know how much of movie I had missed. Turns out I hadn't missed anything because the song that was playing was when i had first flicked the channel was Sit down John. I bought the script in paperback and I learned the Sit-down John speech. After that first year I noticed that a local station would play this movie every fourth of July weekend, and like I would do during telecasts of West Side Story or the Sound of Music, I sat there with my tape recorder and recorded the musical numbers off the TV speakers as the movie was telecast. My favorite numbers were Sit down John, He plays the Violin and the Egg.
“Well, perhaps not. But don't forget that most men with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich than face the reality of being poor. AND THAT IS WHY THEY WILL FOLLOW US….!”
Fun fact: the first advocate of a tax on inherited wealth-was Thomas Paine. He saw it as necessary to prevent a landed gentry from cropping up in the infant nation. The inheritance tax was repealed by a certain relatively recent president who is himself the product of inherited wealth.
Clever rhyming structure. I used to think the songs in this musical didn't hit the mark in a traditional sense, as the tunes & lyrics seemed rather clunky & not all that melodic. One critic referred to the movie as depicting "an off-key revolution". Upon repeated viewings over the years, however, I've come to appreciate & enjoy the songs & lyrics. The one I find the catchiest, the most melodically memorable, is "He Plays the Violin". It now would be difficult if not impossible for me to imagine "1776" without all its songs now, each having its own particular value to the plot, several of which are quite moving, off-key or not!
Nice post. The song which says it all for me is "Molasses to Rum". It's the heart of the show, memorably sung in the film by John Cullum as Edward Rutledge. Cullum wasn't the original Rutledge on Broadway, but, as I recall, he sang more performances of it on Broadway than any other actor.
This scene is in the DVD version. Nixon convinced the producer to eliminate it from the theatre version and to destroy the copy of this scene, but someone in the production company saved it and held onto it, to come up with it when the DVD came out Nixon was out of power.
" But don't forget that most men with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich than face the reality of being poor. And that is why they will follow us!"
@@amandabearss797 Same. I'm glad this art exists and am supremely proud of the acting in this scene which all goes to express the childish greed exhibited on the right
I resisted watching this initially, because I thought the writing of the Declaration of Independence to be a peculiar choice for a musical. I have since come to realize how brilliant it is and what an insight into the times. My husband and I watch it every July 4th (and 2-3 times during the year) along with the six-part PBS documentary "Liberty! The American Revolution," which is also brilliant. They are tutorials on the founding of our country, and this is my favorite song in the film. Listen to John Hancock, one of the richest men in the colonies, when he says to John Dickinson, "Traitors to what? To the British Crown or the British half-crown? Fortunately there are not enough men of property in America to dictate policy". There are now.
It's certainly one you can do the most with, but I love that it was not the first act closer - putting "Mama, Look Sharp," so sad and subdued, right after this and just before intermission, was a knockout choice.
This is one of three songs Nixon wanted cut from the film 'Mother, look sharp' about a young boy soldier bleeding to death while his mother searches for him. The Vietnam War was still going on and conscription of college age boys was doubled that year, so not thoughts he wanted people to have. 'Sugar to rum' calls out the northern colonies hypocrisy about slavery. Sugar was grown in the south, but Rum was mostly made in northern factories (Portland, Maine/then still part of Massachusetts, was basically rum factories, warehouses and a lot ship building docks until a warning shot during the war of 1812 hit one and burned the city down.)
Paul Hecht played it on stage and was on the cast recording . He also Performed it at The White House in front of Nixon, Nixon wanted it cut then...Hecht was quoted as saying ... " I sang it with Brechtian vigor ..and dare I say Venom!" lol...Hecht sang it wonderfully on the cast recording..Donald Madden is great in the film...I would have loved to have seen Hecht in the role on film.
