Watch The Town Went Wild

The Town Went Wild is a 1944 comedy film directed by Ralph Murphy and starring Freddie Bartholomew, Jimmy Lydon, and Edward Everett Horton. The film tells the story of the small town of Millfield that suddenly goes agog after an infectious dance craze takes hold of the community, causing unexpected chaos and mayhem. The movie's opening scene introduces us to the peaceful town of Millfield, where everyone knows each other, and life is simple and uneventful. The townsfolk spend most of their time farming, and the children attend the only school in the area. One day, while playing hooky from school, two boys, Mickey (Bartholomew) and Pat (Lydon) discover an old Indian tom-tom in the woods. They take it home and, unbeknownst to them, unwittingly unleash a magical dance rhythm.

Soon after, the town's mayor, Everett Thorndyke (Horton), decides to hold a dance at the community center to raise funds for the school. However, when the dance music starts, everyone is suddenly compelled to dance uncontrollably. Even those who can't dance or have never danced before are swept up in the infectious rhythm, unable to stop themselves.

The dance craze quickly spreads throughout the town, causing chaos and destruction in its wake. People dance in the streets, in their homes, in the fields, and even on the rooftops. The town's doctor, who has never danced before in his life, is suddenly transformed into an energetic and nimble dancer, much to his own surprise.

The town's problems only worsen when a rival town's mayor, who is jealous of Millfield's success, hires a group of dancers to sabotage the upcoming dance competition. Mickey and Pat are hired to teach the townsfolk how to dance, but they soon realize that they need to do something to stop the destruction caused by the dance craze.

The Town Went Wild offers plenty of laughs and hijinks, thanks to the energetic performances by the film's cast. Bartholomew and Lydon are charming as the mischievous boys who started the dance craze, while Horton is hilarious as the bumbling, hapless mayor. The supporting cast, including Gloria Jean, Anne Gillis, and Robert Benchley, also turn in memorable performances.

The movie's plot centers around the simple idea of a community being overcome by a dance craze, but it manages to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. The film's commentary on the power of suggestion and group dynamics is both humorous and insightful, making it a unique addition to the comedy genre.

Overall, The Town Went Wild is a fun comedy that will keep viewers laughing from beginning to end. With its infectious dance rhythms and lively performances, it's an enjoyable and engaging film that's perfect for a family movie night.

The Town Went Wild is a 1999 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 6 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.