Defibrillator: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Before John Travolta hammed it up in drag, the MGM movie/musical reigned supreme. Sure, Singin’ in the Rain may get all the credit in the history books, but dig deeper and you’ll discover a cinematic gem: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, the story of the feisty tavern cook Milly and her search for love and family in 1850s Oregon.

Unfortunately for Milly, when she marries backwoodsman Adam Pontipee, she’s forced to take care of his six brothers, who are blessed with the charm and manners of drunken Penn students at Fling. Milly, of course, manages to polish these diamonds in the rough along to a rollicking soundtrack and jaw-dropping choreography from the legendary Michael Kidd.

Seven Brides is a reminder of an age when gimmicks and special effects were unnecessary. Instead, actors had real vocal chops (no studio touch-ups necessary), and dancers busted moves that contestants on So You Think You Can Dance? would never be able to replicate. “Bless your beautiful hide” Seven Brides: you’re the movie for me.

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