The Seven Little Foys
Encyclopedia
The Seven Little Foys is a 1955 film
starring Bob Hope
as Eddie Foy
. James Cagney
reprises his role as George M. Cohan
for an energetic tabletop dance showdown sequence. In addition to the famous film, the story of Eddie Foy, Sr. and the Seven Little Foys also inspired a TV version in 1964 and a stage musical version, which premiered in 2007.
threatened to stall Eddie's career, he comes to realize that his little terrors are worth their weight in gold.
The second eldest Foy, Charley, narrates periodically throughout the film.
Other versions of The Seven Little Foys:
In 1964, Bob Hope (who had played Eddie Foy Sr. in the 1955 film The Seven Little Foy), hosted an hour-long TV version of The Seven Little Foys, which aired January 24, 1964 as part of the NBC TV series Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre. Eddie Foy Jr. starred as Eddie Foy Sr. Mickey Rooney
played George M. Cohan. The Osmond brothers portrayed various Foy children in this TV program, which was also the pilot for a proposed series; Donny Osmond played Irving Foy; Jay Osmond played Eddie Foy Jr.; Alan Osmond played Bryan Foy; Merrill Osmond played Richard Foy; Wayne Osmond played Charley Foy; Christy Jordan played Mary Foy; Naomi Stevens played Aunt Clara; George Tobias played Barney Green.
In 2007, the first stage musical version of The Seven Little Foys, written by Chip Deffaa
(featuring songs made famous by the Foys, as well as originals by Deffaa), had its world premiere at Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury, Connecticut. Kirby Ward starred as Eddie Foy Sr., Raissa Katona Bennett played Mrs. Foy, Colin Pritchard played George M. Cohan, Clark Kinkade played Bryan Foy, Jillian Wipfler played Mary Foy, Jack Saleeby played Charlie Foy, Devon Eddy played Richard Foy, Alyssa Campochiara played Madeline Foy, Peter Charney played Eddie Foy Jr., Christopher Campochiara played Irving Foy. In 2008, the musical had its New York premiere as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. Michael Townsend Wright starred as Eddie Foy Sr., Beth Bartley played Mrs. Foy, Ryan Foy (a real-life great-grandson of Eddie Foy Sr. and a grandson of Irving Foy) played George M. Cohan, Eddy Francisco played Bryan Foy, Dea Julien played Mary Foy, Eric Stevens played Charlie Foy, Mitchell Schneider played Richard Foy, Rayna Hirt played Madeline Foy, Brandon Reid played Eddie Foy Jr., Alexander Craven played Irving Foy. Deffaa directed, Justin Boccitto (with assistance from Cristina Marie) choreographed, Richard Danley served as musical director. Eric Johnson served as assistant director. The musical play The Seven Little Foys by Chip Deffaa may be licensed through the Fifi Oscard Agency Inc., New York City.
1955 in film
The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released....
starring Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
as Eddie Foy
Eddie Foy
Eddie Foy, Sr. , was an actor, comedian, dancer and vaudevillian.-Early years:...
. James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
reprises his role as George M. Cohan
George M. Cohan
George Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
for an energetic tabletop dance showdown sequence. In addition to the famous film, the story of Eddie Foy, Sr. and the Seven Little Foys also inspired a TV version in 1964 and a stage musical version, which premiered in 2007.
Plot
Vaudeville entertainer Eddie Foy, who has vowed to forever keep his act a solo, falls in love with and marries Italian ballerina Madeleine. While they continue to tour the circuit, they begin a family and before long have seven little Foys to clutter the wings. After the tragedy of the Iroquois Theater FireIroquois Theater Fire
The Iroquois Theatre fire occurred on December 30, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois. It is the deadliest theater fire and the deadliest single-building fire in United States history...
threatened to stall Eddie's career, he comes to realize that his little terrors are worth their weight in gold.
The second eldest Foy, Charley, narrates periodically throughout the film.
