Has anyone seen the stage musical or movie version of “1776”? I think it’s a wonderful movie, and my understanding is that is a pretty accurate telling of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. (Well, aside from the delegates bursting out into song that is…)
My question concerns the pivitol scene of the play/movie, when the deciding vote as to whether or not the colonies will declare their independence comes down to the Pennsylvania delegation.
There are three members of the delegation, and Ben Franklin asks that the individual votes be noted. Ben votes for, another guy votes against, and so it comes down to this meek and mild delegate who likes his anonyminity. (Indeed, Ben counted on this.)
The reasoning the final delegate gave in voting for independence, is that he would be one of many, but if he voted against, his name would go down in history as the man who stopped the creation of a new country. The guy doesn’t want to have his name be notorious as the man who killed independence, so he votes for, and as a result, no one knows his name.
Now, this is all very good for the drama of the piece, and in the midst of watching it, I marvelled at Franklin’s strategy, but upon thinking about it, I couldn’t help but think the reasoning was flawed.
Had this one guy voted against, I don’t think his name would have been any more known than it is today. The outcome would have been different, we wouldn’t have a new country, and this guy would have voted for the majority opinion.
“1776” is a terrific musical, but very poor history. For one thing, the Declaration was formally adopted by the Continental Congress, but wasn’t signed until August 2, and then not all the delegates signed.
The James Wilson subplot was invented by the play’s authors. Far from craving anonymity, Judge Wilson was an ardent patriot who published a pamphlet, “Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament”, in which he rejected any authority of the British Parliament over the colonies. He signed the Declaration of Independence and was a central figure at the Constitutional Convention (1787) where he argued strongly for popular election of both houses of Congress and the President. In 1789 he became one of the first six justices of the Supreme Court.
For staging reasons, the playwrights had to limit the number of characters in the play. In reality, there were nine Pennsylvania delegates to the Continental Congress: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, George Clymer,
James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, and George Ross.
A off-topic note:
If you’re interested in a wonderful, historically accurate novel on the American Revolution from the Loyalist point of view, find a copy of “Oliver Wiswell,” by the woefully neglected Kenneth Roberts, a popular author of books about early America who was popular in the 30s and 40s, but who has been utterly forgotten today.
If you want a good book about the signing of the Declaration, read “Decision at Philadelphia.”
I loved “1776”. I’ve seen the play on Broadway in its original run, seen (and own) the movie. I acted in it as an undergraduate (I was Charles Thompson, the secretary – and I memorized my lines, including all the dispatches, before anyone else).
Point #1 – “1776” is NOT bad history. If you read author Peter Stone’s notes you’ll find that he did a hell of a lot of historical research, often perusing the original documents. He DID have to make some accommodations in order to put the thing on stage, so it’s not ACCURATE history. He certainly cut down on the number of delegates (when we put it on we argued about why certain characters were left in and others left out. We decided that New York had the number of delegates it did so that they had an even number for the “Cool, Cool Men” Minuet). The polling of the Pennsylvania delegation may have been masde up – but I seem to recall Stone’s notes saying there was some truth to it.
#2 – Author Peter Stone is responsible for the screenplays of “Charade” (one of my all-time favorite mysteries), “Mirage” (ditto – and it’s harder to get) and “Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe”. He also wrote the “book” of the stage musical “Titanic”
#3 – “1776” took a lot of flak when it first came out because people said it was just cashing in on the popularity of sex on stage (there were a few racy lines). By 1976 people were complaining that it was the only period musical people knew. Now they complain it’s historically inaccurate. Geez. NO play or movie is ever completely accurate. “1776” introduced me (and a lot of other Americans) to the story of the fight for independence within the walls of Independence Hall, and portrayed the Founders as real human beings. THAT is, I think, a major accomplishment. The History Channel series “Founding Fathers” and David McCulloch’s new book on John Adams are just getting around to this NOW. Stone and songwriter Sherman Edwards were ahead of their time.
#4 – Whatever else you may say, at least the songs from “1776” didn’t end up as MUZAK, played by 101 Strings.
Also one of my favorites. The verbal wordplay is Sondheim-esque in places. But, sadly, it certainly isn’t 100% historically accurate (take it from someone from Philadelphia). Kinda like when I found out what parts were and weren’t true in the movie “Amadeus” - sad, but predictable, and, in the end, didn’t really detract from a great piece of work.
Even if it isn’t totally accurate it a wonderful play and movie. It sparked my interest in United States history more then any history class I ever took.
If memory serves – and it frequently doesn’t these last few years – Peter Stone’s notes in the published version of the play says that Judge Wilson did indeed change his vote at the last moment, but no reason was ever recorded. So the action is correct, and the reason is merely conjecture.
Slightly off topic, but does anyone know if the there is any truth to the rumor that the song “Cool, Cool, Deliberate Men” (or whatever it’s called) was cut from the film at the request of then-President Richard Nixon? The song had some nasty things to say about conservatives – which, in this case, refer to those who opposed independence.
In the play Wilson is portrayed as a man who fears fame, which certainly wasn’t the case with him. He was a very visible political figure for most of his life. He was quite instrumental in the framing of the Constitution.
However, he was a moderate on independence and he learned his law from John Dickinson, who is portrayed as the dominant figure in the Pennsylvania delegation.
“Cool, Cool Considerate Men” does appear in the DVD of the film. I think it might have been cut out of the film because the movie was running long. Most versions are 142 minutes according the Internet Movie Database.
Blythe Danner was about the same age as Gwyneth Paltrow is now when the movie came out. Other people in the film who went on to bigger things were William Daniels, Ken Howard, and John Cullum (who actually toward the tail end of his Broadway leading man career and well before his “Northern Exposure” career.)
William Duell played the custodian and that guy has been in a lot of things and has always looked old. His best role was on “Police Squad” as the shoeshiner who knew information about everything.
BobT - DVD of the film? Where did you get a DVD of the film? I can’t even find any evidence that one exists. I can find it on laserdisc and VHS but not DVD.
DVD? Where? According to IMDB, it’s only avaibale for purchase on VHS, although there is a discontinued 176 minute laserdisc edition containing, “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men.”
Inspired by this thread, I fired up my copy of “1776” last night. What a great movie!
While I still see many historical inaccuracies in the film, I will say the Edward Rutledge’s song, “Molasses To Rum,”
is an excellent precis of the Triangle Trade. William Daniels is a sensational John Adams, but his singing voice leaves something to be desired; he seems to perform every song recitativo. Howard Da Silva IS Ben Franklin. “Momma, Look Sharp” still sends a chill down my spine. All in all, a wonderful film.