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“1776”

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Retrospective Review: “1776”
That Other Musical about the American Revolution

Before there was the phenomenon of “Hamilton” there was another musical depiction of America’s Founding Fathers called “1776” (1972). Nowhere near the worldwide smash hit of the later play, “1776” nevertheless was popular enough to be adapted into a film with much of the Broadway cast resuming their stage roles. There is even a small reference to “1776” in “Hamilton” which is obvious to anyone who has seen both musicals but will not be spoiled here.

Its charm comes from depicting John Adams (William Daniels) as a sheer force of nature in his epic struggle to wring consensus from the delegates of the Continental Congress on the topic of independence. He has as his chief ally Benjamin Franklin (Howard Da Silva) and the two have great comedic timing. Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) is pressed into service to draft the Declaration of Independence because, as Adams admits, he is “obnoxious and disliked” and anything he presents to the Congress is sure to be dismissed.

“The real strength of the film is the sharp wit of the dialog which in turn is taken from the excellent book of the play by Peter Stone.”

https://intheirownleague.com/2020/07/04/retrospective-review-1776-that-other-musical-about-the-american-revolution/

1776 (1972) 

ORIGINAL TRAILER

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Director: Peter Hunt

Writers: Peter Stone, Sherman Edwards
Stars:  William Daniels, Ken Howard, John Cullum, Blythe Danner, Virginia Vestoff

 

1776 is a 1972 American historical musical drama film directed by Peter H. Hunt and written by Peter Stone, based on his book for the 1969 Broadway musical of the same name, with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards.^[4] Set in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776, it is a fictionalized account of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The film stars William Daniels, Howard da Silva, Donald Madden, John Cullum, Ken Howard and Blythe Danner.

Portions of dialogue and some lyrics were taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants of the Second Continental Congress. 

John Adams, representing Massachusetts in the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, laments the body's refusal to debate his motion to declare the colonies' independence from Great Britain and instead to discuss more trivial matters. Disliked by most of his fellow Congressmen, he frequently seeks advice and comfort from his wife, Abigail. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, one of the few who enjoys Adams' company due mainly to their shared dream of independence, suggests someone else propose the independence resolution. They get Richard Henry Lee of Virginia to agree and he rides home to get authorization from the state legislature to do so. 

Lee returns, proposes the resolution and, over the objections of John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, leader of the Conservative faction seeking reconciliation with Britain, Congress agrees to debate the question, which becomes heated as tempers flare. Caesar Rodney of Delaware, suffering from cancer, collapses and is forced to leave during the debate, depriving Adams of Delaware's vote. A new delegation from New Jersey arrives and votes in favor of independence (Franklin receives word that his son William, the Royal Governor of New Jersey, has been arrested). Seeking to kill the motion, Dickinson successfully moves that an independence vote be unanimous on the grounds that "no colony be torn away from its mother country without its own consent." To salvage the motion, Adams asks for a postponement to draft a declaration of grievances. President of the Congress, John Hancock, breaks the tie vote in favor of a declaration and appoints Adams, Franklin, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Robert Livingston of New York, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia to a committee to write it. Despite his determination to go home to his wife, Martha, Jefferson reluctantly agrees to be the primary writer. After a full week passes without Jefferson's being able to complete the task, Adams summons Martha to Philadelphia; Martha charms both Adams and Franklin, and Jefferson finishes the draft.

To convince Samuel Chase of Maryland to support independence, Adams agrees to accept General George Washington's plea to visit the army encampment in New Brunswick, New Jersey, taking Franklin and Chase with him. After the members return to their lodgings, a young military courier arrives and sadly relates to Congressional custodian Andrew McNair how his two best friends were killed in battle at Lexington.

After Adams and Franklin return from New Jersey, the Declaration is read to the full Congress, which begins accepting many amendments. Jefferson agrees to almost all of the changes, except striking language referring to King George as a "tyrant" and objecting to slavery. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina leads the Southern members in walking out in protest just as Chase returns with Maryland's vote supporting independence. Frustrated at Adams's refusal to compromise, Franklin tells him that to achieve the primary goal of independence Adams must accept that those with opinions contrary to his will be part of their new nation. Badly shaken, Adams again seeks counsel from Abigail, and thanks to a delivery of much-needed saltpeter from her and the delegate from Georgia's sudden decision to support independence, Adams finds the strength and will to continue.

1776  (1972) 

 Molasses To Rum

Sherman Edwards Molasses To Rum performed by John Cullum - It is fairly safe to say that Molasses To Rum is one of the only songs ever written about the triangle trade. 

The powerful song not only delves into the horrors of the slave trade but also addresses the hypocrisy of the Northern colonies by calling attention to their participation in slavery . 

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https://youtu.be/IeuaTpH6Ck0?si=3mpm6CsHZcuMphnf

On the day of the vote (July 2, 1776), Adams and Jefferson agree to drop the slavery provision, and Rutledge and the other Southern states vote for independence. With Delaware divided, Rodney is brought back to support independence by majority vote of its three representatives. Eventually, all states vote for independence except divided Pennsylvania and New York, whose remaining representative, Lewis Morris, has abstained throughout the proceedings. When Dickinson rises to vote against the proposal, Franklin moves that the Pennsylvania delegation be polled: he votes for independence and Dickinson votes against it, leaving the question up to James Wilson. Not wanting to be remembered for casting the decisive vote against American independence, Wilson votes in favor. Dickinson resigns from Congress and vows to join the army to support the fight against the British, even though he believes it to be futile.

As the members prepare to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Morris receives word that his estates have been destroyed and his family moved to safety. Despite not being authorized, Morris signs anyway. As McNair tolls the building's bell, one member per state signs, establishing the United States of America.

Soundtrack

1. Overture – Orchestra
2. "Sit Down, John" – John Adams, Congress
3. "Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve" – John Adams
4. "Till Then" – John and Abigail Adams
5. "The Lees of Old Virginia" – Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams
6. "But, Mr. Adams" – John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston
7. "Yours, Yours, Yours" – John and Abigail Adams
8. "He Plays the Violin" – Martha Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams
9. "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" – John Dickinson, John Hancock, The Conservatives
10. "Momma Look Sharp" – Courier, Andrew McNair, Leather Apron
11. "The Egg" – Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson
12. "Molasses to Rum" – Edward Rutledge
13. "Compliments" – Abigail Adams
14. "Is Anybody There?" – Charles Thomson, John Adams
15. Finale – Orchestra

1776  - The Movie
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The lively and energetic film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and slave holders in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single "nay" vote will forever end the question of independence. 
Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants. © 1972, renewed 2000, © 2002 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

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https://youtu.be/X7x9cv1FsyA?si=2PVeY-7EZb6woXvv

An original motion picture soundtrack album was released in 1972 by Columbia Records on vinyl LP records. It contains all the musical numbers, with the exception of "Cool, Cool Considerate Men" and "Compliments". The soundtrack also contains the edited versions of some of the musical numbers that were presented in full on the laserdisc and DVD releases. Although the Original Broadway Cast recording was released on CD in 1992, the film soundtrack remains unavailable in any digital format as of 2026

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1776_(film)

1776
 (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
1776: Molasses to Rum
Clifford David · Peter Howard
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https://youtu.be/fgdRCtTaE5o?si=_7zN5Djb-D49-W0b

1776 - The Movie
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https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY7e2M-r5_pkCDkZnQ1wyku1neBEZQCit&si=EzC6no7XVFAICoh7

  https://paulcpw.blogspot.com