"Most men with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich than face the reality of being poor" Yeesh this has continued to age beautifully
“Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.” - John Steinbeck
Some famous actors came out of this: William Daniels (John Adams); Howard DaSilva (Benjamin Franklin); Ken Howard (Thomas Jefferson) also, Howard Caine (Lewis Morris) played "Major Hochsteader" on Hogan's Heroes; John Cullum (Edward Rutledge) would go on to "Northern Exposure"; James Noble (Rev. John Witherspoon) from "Benson".
Dasilva had been an established actor in Hollywood and on the stage in the 40s. But was blacklisted.I believe 1776 marked his return to the big screen in a role he is forever identified with. The best screen portrayal of Benjamin Franklin
@@edwinhill9410 well, you’re almost right. He was an actor...so you got that okay. And he was blacklisted, for a minute (but still worked steadily)...really, would a moment’s research be too much to ask before you vomit forth billshit?
@@Invictus13666 He was blacklisted from film for far too many years and only earned a living doing theatre (Where we, of the theatre do not blacklist!)
Watching this in 2022! I saw the movie when it first came out and loved it. I knew this was in that movie because it was my favorite but later, watching it on tv I was amazed to see it had been cut. Later learned about Nixon not liking the song.. etc. It is perfect for our times. Cool Cool Conservative men-ruining peoples lives.
@@jakeg3126 Not just that, but the term used left and right for the song wasn't just for the board, but related to something that hadn't happened yet. The French Revolution. The anti-royalist revolutionaries seated themselves to the presiding officer’s left, while the more conservative, aristocratic supporters of the monarchy gathered to the right. So, indeed these conservatives, not to be confused with classical liberalism which would be considered more modern conservatism in the U.S., would go to the right, as they were not the anti-royalist revolutionaries like John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and company. So, they therefore gathered to the right, it matches with the song. Sorry to go on a long rant, but I have to explain this scene often to people.
@@Mathadar 'So, indeed these conservatives, not to be confused with classical liberalism which would be considered more modern conservatism in the U.S.' Im a little confused by this.. i understand the political left/right terminology didn't appear until the French Revolution, so the use of the term in this song is anachronistic (though that shouldn't be that big a problem) but the aforementioned statement trips me up. are you saying that the "cool considerate" conservative men of this song do not resemble the modern conservatives? Classical liberalism ideology applies both to modern conservatives as well as these folk, wouldn't you agree?
Dickinson calls them "cool, cool conservative men" at the beginning of the song. Lots to things made Nixon furious about this scene. The goose step dance sent him to the moon.
@@kingbadmovie The South Carolinian slaver is one of the reprehensible elements of the traditional way of life that the Pennsylvanian loyalist is trying to protect.
I love how Massachusetts (except Mr. Hancock), New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware (except Mr. Read), New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia's delegates aren't seen in this scene. I feel like some of these guys we only see for this song lol! Great song though!! Love this movie!
The musical accompaniment in the last "to the right" section is so brilliant.. it's hard to describe in words how accurately it describes the perception of the modern right wing. Sherman Edwards' underrated as heck.
So happy to see this song -- and this scene -- restored. I'm not sure why this song "agitated" Mr. Nixon as it did. It isn't disrespectful in any way. And it's a catchy tune. Thank you for sharing.
The line about men with nothing preferring to protect the possibility of becoming rich rather than face the reality of being poor strikes pretty much at the heart of the modern right wing.
"Most men with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich than face the reality of being poor." True sir, until they realize that there was never a possibility, then they will do ANYTHING.
4:52 "... Don't forget that most men with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich than face the reality of being poor." I've been a life long Republican and nothing has shaken those GOP ideals I've had for so long. But this scene and this line really did. My mother always skipped this scene when I was growing up. I believe the reason given was that the song was too boring.
Actually it was taken out by Jack Warner himself at the behest of Richard Nixon who viewed it privately and was offended by this number "Cool, Considerate Men. It was restored with other scenes in later years.
