Watch Evening Primrose

Evening Primrose is a 1966 television musical that tells the story of a poet named Charles (Anthony Perkins) who decides to abandon his previous life and take up residence in a department store, where he discovers a group of people who have also chosen to live within its walls. The musical is based on a short story by John Collier and features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

The story begins with Charles, a struggling poet, feeling disillusioned with the world and wanting to escape from it all. He finds solace in a department store that is about to close for the night, and decides to stay there permanently. He discovers that he is not alone, as there are others who have also taken up residence in the store. Charles soon becomes fascinated with a beautiful girl named Ella (Charmian Carr), who works at the store during the day and becomes his companion at night.

As Charles becomes more integrated into the store community, he discovers that the other people living there are all unhappy with their lives and have chosen to escape from reality by living in the store. They explain that they cannot bear the outside world, as it is filled with disappointments and failures. Charles begins to embrace this lifestyle and soon falls in love with Ella. However, as his feelings for her grow stronger, he realizes that she is not what she seems.

The plot of the movie is driven by Charles' growing realization that the people living in the store are trapped in a fantasy world and that he himself is avoiding the realities of his own life. As he begins to question his own motives for living in the store, Charles becomes more and more isolated from the other characters. Ultimately, he is forced to confront his own demons and make a difficult decision about his future.

One of the key themes of Evening Primrose is the idea of escapism, and how people can become so disillusioned with the world that they choose to retreat into their own fantasies. The musical explores the various ways that people try to escape from reality, from drug use to living in a department store. However, it also suggests that there is a price to be paid for this kind of escapism, as it ultimately prevents people from engaging with the world around them.

Another important theme in the movie is the power of imagination and creativity. Charles is presented as a talented poet who is struggling to find his way in the world. Through his experiences in the store, he begins to rediscover his creative spirit and finds inspiration again. Similarly, the other characters in the store are presented as being creative in their own ways, from the window dresser who creates beautiful displays to the pianist who plays music for the customers.

The music and lyrics in Evening Primrose are an integral part of the storytelling. Stephen Sondheim's songs are both beautiful and haunting, capturing the mood of the story perfectly. The musical numbers are used to explore the emotions, fears and motivations of the characters, and to highlight the themes of the story. The use of music and lyrics in this way enhances the emotional impact of the story and adds to its richness and depth.

In terms of its production values, Evening Primrose is a beautifully crafted movie. The department store setting is richly detailed, creating a magical and otherworldly atmosphere. The cinematography is also striking, and the camera work is used to great effect in conveying the sense of confinement and isolation felt by the characters.

Overall, Evening Primrose is a thought-provoking and imaginative musical that explores complex themes in a creative and engaging way. The performances by the cast, particularly Anthony Perkins and Charmian Carr, are outstanding, and the music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim are both beautiful and haunting. This is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled, and will keep you thinking about the power of the human imagination and our need to connect with the world around us.

Evening Primrose is a 1966 drama with a runtime of 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.