Oklahoma! (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Oklahoma!' (a wildly popular musical based on Rodgers & Hammerstein's Broadway play, & directed by Fred Zinnemann) tells an enchanting story & is viewed as a lush spectacle with state-of-the-art (for its time, 1955) Technicolor, Todd-AO vision, & Stereophonic Sound. The story is set in 1890's Oklahoma in the small, rural town of Claremore. And the plot concerns 19 yr. old Laurie (Shirley Jones in her film debut), an Oklahoma farm girl who is courted by fun-loving manly-man cowboy Curley (Gordon MacRae), as well as by obsessive, menacing farm hand Jud Frye (method actor, Rod Steiger).
Fearing that Jud is likely to kill Curley, Laurie begrudgingly accepts Jud's lively invitation to the upcoming box social. But it's Curley who actually rescues Laurie from Jud's unwanted advances; and in doing so ... wins her hand in marriage. However, on the eve of their much-anticipated wedding, Curley & Laurie are confronted by the drunken, enraged Jud. A fire breaks out; a knife fight breaks out; all culminating in tragedy. Following a trial, the plot is allowed to be carried out in relatively happy fashion. Contrasting the more serious elements of this story is a comedic subplot involving innocently licentious Ado Annie (Gloria Grahame), her 'sometimes' sweetheart Will Parker (Gene Nelson) & naughty travelling salesman Ali Hakim (Eddie Albert, playing a Persian).
The soundtrack is glorious, including: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', Surrey with the Fringe on Top, People Will Say We're In Love, I Cain't Say No, Poor Jud is Daid, The Farmer & the Cowman, & of course ... the show stopping title song. The choreography in 'Oklahoma' is full of verve & invention. I loved the staging, lighting, & dancing of the elongated Dream Sequence in which Laurie fears that she may end up with murderous Jud.
Visually, 'Oklahoma!' dazzles. The widescreen color cinematography is just gorgeous (I'm reminded of a low angle camera movement through some corn stalks). It's great to take-in those vast, Midwestern plains. The production design/sets are equally impressive. And the costumes are vibrant. Shirley Jones & Gordon MacRae make for an energetic, attractive, & all-around wonderful onscreen couple. It doesn't hurt that they can really sing, too. Watching & hearing Gordon MacRae launch into Oh, What a Beautiful Morning in his soothing baritone while on horseback in the opening moments of the film is just great.
Gloria Grahame's Ado Annie is quite funny; especially when singing I Cain't Say No. Gene Nelson is fun as Gloria Grahame's dim-witted suitor. And Charlotte Greenwood is an absolute delight as the enthusiastic, joyous, even a tad mischievous Aunt Eller. You know, some people may view 'Oklahoma!' as a corny, sentimental romp that played better in 1955 when it was released. I can see where they're coming from. And it's not like this film is quite as magnificent as, say, Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. But I still enjoyed 'Oklahoma!' a GREAT deal. It has an infectious 'family film' charm.
Fearing that Jud is likely to kill Curley, Laurie begrudgingly accepts Jud's lively invitation to the upcoming box social. But it's Curley who actually rescues Laurie from Jud's unwanted advances; and in doing so ... wins her hand in marriage. However, on the eve of their much-anticipated wedding, Curley & Laurie are confronted by the drunken, enraged Jud. A fire breaks out; a knife fight breaks out; all culminating in tragedy. Following a trial, the plot is allowed to be carried out in relatively happy fashion. Contrasting the more serious elements of this story is a comedic subplot involving innocently licentious Ado Annie (Gloria Grahame), her 'sometimes' sweetheart Will Parker (Gene Nelson) & naughty travelling salesman Ali Hakim (Eddie Albert, playing a Persian).
The soundtrack is glorious, including: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', Surrey with the Fringe on Top, People Will Say We're In Love, I Cain't Say No, Poor Jud is Daid, The Farmer & the Cowman, & of course ... the show stopping title song. The choreography in 'Oklahoma' is full of verve & invention. I loved the staging, lighting, & dancing of the elongated Dream Sequence in which Laurie fears that she may end up with murderous Jud.
Visually, 'Oklahoma!' dazzles. The widescreen color cinematography is just gorgeous (I'm reminded of a low angle camera movement through some corn stalks). It's great to take-in those vast, Midwestern plains. The production design/sets are equally impressive. And the costumes are vibrant. Shirley Jones & Gordon MacRae make for an energetic, attractive, & all-around wonderful onscreen couple. It doesn't hurt that they can really sing, too. Watching & hearing Gordon MacRae launch into Oh, What a Beautiful Morning in his soothing baritone while on horseback in the opening moments of the film is just great.
Gloria Grahame's Ado Annie is quite funny; especially when singing I Cain't Say No. Gene Nelson is fun as Gloria Grahame's dim-witted suitor. And Charlotte Greenwood is an absolute delight as the enthusiastic, joyous, even a tad mischievous Aunt Eller. You know, some people may view 'Oklahoma!' as a corny, sentimental romp that played better in 1955 when it was released. I can see where they're coming from. And it's not like this film is quite as magnificent as, say, Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. But I still enjoyed 'Oklahoma!' a GREAT deal. It has an infectious 'family film' charm.