mark.waltz The rebroadcast of this on T.V. in the 1980's was my first of many musical trips into the mind of James Barrie, the author of this theatrical classic. Since then, I've seen this on stage live with Cathy Rigby, took a trip into how Peter got the hook on the notorious captain in a Broadway prequel, and took on an adventure with Barrie himself in his own Broadway musical. There have also been viewings of the recent live remake as well as the Disney version, and research on the many stage interpretations of the story, several of them with completely different songs.So how does this version stand up to the test of time? It's a mixed bag, but I would be compared to a legendary Charles Dickens character if I were to diminish the reputation of this family favorite. Mary Martin is certainly more famous than just "being J.R. Ewing's real life mother". She scored legendary status by starring in the Broadway smashes of several Rodgers and Hammerstein shows and already had done this on tour, on Broadway and on live television when she repeated the part for a videotaped version. With strings obviously attached, she kept the spark going, even though she was nearing 50.The score is pretty complete and the choreography at times emulates what Jerome Robbins had done on stage. In cramped camera quarters, it comes off a bit stagy and claustrophobic, but the dancers are eager to please even though it's often a bit juvenile.Cyril Ritchard is funny and sometimes scary as Hook, although he's not dangerous in the typical pirate sense. His soliloquy over his character's legend is very funny, as is his description of the lovable Smee (Joe E. Marks). It's obvious to me from having been more surprised of how much I loved this on stage that it does work better in the theater. As long as there is an ageless woman around like Martin and the likes of Jean Arthur, Sandy Duncan and Cathy Rigby, this will continue to get produced and audiences will not become sick of it.

cynthiano I agree that the lead character of "Peter Pan" was masterfully played by the late Mary Martin. The dance routines with the "Indians" were very humorous, but may be considered racist today, especially since the chief was played by a blond (Sondra Lee). My children particularly liked the music and singing. Also they were thrilled with the movie magic of flight, which was pretty good, considering this was a televised stage play from over 40 years ago. I would say the biggest drawback to this movie is also its greatest attribute, which is Peter Pan himself (or herself). My 2 year old kept saying he is a girl. I know it has become a tradition for Peter to be played by a female, but it is rather confusing to young children.

Philoalexandros Awesome! Clearly, the commenter above didn't know one thing from another. The characters were masterfully played. Peter Pan was delightfully mischievous and willful while Captain Hook was devious and intriguing. The children sometimes got a little on the annoying side, but they are little to be dealt with, though Wendy could be accused of being whiny. Tinker Bell was classically played. Though Tiger Lily couldn't be played by today's standards, her song is fun as well are the animals which chase around Neverland. This makes a great play for children with active imaginations to watch and which parents can sit through without hitting themselves over the head with an empty video box. Fun, light hearted music and a hint of a moral.

suzyqfd what the medium for this production was. It was one of the first Broadway stage productions that had been duplicated exactly for television. The idea was ahead of it's time, and also has preserved Mary Martin's and the rest of the cast's memorable performances which otherwise would have been lost forever. People today are too much into "special effects" instead of good down home theater. All of the performers perform admirably. My son cannot get enough of this video and I'm happy to say that I was able to obtain it when it was reissued a few years back. I wish we had more of this type of entertainment of the "classics". If anyone knows of any, let me know if at all possible.