The Pied Piper of Hamelin

(1958)

87 minutes

Film / Classics / Musical / Comedy / Family

Directed by Bretaigne Windust

Cast:

Van Johnson as Pied Piper aka Truson
Claude Rains as Mayor of Hamelin
Lori Nelson as Mara
Jim Backus as King's Emissary
Kay Starr as John's Mother
Doodles Weaver as Counselor
Stanley Adams as Counselor

The singing, rhyming citizens of Hamelin hope to win a competition with rival towns for royal recognition.  To this end, the mayor outlaws play, which is a bit hard on the children, and refuses to help a rival town when it's flooded.  But rats, seen only as shadows, fleeing the flood, invade Hamelin in droves.  A magical piper, whose music only children, and rats, can hear, strikes a bargain.  But once the rats are gone, the Mayor and council renege on the agreement, to their subsequent regret.