The Pied Piper of Hamelin

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.

Director: Bretaigne Windust

Cast: Van Johnson, Claude Rains, Lori Nelson, Jim Backus, Kay Starr, Joseph Sargent, Doodles Weaver, Stanley Adams

Audience-only score — full critic data not yet in the ReelXO vault.