Strengthen the Dwelling
Gord Wilson | Bellingham, WA USA | 06/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Lively but overlong" Leonard Maltin said of this 1967 Disney theatrical film which immediately followed Mary Poppins. The company apparently agreed, and the film was later shortened to run on the Disney Channel, where it gained a new audience. This film was the last that Walt personally oversaw, and already the old guard was passing, lavish musicals giving way to experimental films and terse pop/ rock acts presaging videos. Now, however, this musical, very much in the old school vein, is again gaining new life, even in the re-lengthened "Roadshow" version, circulating again on DVD.
Why does the CD feature a lavish art montage cover when the DVD simply has a photo of Fred MacMurray? Because the CD was made from the record, and album jackets frequently picked up the theme of the movie poster graphics. As viewers likely noted, the film looks like what it is, a filmed play from a book, and the sets resemble a stage more than a film set. This means that the musical numbers are set off in small vignettes, bits of story staged apart from the action. This worked in Mary Poppins because the show is almost entirely musical, and due to the unbounded verve of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, both then at the top of their form.
The Happiest Millionaire has an unexplained and odd premise, that Fred MacMurray is running a Bible and boxing school. The only thing that even alludes to it is one song, "Strengthen the Dwelling," and in the film you can't hear most of the words. On the soundtrack you can, even though it's a rather short song: right there a reason to get the soundtrack. There's also a dark, underlying theme about enemy attacks and the escalating threat to America, leading to war. The film is meant to show this effect on the life of rich socialites, but it seems papered over by gala wedding plans.
Both Leslie Ann Warren and John Davidson make their film debuts here, and the film could have ended with a rousing reprise of "Detroit" instead of petering out at the end. The worst song, which was cut from the shortened version, was actually released as a single, "It Won't Be Long 'til Christmas". What most viewers consider the best song, "Fortuosity", was a late addition when Tommy Steele was added as the unsinkable Irish butler, and for at least half the movie, it's his film. This soundtrack includes the original opening number that song replaced, "Off Rittenhouse Square," which is suggestive of the other best vignette piece, "There Are Those". Had the earlier opening been kept, the film would have been more cohesive but far less memorable.
The orchestral parts also play well on the soundtrack CD, recalling the eclipsed era when soundtrack records included instrumental pieces from the films. One may view this CD as a restored treasure from the past, or as Walt's swan song. Either way, numerous fans will welcome this restored and remastered version on CD. Joyous strains of "Fortuosity" may again be heard drifting from showers worldwide, and at the gym, a rousing call to "Strengthen the Dwelling"."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
