1776 - 'He Plays the Violin', from the 1972 American musical drama film directed by Peter H. Hunt.

'He Plays the Violin', from the 1972 American musical drama film directed by Peter H. Hunt.
1776 is a 1972 American musical drama film directed by Peter H. Hunt. The screenplay by Peter Stone was based on his book for the 1969 Broadway musical of the same name. The song score was composed by Sherman Edwards. The film stars William Daniels, Howard Da Silva, Donald Madden, John Cullum, Ken Howard and Blythe Danner.
Portions of the dialogue and some of the song lyrics were taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants of the Second Continental Congress.

[@christiankrenek7689]

Something I really love about this musical and movie is that it shows the joy of the Colonial America era. Most history books depict this age as stodgy, repressed, and straitlaced, which is accurate to a degree. But people still fell in love, still danced, still shared jokes…this movie brings all of that to life. I like that. :)

[@seveng1147]

Exactly time and technology change but human nature has never changed we are who we always were just with different views, different information, different tools

[@lavenderotaku2481]

I am so JEALOUS of her dress ugh. Absolutely gorgeous number and costume design.

[@drjlrust]

It reminds me of Lady Sarah Chatto's (Queen Elizabeth's niece) wedding dress from 1994. That was one of the prettiest wedding dresses in royal history. Very simple, but breathtaking.

[@gracewenzel]

“Why, just what you’d expect…” Adams’ and Franklin’s faces after that line are the best

[@TheMovieUniverse]

"That's it John were taking up the violin!"

[@WillScarlet16]

"No wonder the man couldn't write! How could think of independence married to HER?"

[@nathangonzalez9710]

The bit about Ben being surprised that John can dance is funny on so many levels. John Addams was generally a stick in the mud/ pain in the ass to everyone around him. Which made him a mostly poor diplomat, preticularly in France. Where he refused to take a mistress like ever other diplomat. Which puzzled the f out of French, he wouldnt even dance with women while there, no one could figure out why. Until his wife Abigail came to France, then it became clear to the French. See Abigail was in her mid to late 40s at the time and she was still stupidly gorgeous. Like 10/10, often commented about how she was the most beautiful woman in the room, even with the queen there, an artist there lamented that he didnt have a chance to paint her in her younger years. No one could understand how John had gotten Abigail to marry him. Then they went to a ball and John surprised everyone when it turned out he was actually a fantastic dancer with his wife. He aslo became wity in a charming way instead of biting, and actually started being likedish in France. Someone even commented that if they had sent Mrs Addams from the beginning, the negotiations would have lasted 2 weeks. She even danced with King Louis several times, and had many a man requesting a chance to dance with her at every ball she attended. John even danced with other women at his wifes instance, turning out to be a spectacular dancer with every women there. Some even comenting on how when his wife was there he became handsome. Yes John Addams was disliked, but his wife brought out the best in him.

[@broadwaymike92]

Blythe's Martha Jefferson..... seriously reminds me of Aurora from Sleeping Beauty!!

[@phoenix.maximus]

she definitely has some diz-nee princess qualities. that dress 😍

[@gsearingg]

Makes me sad when she speaks of dying.... Poor Mr. J. :(

[@jacobgarrity9055]

That’s Gwyneth Paltrow”s Mother who starred in the Meet the Fockers movies with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. A historic thing to see her as Thomas Jefferson wife

[@Charliecomet82]

And Gwyneth was daughter Patsy in "Jefferson in Paris."

[@hypocriteflower449]

We don't talk about Jefferson in Paris.......

[@Hal09i]

And she was pregnant with Gweneth when this was being filmed...

[@TheBandit025Nova]

Pepper’s mom

[@tweso1499]

JUST LEARNED SOMETHING NEW!! THANK YOU FOLKS!!!

[@CrimsonNineTail]

Ben Franklin was witty in this portrayal. Loved it.

[@terrymarvin]

William Daniels took dancing lessons when he was a child. He and his younger sisters took dancing lessons when they were children.

