PETER PAN (1976): FORGOTTEN TELEVISION

PETER PAN (1976) – This Hallmark/ ITV joint venture is not as good as the Mary Martin or Sandy Duncan versions or the original Disney animated movie, but its obscurity made it a “must review” item for Balladeer’s Blog. Dwight Hemion directed this telefilm with Andrew Birkin and American comedian Jack Burns (of Burns and Schreiber fame) adapting the screenplay.

The fourteen new songs for this Peter Pan were written and composed by Leslie Bricusse of Scrooge, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and so many other musicals. Anthony Newley, Bricusse’s long time musical partner, worked with him on this project as well.

MIA FARROW, in her Rosemary’s Baby hairdo, portrays the title character with an accent on the little boy aspect of “the boy who wouldn’t grow up”. It’s interesting to watch her depict Peter’s cockiness as more like bravado to cover up how frightened he is. Not brilliant, but interesting. Her singing is okay.

DANNY KAYE gets to play Captain Hook and Mr. Darling after a previous film project with him in those roles fell through years earlier. The veteran Kaye steals the show in his usual comedic and boisterous fashion, making his Captain Hook my personal favorite from all of the versions of Peter Pan.

PAULA KELLY brings Princess Tiger Lily to life in a sexier version than some parents may like. Only Anna May Wong as Tiger Lily in the 1924 silent movie Peter Pan might rival her for sultriness.

Paula was allowed to do choreography for her own scenes with her tribal backup dancers. Kelly is a standout but may be distracting for James Barrie purists.

BRIONY ROBERTS portrays Wendy Darling as a girl, with Jill Gascoine in the role of the adult Wendy.

VIRGINIA MCKENNA, the one and only, costars as Mrs. Darling.

JOHN GIELGUD narrates the production, and JULIE ANDREWS sings Once Upon a Bedtime over the credits.

GEORGE HARRIS, also known from the Harry Potter films and especially as Captain Katanga in Raiders of the Lost Ark, plays one of Hook’s pirate crew.

The special effects are, oddly enough, cheap looking even for a 1976 television movie. Tinker Bell is presented as a prop that is nowhere near Suzy Snowflake quality let alone 70s quality. The flying scenes tend to be a bit better but not by much.

Overall, however, the less than great individual aspects of this Peter Pan come together in such a way that makes it feel very special and it’s ideal for watching with your family gathered together. Although Paula Kelly may turn your boys into men and make them realize that maybe Peter should WANT to grow up. For some reason. 

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