This movie has stuck out in my memory since I first saw it as a 6 year old back in 1991. The songs, the story line, everything. I saw it on TV and for years couldn't remember enough about it to nail down the name. I'd searched for it various ways on google, IMDb, and other random ways. The music was a huge part that stuck out to me. For years I have still remembered the music. I could sing it but I didn't have a clue what the names of the songs were, and didn't know how to find out.Just tonight I decided to take another swing at it and search again. I typed a few key words in (movie boys choir school racism...) hoping I'd get some where.. and much to my surprise there it was "Perfect Harmony".. i was floored.. All these years later, and who knows how many attempts to find this movie and finally- success. I then was able to find another site which listed the music from the movie and bingo now all these classical songs which have been stuck in my head for years I can actually listen to. It's really incredibly awesome.This movie is a great movie, def worth the watch and, at least for me, worth the buy.

The song goes that I'd love to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. Unfortunately, in the area of racism and segregation, perfect harmony has yet to be achieved.This film takes place in a South Carolina elite private school for boys in 1959, when segregation was the in-thing down south. The school supposedly prepares boys to take their place in the world-a world where they will continue to practice segregation.The best performance in the film is given by Darren McGavin, the headmaster, who epitomizes the old southern tradition of bigotry. His daughter conveys an absolutely phony southern accent and her attempt to emulate Scarlett O'Hara is outlandish at best.You would certainly think that the conflict between the new choirmaster and McGavin would come to the front due to the former's liberal ideas but this really doesn't happen. By the way, who was that brat of a young Klansman who attacks our white hero, Taylor, so viciously? We never find this out.The film also deals with the coming friendship of Taylor and a black child, an orphaned grandson of the handyman, played nicely by the usually reliable Moses Gunn. Miscast in the film is Cleavon Little, as the town preacher. His call for justice is made in a voice that sounds too familiar from "Blazing Saddles" in 1974.It has to be said that the boys exhibit beautiful choir singing.Paul, the promising student, is consumed by hatred. We see his typical rebelliousness due to being insecure, parents who never come to visit and his trend to sneaking a smoke in private areas.The film should be praised for its attempt to wipe out bigotry. Unfortunately, this problem is too big to be conveyed in 1:33 minutes.

Perfect Harmony is one of those perfect films that you occasionally come across by accident.As a former teacher and a lover of Chorale music, especially boys choirs, I watched the film basically because of the choir. I thought that the film would be very much like Disney's 1960's film Almost Angeles, spotlighting the Weinersangerknaben (Vienna Boys Choir), long on music but very short on story line.I was very pleasantly surprised to find a very believable, moralistic story with a deep meaning to me. As a very conservative person, I have a very liberal streak when it comes to social issues. Especially race relations.Justin Whalin was a standout, as were most of the other young actors. I was disappointed with Darin McGavin's performance as I feel that racist tendencies are very deep rooted. Darin just seem to be too shallow in his beliefs.Overall I can honestly say that this was one of the movies that really stand out in my mind, especially as this post is being made in December 2004, several years after seeing the movie.

Honestly I started watching this film with the attitude that the cheese was just going to squeeze out of my VCR, but I would get out some good laughs. But much to my suprise the movie is well written and very believable. Justin Whalin (D&D and Lois and Clark) gives the best performance. The music is really for those who appreciate all forms of music, otherwise...you probably will laugh. All in all this is definately one for the family, with good acting and a heartwarming story.