The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Pied Piper (Van Johnson) is performing magic in the town of Hamelin, and playing his signature tune In The Hall of the Mountain King, when Paul, a disabled boy, notices him. Hamelin is competing to win a banner from the King. The Mayor (Claude Rains) forces all townspeople, including the children, to work incessantly. The Mayor begins construction on some chimes to impress the King, but all work comes to an abrupt halt when rats invade the town. The Piper says he can rid the town of the rats for a fee of fifty-thousand guilders. The Piper leads the rats to their doom in the river, but the Mayor reneges on his payment. The Piper is furious and leaves town without his money, and takes his revenge by leading the children of Hamelin away into a beautiful kingdom concealed by a cave, which magically opens to let the children in. But Paul is accidentally left behind after he falls, and the cave closes before he can pass through. What will happen to Paul? Will the children ever be returned to Hamelin? Watch this family classic and see how the ending unfolds. It is a story of forgiveness, hope and love! (87 minutes - 1958 - Color - 4:3)