Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1943 Broadway musical was considered revolutionary for a multitude of reasons, not least of which were the play's intricate integration of song and storyline, and the simplicity and austerity of its production design. The 1955 film version of Oklahoma! retains the songs (except for Lonely Room and It's a Scandal!, which are usually cut from most stage presentations anyway) and the story, but the simplicity is sacrificed to the spectacle of Technicolor, Todd-AO, and Stereophonic Sound. The story can ...
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Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1943 Broadway musical was considered revolutionary for a multitude of reasons, not least of which were the play's intricate integration of song and storyline, and the simplicity and austerity of its production design. The 1955 film version of Oklahoma! retains the songs (except for Lonely Room and It's a Scandal!, which are usually cut from most stage presentations anyway) and the story, but the simplicity is sacrificed to the spectacle of Technicolor, Todd-AO, and Stereophonic Sound. The story can be boiled down to a single sentence: a girl must decide between the two suitors who want to take her to a social. In her movie debut, 19-year-old Shirley Jones plays Laurie, an Oklahoma farm gal who is courted by boisterous cowboy Curley (Gordon MacRae) and by menacing, obsessive farm hand Jud Frye (Rod Steiger). Fearing that Jud will do something terrible to Curley, Laurie accepts Jud's invitation to the box social. But it's Curley who rescues Laurie from Jud's unwanted advances, and in so doing wins her hand. On the eve of their wedding, Laurie and Curley are menaced by the drunken Jud. During a fight with Curley, Jud falls on his own knife and is killed (this sudden-death motif was curiously commonplace in the Rodgers and Hammerstein ouevre ). The local deputy insists that Curley be arrested and stand trial, but he is outvoted by Curley's friends, and the newlyweds are permitted to ride off on their honeymoon. Counterpointing the serious elements of the story is a comic subplot involving innocently promiscuous Ado Annie (Gloria Grahame), her erstwhile sweetheart Will Parker (Gene Nelson) and lascivious travelling salesman Ali Hakim (Eddie Albert). None of the Broadway cast of Oklahoma! was engaged for the film version, though Charlotte Greenwood is finally able to essay the role of Auntie Eller that had been written for her but she'd been unable to play back in 1943. The evergreen songs include Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', Surrey with the Fringe on Top, People Will Say We're In Love, I Cain't Say No, and the rousing title song. Two versions of Oklahoma! currently exist: the Todd-AO version, filmed on 65-millimeter stock, and the simultaneously shot CinemaScope version, shipped out to the theaters not equipped for the wider-screen Todd-AO process. Both versions have been issued in "letterbox" form on laser disc, and the subtle differences in performance style and camera angles in each and every scene are quite fascinating. Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Add this copy of Oklahoma [Blu-Ray + Dvd + Dhd] to cart. $15.98, good condition, Sold by Goodwill Southern California rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Los Angeles, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by ByExperience, 20th Century Fox.
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The DVD may show some wear from normal use. Case and artwork may show signs of wear but not cracked. Disks will be refinished if needed to imporve condition. Thank you for shopping Goodwill Southern California. Your purchase helps create jobs and transforms lives through the power of work.
Add this copy of Oklahoma [Blu-Ray + Dvd + Dhd] to cart. $15.99, good condition, Sold by Goodwill Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hillsboro, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by ByExperience, 20th Century Fox.
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Good. May have very light or no surface scratches. Case and cover artwork are included but may show minimal signs of wear. If applicable: Digital copy or ultraviolet codes may be expired or not included. Slipcover may not be included.
Add this copy of Oklahoma [Blu-Ray + Dvd] (New) to cart. $22.95, new condition, Sold by 86 Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Maplewood, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by 20th Century Studios.
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New. Size: 0x7x5; brand new in original shrinkwrap; because we care that your order arrives in the condition stated, we have additionally sealed the case in bubblewrap for added protection during shipment.
Add this copy of Oklahoma [Blu-Ray + Dvd + Dhd] to cart. $666.67, new condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2014 by ByExperience, 20th Century Fox.
Who doesn't love a classic?!?! I do!!! If you love musicals, Shirley Jones, Gordon MasRae, and the cast, this movie is for you. Shirley's character, and her community know that Shirley and Gordon love each other, but she doesn't want Gordon's character to think she is an easy catch, but she picked the wrong guy in Rod Steiger's character to go to the dance with. But you'll have to watch this movie to see if she lives "happily ever after."
Wiener
Jun 16, 2011
Eat my dust
Hey, thanks for a great film, guys. My wife and daughter loved it. WB