This Hillbilly classic is full of hokum and silly fun. The principals, most directly from the Broadway production make it all work beautifully. Peter Palmer is ideal as the all American Lil Abner. Leslie Parsih is ravishing as Daisy Mae. But it is Billie Hayes as Mammy Yokum and Stubby Kaye as Marrying Sam that really steal the show. The music is catchy, although not the best musical score there is, and Al Capp's legacy is well preserved in the ambitious song and dance numbers, especially the Sadie Hawkins Day race sequence. From the comics and this film words like Kickapoo Joy Juice (another word for moonshine) and the fabulous Yokumberry tonic become a part of the legends of America along with John Henry, Paul Bunyon, Pecos Bill and Mike Fink.
Review of Li'l Abner