Cast
- Bob HopeBob HopeBob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
as Eddie FoyEddie FoyEddie Foy, Sr. , was an actor, comedian, dancer and vaudevillian.-Early years:... - Milly VitaleMilly VitaleCamilla "Milly" Vitale , daughter of conductor Riccardo Vitale and choreographer Natasha Shidlowski, was an Italian actress....
as Madeleine Morando Foy - George TobiasGeorge TobiasGeorge Tobias was an American character actor.-Early life and career:Born to a Jewish family in New York, he began his acting career at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California. He then spent several years in theater groups before moving on to Broadway and, eventually, Hollywood...
as Barney Green - Angela ClarkeAngela ClarkeAngela Clarke is an English actress best known for playing Colette Daly in the television drama series Soldier Soldier...
as Clara Morando - Herbert HeyesHerbert HeyesHerbert Heyes was an American film actor. He appeared in nearly 100 films between 1915 and 1956.He was born in Vader, Washington and died in North Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:...
as Judge - Richard Shannon as Stage Manager
- Billy GrayBilly Gray (actor)William Thomas "Billy" Gray , is a former American actor known primarily for his role as James "Bud" Anderson, Jr., in 193 episodes of the NBC and CBS situation comedy, Father Knows Best, which aired between 1954 and 1960. Gray's fellow cast members were Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue,...
as Bryan Lincoln Foy - Lee Erickson as Charley Foy
- Paul De Rolf as Richard Foy
- Lydia ReedLydia ReedLydia Reed is an American former child actress best known for her role as Tallahassee "Hassie" McCoy from 1957 to 1963 in 145 episodes of the ABC situation comedy The Real McCoys, starring Walter Brennan in the title role of Grandpa Amos McCoy...
as Mary Foy - Linda Bennett as Madeleine Foy
- Jimmy Baird as Eddie Foy Jr.
- Tommy Duran as Irving Foy
- James CagneyJames CagneyJames Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
as George M. CohanGeorge M. CohanGeorge Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
Other versions of The Seven Little Foys:
In 1964, Bob Hope (who had played Eddie Foy Sr. in the 1955 film The Seven Little Foy), hosted an hour-long TV version of The Seven Little Foys, which aired January 24, 1964 as part of the NBC TV series Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre. Eddie Foy Jr. starred as Eddie Foy Sr. Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
played George M. Cohan. The Osmond brothers portrayed various Foy children in this TV program, which was also the pilot for a proposed series; Donny Osmond played Irving Foy; Jay Osmond played Eddie Foy Jr.; Alan Osmond played Bryan Foy; Merrill Osmond played Richard Foy; Wayne Osmond played Charley Foy; Christy Jordan played Mary Foy; Naomi Stevens played Aunt Clara; George Tobias played Barney Green.
In 2007, the first stage musical version of The Seven Little Foys, written by Chip Deffaa
Chip Deffaa
Chip Deffaa is an author, jazz historian, playwright, songwriter and director. For 18 years, he wrote for the New York Post, covering jazz, cabaret, and theater...
(featuring songs made famous by the Foys, as well as originals by Deffaa), had its world premiere at Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury, Connecticut. Kirby Ward starred as Eddie Foy Sr., Raissa Katona Bennett played Mrs. Foy, Colin Pritchard played George M. Cohan, Clark Kinkade played Bryan Foy, Jillian Wipfler played Mary Foy, Jack Saleeby played Charlie Foy, Devon Eddy played Richard Foy, Alyssa Campochiara played Madeline Foy, Peter Charney played Eddie Foy Jr., Christopher Campochiara played Irving Foy. In 2008, the musical had its New York premiere as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. Michael Townsend Wright starred as Eddie Foy Sr., Beth Bartley played Mrs. Foy, Ryan Foy (a real-life great-grandson of Eddie Foy Sr. and a grandson of Irving Foy) played George M. Cohan, Eddy Francisco played Bryan Foy, Dea Julien played Mary Foy, Eric Stevens played Charlie Foy, Mitchell Schneider played Richard Foy, Rayna Hirt played Madeline Foy, Brandon Reid played Eddie Foy Jr., Alexander Craven played Irving Foy. Deffaa directed, Justin Boccitto (with assistance from Cristina Marie) choreographed, Richard Danley served as musical director. Eric Johnson served as assistant director. The musical play The Seven Little Foys by Chip Deffaa may be licensed through the Fifi Oscard Agency Inc., New York City.