The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The singing, rhyming citizens of Hamelin hope to win a competition with rival towns for royal recognition. To this end, the mayor outlaws play (which is a bit hard on the children) and refuses to help a rival town when it's flooded. But rats (seen only as shadows), fleeing the flood, invade Hamelin in droves; a magical piper, whose music only children (and rats) can hear, strikes a bargain...which, once the rats are gone, the Mayor and council renege on, to their subsequent regret.

Top Cast

Van Johnson

Pied Piper / Truson

Claude Rains

Mayor of Hamelin

Lori Nelson

Mara

Jim Backus

King's Emissary

Kay Starr

John's Mother