The Hallelujah Trail on DVD, Comedy, Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick

The Hallelujah Trail, Unfortunately, the pleasure of enjoying this life-affirming romp through fantasy is greatly diminished without the large screen for which it was designed. The cast is spectacular and so is the music. The dialog is nonstop humor but the narration by John Dehner is even better. I can’t think of anyone who could have delivered the lines with such self-parodying pomposity. The interaction between the characters played by Lancaster and Remick leaves one wondering why the two actors weren’t teamed regularly. Male and Female have seldom been more accurately and understandingly portrayed. The treatment of the Indians will likely offend many today. Mel Brooks may be one of the few (perhaps the only) movie-makers since the 60’s who would have taken such a risk. At the time, tolerance was “in” and conditioned hyper-sensitivity and the thought police weren’t taken seriously. We get to see Jim Hutton in one of the few roles he could handle well. We are also given a chance to appreciate Pamela Tiffin as more than just the background for a bikini. I’m sure her decision not to pursue a film career more aggressively was a wise one for her but it was nevertheless our loss.