Possibly one of the most bizarre films I have never seen, The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T was written by none other than Dr. Seuss himself, and his musical score was nominated for an Oscar in 1953.
Among its surreal sets and over-the-top fantastical storyline, here is one of the campest musical numbers ever, featuring the film's villain Dr. Terwilliker getting dressed to conduct his 500-boy piano symphony (well, who wouldn't?). Enjoy!
It seems fairly obvious that this film was destined to become a cult - and its influences can be seen in films such as Willy Wonka, and in modern characters like Mr Burns in The Simpsons. [Incidentally, Dr. T is played by Hans Conried, who was the voice of Captain Hook in the animated Peter Pan.]
There is currently a Broadway musical of The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T in development with a new score by Glen Roven, who has a long history of musical arrangements for theatre and TV, working with (among others) Comden & Green, Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis; he conducted the inaugural concerts for Presidents Clinton and Bush, and also worked on the production of the ill-fated "sexual musical" Let My People Come (from which we have the very strange soundtrack!).
I wait with trepidation for Tim Burton to catch on to this one...
Dr T (Terwilliker & Sideshow Bob Terwilliger of The Simpson's. named are derived from a Dutch New Amsterdam settler who took the name Terwilliger & alternative spellings from living near by willow trees ... It is a Dutch American name that is found in the States & parts of Canada ...
ReplyDeleteFascinating... Jx
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