In my view, this is a neglected musical gem, with a fine adaptation of the Lysistrata story. Jeanne Crain never looked lovelier (some of the closeups on her as George Nader sings to her through a window are ravishing). Bert Lahr basically reprised his lion from Wizard of Oz, especially in his vocal at the end. Mamie van Doren was a delight. It's a pity they cast her as a sexpot in other movies. Otherwise she might have been groomed as a more mainstream star. Jimmy Boyd of "that" children's Christmas song did remarkably well, almost flawlessly delivering his lines like a real pro. The film sagged a little in the unnecessary scene where Bert Lahr teaches Boyd unsuccessfully what sex means. I found that scene pointless.
The fine athletic dances were modeled on Kidd's choreography for a similar but superior film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. But then MGM could do musicals in its sleep. The choreography was also similar to that in Li'l Abner.
Some songs were quite good (especially the opening song), but others were pedestrian (George Nader's song). For some reason Hank Mancini is credited as composer on one site but the credits show he didn't write any of the songs.
If the film has a weakness it's due to the action sequences, which could have been filmed with more drama and imagination (compare the action sequences in Seven Brides).
The fine athletic dances were modeled on Kidd's choreography for a similar but superior film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. But then MGM could do musicals in its sleep. The choreography was also similar to that in Li'l Abner.
Some songs were quite good (especially the opening song), but others were pedestrian (George Nader's song). For some reason Hank Mancini is credited as composer on one site but the credits show he didn't write any of the songs.
If the film has a weakness it's due to the action sequences, which could have been filmed with more drama and imagination (compare the action sequences in Seven Brides).