The singing, rhyming citizens of Hamelin hope to win a competition with rival towns for royal recognition. To this end, the mayor outlaws play (which is a bit hard on the children) and refuses to help a rival town when it's flooded. But rats (seen only as shadows), fleeing the flood, invade Hamelin in droves; a magical piper, whose music only children (and rats) can hear, strikes a bargain...which, once the rats are gone, the Mayor and council renege on, to their subsequent regret.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957) is now streaming with subscription on Prime Video
Van Johnson , Claude Rains , Lori Nelson , Jim Backus , Joseph Sargent , Doodles Weaver
Bretaigne Windust
Hal Stanley Productions