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...which, once the rats are gone, the Mayor and council renege on, to their subsequent regret.
Directed by Bretaigne Windust
musical
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.2 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Van Johnson
Pied Piper / Truson
Claude Rains
Mayor of Hamelin
Lori Nelson
Mara
Jim Backus
King's Emissary
Kay Starr
John's Mother
Joseph Sargent
Doodles Weaver
First Counselor (uncredited)
Stanley Adams
Second Counselor (uncredited)
Oliver Blake
Leading Citizen (uncredited)
William H. O'Brien
Townsman (uncredited)
Carl Benton Reid
Mayor of Hamelout (uncredited)
Amzie Strickland
Leading Townswoman (uncredited)
Crew
Edvard Grieg
Music
Popular Reviews
4 reviews
Olivia
6.0★ · 04/13/26
The rats were top-tier actors
The rats were top-tier actors
Pat Reilly
4.5★ · 09/17/21
Claude Rains probably hated that he did this. He was 1000% a nightmare on set. It’s a lot of fun.
Claude Rains probably hated that he did this. He was 1000% a nightmare on set. It’s a lot of fun.