Also it isn’t a matter of partisan ideals it is rooted in both parties you clearly don’t understand the nature of American politics they are both snakes which we take the venom of be sure to choose the lesser of the evils friend. That’s why I vote out of necessity and of fear that inaction is what led us here first
@@boxman7044 True, but I feel you missed the point. The platform of "cool conservative men" isn't confined to one political party, but rather the concept that if people voted in their best interest instead of anticipation of an "American dream" that they otherwise cannot hope to obtain, "conservative" ideals would never take hold in the common voting populace. Instead, most people want to keep lower taxes for the rich in perceived anticipation that they will one day be rich, rather than vote for higher taxes for the rich so the bus they ride to work might have AC in summer.
@@kingbadmovie nonono read his comment again he specifically targets one political party I see them both for what they are they lie,cheat, and manipulate and it all really started with good ole Lyndon b Johnson and Nixon
It's common, in stage productions of this show, for the dancers in this number to move only to the right. They look and move to the left here and there in this clip.
Nixon hated this song. He found it too anti-conservative and detested the goose step. He convinced the producer to cut it and to destroy the clip, so it wasn't in the movie as presented in the theaters, but someone in the production company saved it and it was restored for the DVD.
@@kingbadmovie I suspect you misunderstood hehe, the president Nixon here was doing the opposite of having basic respect for artists and their art by having the song and this entire scene removed from those old releases of the film. We only have this scene thanks to someone storing it away although it was not meant to be kept.
As a song, I love it. The music and performances are all excellent. As a reflection of history, I think it's dreadfully unfair to Dickinson, and turns what was a conservative Quaker with a natural dislike for war and rather egalitarian notions on women's rights into a haphazardly projected strawman of mid-twentieth century Progressives' disdain for neoliberal Republicans. An unfortunate deformity in an otherwise excellent musical.
@@Taki_toad Eh, at least back then the conservatives had the guts to cut it, no matter what its meaning was. If a scene like this was done today about the democrats, you can expect them to call it racist and have it boycotted by all the major publishers. Politics isn't a fair game, and the republicans have been playing too fair for too long. Today is the end result.
@@cromanticheer Haha, did you really just say that? Watergate is child's play in today's political world. Just look at the ongoing trial with Hillary's attorney regarding her team lying to the FBI about the falsified Trump-Russia collusion, or the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. Nixon is remembered for Watergate, but he did a lot of good things that he doesn't get credit for. My comment simply pointed out that back then we had the guts and pull to play a dirty game, something that Democrats are constantly doing today.
@@geordi5054 A conservative president censored a film because it criticized his politics. You can make up all the fairy tales in your head you'd like about what *could* have happened but this is the fact of the matter, and one that needs repeating, apparently.
I saw this movie for the first time in 1973, in the 6th grade. This is the scene and the song I loved the most. Somehow, 50 years later and given my political leanings, it makes sense. (But really, it’s a brilliant song.)
Cool Conservative men--listen to the words--not considerate. The song "ever to the right" was edited out of the original showing, but the political message was there.
Did you all know that Nixon requested that this song be removed from the play due to it being critical against conservatism? It was only recently restored in this film after the producer, in his deathbed, said he regretted removing the song from the original play at the President's request.
Then again it's quite understandable why it was removed. Why interject modern politics that polarize the audience on a piece meant to celebrate the creation America.
@@geordi5054 Whilst it is true 1776 spends some time celebrating, it also spends a good amount of time questioning. This song, as well as Molasses to Rum are great examples of this. Also, to state the Landed Aristocracy were not interested in guarding their conservative interests in 1776 would be plainly incorrect. Whilst they wouldn't have used the term "to the right" (in the musical the attempt at justification, being that everyone in favor of independence in the room is on the left of the voting board.) to describe their beliefs, they would have shared many of the same sentiments as shared in this song. Edit: Clarification
@@dragonfire7354 This scene is plainly incorrect in so many ways. First off, twisting Dickinson's character into an apathetic, rich 'conservative' who cares about nothing but preserving his own wealth and status - completely uncharacteristic of him. Dickinson was a progressivist quaker, he believed in equality, women's rights, and freed all his slaves. His opposition to independence was from his quaker belief that compromise was preferable to war, he fully supported independence after the rejection of the olive branch, abstaining from the vote unlike how this film portrays him. The writers twisted his character so as to blatantly attack conservatives. This piece completely ahistorical and unnecessary.
