New Faces was a musical revue with songs and comedy skits tied together by a quirky plot. It ran on Broadway for nearly a year in 1952 and was then made into a motion picture in 1954. It helped jump start the careers of several young performers including Paul Lynde, Alice Ghostley, Eartha Kitt, Carol Lawrence, performer/writer Mel Brooks (as Melvin Brooks), and lyricist Sheldon Harnick. The film was basically a reproduction of the stage revue with a thin plot added. The plot involved a producer and performer (Ronny Graham) in financial trouble and is trying to stave off an angry creditor long enough to open his show. A wealthy Texan offers to help out, on the condition that his daughter be in the show.
Acting
Eartha Kitt's screen debut—already fully formed and magnificent.
Writing
Mel Brooks' early comedy writing, weird and wonderful.
Production
CinemaScope and stereo sound for a glorified stage recording.
Director
Harry Horner
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Sheldon Harnick, who wrote lyrics here, would later create Fiddler on the Roof. This was his screen debut too.
The film essentially killed the movie musical revue format—audiences wanted actual movies, not filmed stage shows.
US
