Average Rating:
Rating: - Let people say we're in love.
Out of all the DVD's that i own, this is my all time favorite. Everthing is perfect! The picture quality is awsome, the 5.1 channel stereo sound is better than most theatres. The overture, the intermission, the entra'ce, the exit music,,,,all there from the Roadshow presentation.Of course for some reason my favorite character is Aunt Eller (Charlotte Greenwood) I've always loved her. She's always been one of those great supporting actresses that is so awsome in structor to whatever movie/stage show she was ever in. Great talent and great talent to everyone in this movie version. I believe a remake would be impossible in todays world and the newest Broadway version has comfirmed that. It just lacks soul. Sometimes you should just leave the classics alone. Don't try to improve on them because you can't and in this film you could never muster up a cast like this one. It's a perfect movie musical.
Rating: - Oh, what a beautiful show...
Considering this motion picture is some forty-six years of age, an adapation of a Broadway musical that opened in 1943, almost fifty-seven years ago, this DVD version of the 1955 film, with respect to opinions to the contrary expressed elsewhere, is simply splendid.While declaring the timeless joy of this film, I can't help but feel disappointed that producers couldn't find locations in Oklahoma to shoot the exterior scenes, opting for the empty spaces of Arizona. That aside, what a grand adaptation of what many consider the first modern musical. While Gordon MacRae a very good Curly, Shirley Jones is truly marvelous as Laurie the central character in a story that has been characterized as, "who will take Laurie to the dance." As is so often the case, the filmmakers key casting decisions determine the quality of motion pictures. Eddie Albert is an excellent Peddler, Ali Hakim. Gloria Grahame's performance as Ado Annie Carnes sparkles. Agnes De Mille dances have made this musical one of the best ever. I'm was particularly impressed with "Kansas City," "Out of My Dreams," (dream ballet) and the "The Farmer and the Cowman." The one disappointment, as I reflect on the last few scenes, is why the producers/directors didn't utilize the Oklahoma vistas for the title production number, "Oklahoma!" The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic deserved more elaborate staging/spectacle. This is yet another musical that should become part of the literature/fine arts curriculum. It's study would enrich senior high school social studies, literature and fine arts classes.
Rating: - Total Showbiz Magic
This is a stunning production,but be sure to get hold of the Todd-AO version,with it's glorious theatrical style presentation,and better visual and sound quality.The film was shot twice,once in the standard ratio,and again in the widescreen ratio. The latter is of course the Todd-AO version and the superior of the two,though it is seldom seen,and the standard ratio version is always used on television broadcasts. Laurie's dream ballet is the major highlight in the film,with Bambi Linn as the 'Dream Laurie'. The music is breathtaking,and everything is simply gorgeous. Gloria Grahame makes the perfect Ado-Annie Carnes and she sings a very good 'I Cain't Say No'. Overall,this film is a true treat for Rodgers and Hammerstein fans. Highly recommended.
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