@@coloradoing9172 with the main conflict being securing votes needed for a congressional measure, in this case adopting the declaration of independence, you need to amp up the drama. this dulls the complexity of real people into character representations and archetypes. Dickinson got the villain treatment here, yes, and it doesn't take into consideration those aspects of him. It would be a fair criticism if the point was to make a completely above the board historically accurate melodrama. but this is a broadway musical. you need heroes and villains and strife.
Not from the play, just from the film. I don't think Nixon ever saw the stage version. I worked in a production of the play in 1972 and this number was in there. Nixon convinced the producer of the film to remove this number and destroy the film, but someone in the production company saved it and got it back into the DVD version.
@@kievmatwijcow4668 Why? Because "Hamilton" doesn't match up with your generational expectations of what makes a musical? Then you must have absolutely hated "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Oh! Calcutta!"
I don’t know what party you are attacking there. I think your calling out Republicans but they aren’t cool with Democrats making fentanyl the #1 killer of people in their 20s and 30s and inflation being out the butt. However they are and were being considerate to people by doing the exact opposite. They also were more considerate when they were trying to allow us to not wear masks.
The description is correct. it was actually cut from the movie and eventually restored for a home release. "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" was cut from the film prior to its release and not included on the soundtrack recording nor on the first VHS tapes and laserdiscs. The Los Angeles Times stated "The song 'Cool, Cool, Considerate Men' depicts Revolutionary War-era conservatives as power-hungry wheedlers focused on maintaining wealth."[10] According to Jack L. Warner, the film's producer and a friend of President Richard Nixon, Nixon requested the song be removed. He apparently saw it as an insult, as it suggested the conservatives were hindering American independence as they danced a minuet singing the song that included the stanza,
@@hipflipped It all depends what one means by conservative. The term is routinely applied to things it is not. For example, Southern Democrats who voted for the New Deal are relentlessly labeled "conservatives" in order to make certain people's narratives work.
What a great scene, what a showstopper it is. This scene's discovery (it was thought lost forever) was a great surprise to everyone. Studio head & producer Jack Warner cut it out of the film originally so it would not offend President Reagan and the conservative GOP party, shocking the film’s director and play's creators. It was thought permanently lost until an old Workprint was discovered in the studio archives..... the missing scene was intact. It was beautifully restored and put back into the new edition BLU-RAY, and so here it is today - a permanent part of the film, and always there whenever shown on TV. The director was said to be deliriously happy with its insertion to the film, as he considered this the best number. Moving ahead to Today, this sequence still has the force to comment upon the present, and the inaction of our President and Senate in these Coronavirus times. Note the lyrics "Never to exceed, Regulated speed - No matter what the need." Indeed, it seems prophetic.
It is the best number, I love it. And I'm a conservative, so I find it odd Nixon would object... But then again he was a prickly jerk. Conservatism is the philosophy that change should be considered hard and resisted or at most implemented slowly, thus tends to favor the status quo. Consequently, the merit of that status quo is very relevant to the merits of conservatism. I would not have been a conservative in 1776, nor would many in the 1970s at least by their current philosophy, though I probably wouldn't have had the balls to be fully on board with Adams early on if I'm honest.
I read that the editor who was tasked with removing the scene from the original negative did, but preserved the cut scene, rather than destroying it as ordered.
@@geordi5054, I believe that you are mistaken about the violation of civil rights. This group of conservatives were withholding their support for the struggle for the rights of Americans, rights that were violated by the Stamp Act, Townsend Act, Sugar Act and Tea Act, and the quartering of soldiers in private homes, etc. Furthermore, most of these cool, considerate, conservative congressmen were slaveholders. Their conservatism was not reluctance to trample civil rights; it was reluctance to endanger their personal, individual fortunes.