[@mbd4820]

That shot of Daniels smiling with the hand flourish at 3:42 is so great

[@jackbuckley7816]

Yes, indeed. Also at about 4:32 when she turns to face John & Ben from the steps of the stairway---she's both beautiful & magical there!

[@scottcarey8410]

Sometimes a violin is not a violin 🎻..

[@kt9166]

Wonderful, classic movie from one of the best plays ever written! I was fortunate enough to work in a theatre where it showed in 1972. I loved it so much that I recorded the movie on audio cassette and played that to death until the VHS and then the DVD arrived.

[@Fake_Jesus]

I love this

[@bruhmoment11111]

She died so young too. It's a sad story

[@bluepuppy9863]

She’s…. Still alive?

[@Morncreek]

@@bluepuppy9863 They probably are referring to the real-life Martha Jefferson. She died at the age of 33.

[@Charliecomet82]

You can see where Gwyneth got her good looks!

[@PapaLobo94]

Tbh, I always thought Blythe Danner looked very fetching, even as she got older

[@sharpaycutie2]

Her mom ?!🤯

[@Nickel287]

@@sharpaycutie2 yes

[@karenamy2117]

You GO Mr.A! 💃

[@lavalamp625]

Wow it's eerie how much Gwyneth resembles her at this age.

[@drjlrust]

Blythe has more refined behavior and looks. She's absolutely lovely.

[@phantomwriter2629]

Mr. A I am taking my wife back to bed. Please, kindly go away. Mr. J

[@PapaLobo94]

Spoken like a straight boss 😎

[@annedonovan9005]

I wish that had been kept in the clip. Too funny.

[@_somerandomguyontheinternet_]

Very sad that they cut it out 😭

[@SexySkoChick]

😂😆😭🤣

[@WingsOfASong]

This song is so much fun to sing and dance to, I loved it immediately the first time I saw this. And immediately fell for Martha as well, I get why Tom loved her so much lmao

[@robertpolityka8464]

Mr Feeny's so old that Ben Franklin saw him dancing.....

[@homelesshannah50]

LOL!!!

[@animalamy8557]

I’m actually related to Thomas Jefferson!

[@whitneybauswell2032]

Just a random thought but Tom is so irritated with John but Franklin... I’d be more worried about him honestly especially if Tom caught that look Ben gives her when he first saw her in the apartment

[@annedonovan9005]

Franklin was well known for his 'affairs'. But mostly he took up with older women. Adams was happily married.

[@sparkyggreatmusic450]

Love this film saw it years ago. Thank you

[@OrmondsStopMotion]

Just what I was looking for thanks

[@msw0322]

FEENY! FEE HEE HEE EEEENEY!!

[@riversong4997]

_FEENY!!!!!!!!_ Ooh, that was a new one!

[@riversong4997]

Lmao Franklin's such a creeper in this movie 😂 Although he was quite the ladies' man irl.

[@kennethwayne6857]

A bit kinder to say 'dirty old man'.

[@whitneybauswell2032]

But are ladies men creepy? He was too charming for his own good quite frankly

[@riversong4997]

@@kennethwayne6857 lol you're totally right. I should have said it differently.

[@themorrigan7224]

Ben Franklin himself probably would have called himself a dirty old man 😂

[@homelesshannah50]

If he's UGLY then he's a dirty old man@@whitneybauswell2032

[@zarinaa1135]

Finally! Thank you for posting this!

[@OrmondsStopMotion]

Agreed!

[@annedonovan9005]

Amen. One of my favorite scenes in the movie.

[@CraigFrancisSoto]

Why isn't the great Betty Buckley singing this?. I saw her sing it on Broadway in 1969. What a voice !

[@JackKirbyFan]

I wondered it as well. I did some research and could not get that answer. IMHO, I prefer this version. At least on the cast recording, Betty's vibrato and intensity was a bit much for me but that's personal taste. This person has a softer and more melodic voice which I think works better for a film.

