The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.

1953
G
1h 29m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

4.6K

YOUR RATING

Hans Conried, Peter Lind Hayes, Mary Healy, and Tommy Rettig in The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (1953)

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Family Fantasy Music Romance

A young boy dreams that he is in an imaginary world where, assisted by his family's plumber, he must save other piano-playing kids like himself from the dungeons of his dictatorial piano tea... Read allA young boy dreams that he is in an imaginary world where, assisted by his family's plumber, he must save other piano-playing kids like himself from the dungeons of his dictatorial piano teacher who also mind-controls his mother.A young boy dreams that he is in an imaginary world where, assisted by his family's plumber, he must save other piano-playing kids like himself from the dungeons of his dictatorial piano teacher who also mind-controls his mother.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

4.6K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total

Uncle Whitney
(as John Heasley)

Robert Heasley

Uncle Judson

Noel Cravat

Sgt. Lunk

George Chakiris

Dancer
(as George Kerris)

Alan Aric

Elevator Operator
(uncredited)

Alvin Beam

Terwilliker's Valet
(uncredited)

Tony Butala

Playback vocalist for Tommy Rettig
(uncredited)

Kim Charney

Kim - Boy in Line
(uncredited)

Ward Ellis

Terwilliker's Valet
(uncredited)

Luigi Faccuito

Dancer in Dungeon Ballet
(uncredited)

Henry Kulky

Stroogo
(uncredited)

Diki Lerner

Dancer in Dungeon Ballet
(uncredited)

Harry Wilson

Guard
(uncredited)
…

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
According to Dr. Seuss, the film's creator and co-writer, one of the 150 boys vomited on the piano while filming. This caused a chain reaction and they were left with 150 vomiting boys. Seuss said later that the film's reviews were similar to this incident.

Goofs
As Bart descends from the top of the ladder, he casts a shadow against the sky.

Quotes
Dr. Terwilliker: Is it atomic?
Bart Collins: Yes sir, VERY atomic!

Connections
Edited into TNT 100% Weird (1992)

Soundtracks
Dream Stuff
Music by Friedrich Hollaender (as Frederick Hollander)
Lyrics by Dr. Seuss
Performed by Peter Lind Hayes Tommy Rettig (dubbed by Tony Butala)

User reviews117

Review

Featured review

It will leave you feeling rather uncomfortable

This movie is one of the most bizarre and random films I have ever seen. It combines a mind-boggling storyline (a kid dreams he's trapped in a castle ruled by his satanic piano teacher who is setting up a piano camp for 500 players), intriguing characters (the heroic, down-to-earth plumber, the helpless, beautiful, damsel/mother in distress, the all-American kid on the block, and the disturbing, foppish, freak of a villain, Dr. Terwilliker) weird costumes and sets, and the most outrageous songs ever conceived. Among my favorites are the "Doe-me-doe" dress up song, "The Dungeon Song," and "We are Victorious!" Any orchestra geek will get a kick out of the dungeon ballet. This is a terrific film to scare your friends or corrupt your children. I highly recommend it to anyone with an unbalanced imagination.

Also recommended: The Brave Little Toaster, Time Bandits, Happily Ever After: a Snow White Tale, The Never Ending Story, Nightmare Before Christmas and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.