High Tor

Here is a fine musical adaptation of Maxwell Anderson's 1937 fantasy, High Tor, produced for television in 1956. It starred one long-time star, Bing Crosby, and one future star, Julie Andrews. The music was by Arthur Schwartz and lyrics by Anderson himself.

Julie Andrews and Bing Crosby

Crosby plays Van Van Dorn, who owns High Tor (a real mountain along the Hudson). The character is very close to Bing's usual persona, an unassuming, unambitious, but wise and highly principled fellow - a type that was a common hero figure in those times, an idealized American Everyman.

Nancy Olson and Everett Sloane

I am fond of the music, and the background scoring by Joseph J. Lilley (who did a lot of work with Bing and Bob Hope, among other major stars) adds greatly to the mood. Crosby narrates the story in characteristic fashion. Also in the cast are Everett Sloane (who even sings), Nancy Olson and the ubiquitous character actors Hans Conried and Lloyd Corrigan.

Here is an article on the production - thanks to noted musician Dana Countryman for the link.

This record was not reissued for many years, and may never have had an official reissue. It now (June 2023) has been remastered in very good ambient stereo.