[@CraigFrancisSoto]

@@JackKirbyFan Yes Dave,you are probably right about a 'softer' voice suiting this role better. However,I saw Betty sing this live in the Broadway show and she sounded drastically different than the cast recording. Her vibrato was perfect(to my taste)and not too rapid.I also saw her in 1985 in the' Edwin Drood' musical. Her voice is strong but it is so beautifully resonant. On stage her voice just seems to sail and cut through the air like a knife. Just stunning. By the way,listen to some of her songs from the very short lived 'Carrie' musical. Its here on KZbin somewhere. I think you'll be amazed,even if you generally prefer lighter and softer voices. I know I'm biased.I've always loved her voice .Better in person than on many of her recordings. I don't know why,but it is.

[@JackKirbyFan]

@@CraigFrancisSotoThanks for the reply. Ya, the vibrato on the cast recording was bit overpowering. Wish I could have seen the live recording on stage instead. Incidentally, I did some reading and the original cut for 1776 is still longer than the 'restored director's cut. Apparently about 15 minutes are still missing. Sigh, I want the complete production!

[@7grandmac]

I don’t know if the singing is dubbed over or not. Though if we’re assuming that it isn’t dubbed over, the one singing would be Blythe Danner, mother of Gwenyth Paltrow, who looks almost identical to her.

[@DavidN369]

Because Betty was not yet the name at the time the film was made, and Blythe, though not a household name, had made her TV/media name in things like "The Seagull" and "Eccentricities of a Nightingale" after winning the Tony, and Jack Warner found her more photogenic. And yes, she is doing her own singing.

[@michaelwalker8144]

I love Betty Buckley and I love Blythe

[@hellosurname4128]

where can I get a dress like that!

[@josephcook6442]

"Dear Mr. Adams, I am taking my wife back to bed. Kindly go away. Your Obedient, T. Jefferson

[@Itstonytime77]

Is this song a Metaphor for something else lol

[@AutismThespian1993]

My guess is prob!! The new production at American Repertory Theater makes that clear. A wonderful number!!

[@drjlrust]

I think it means just what the words say. The image of Jefferson playing his violin for Martha and then dancing with her is incredibly romantic.

[@obiephillips9174]

Gwyn's Mama.

[@cacao_0000]

I can't help but notice, despite how gorgeous her dress is, it's pretty period inaccurate lol.

[@michelelindor]

I wonder if she knew about Sally 👀

[@Madison-iw8ix]

Well, they were half sisters, so probably.

[@pixilotol]

jefferson’s affair with her was because of martha dying, but yes she would of know about her since they where half sisters.

[@hypocriteflower449]

Oh screw off with that crap.....

[@annedonovan9005]

That was after she died I believe.

[@AlexPastGrey]

"I've never heard him utter 3 sentences in Congress" About 20 years later Jefferson: If there's a fire you're trying to douse, you can't put it out from inside the house. I'm in the cabinet, I am complicit in watchin him grabbin at power and kissin it. If Washington isn't gon listen to disciplined dissidents, this is the difference, this kid is out!

[@nataliasettipani5148]

e never speaks his passions He never speaks his views Whereas other men speak volumes The man I love is mute In truth, I can't recall Being wooed with words at all Even now He plays the violin He tucks it right under his chin And he bows, oh he bows For he knows, yes he knows 3M1.1K Ice Spice “Munch (Feelin’ U)” (Live Performance) | Open Mic NOW PLAYINGCoast Contra “Never Freestyle' Official Lyrics & Meaning | VerifiedIce Spice “Munch (Feelin’ U)” (Live Performance) | Open MicSub Urban “UH OH!” Official Lyrics & Meaning | VerifiedLouis Theroux “Jiggle Jiggle” Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified That it's heigh, heigh, heigh, diddle diddle Twixt my heart, Tom and his fiddle My strings are unstrung Heigh, heigh, heigh, heigh I am undone I hear his violin And I get that feeling within And I sigh, oh I sigh He draws near, very near And it's heigh, heigh, heigh, diddle diddle And... goodbye to the fiddle! My strings are unstrung Heigh, heigh, heigh, heigh I'm always undone [MARTHA & ADAMS] Heigh, heigh, heigh, heigh [MARTHA] Heigh When Heaven calls to me Sing me no sad elegy Say I died Loving bride Loving wife Loving life

[@drjlrust]

Heaven called to her very early in life, poor thing.