Oklahoma! -1955

Director Fred Zinneman

Starring Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger

Scott’s Review #51

Reviewed June 20, 2014

Grade: A-

Oklahoma is one of a slew of memorable Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals to emerge from the 1950s and 1960s Hollywood and to be based on a popular stage version.

The film has an old-west, homespun, comfortable appeal to it. and is best watched during the summer months.

While seeming a bit too hokey and not my favorite musical as compared to other more sophisticated stalwarts such as My Fair Lady, An American in Paris, or The Sound of Music, Oklahoma does emit a flavor and tasteful appeal of the West.

The plot focuses on a love triangle between a good old boy, Curly, a good girl, Laurey Williams, and brooding Jud, though the real rooting couple is Curly and Laurey.

The trio is supported by a large array of townspeople both gossiping about and helping  Curly and Laurey admit their true feelings and come together as a couple. Of course, Jud is the villain and conflicts come into play throughout the production.

There is also a lesser couple, Will Parker and Ado Annie, who find their way into each other’s arms amid the traditional small-town events such as a lively, summer fair.

Stars Gordon MacRae (Curly) and Shirley Jones (Laurey) are both very handsome and likable in the lead roles making for a nice pairing.

Gloria Grahame is very appealing and comical as Ado Annie, especially in her rousing turn bellowing out “I Can’t Say No”, and Charlotte Greenwood is the moral voice of reason as Aunt Eller.

What works best in the film are the settings of Oklahoma, as the viewer experiences such a feel for life in the heartland long ago (though the exteriors were shot in Arizona).

It’s pure fantasy enjoyment and there is a magical Wizard of Oz feel to it- though no cyclone nor munchkins are anywhere in sight. The film version closely follows the original stage version.

The musical numbers are quite catchy (“Oh What a Beautiful Morning”, “I Can’t Say No”, and “Oklahoma” are my favorites). The controversial mid-number “Dream Ballet” is quite provocative artistically enjoyable and jarringly different from the rest of the traditional tale.

This jaw-dropping number most certainly is on par with a similar spectacle in An American in Paris.

Perhaps Oklahoma is not quite on par with other musicals of its day, but pretty close.

Oscar Nominations: 2 wins-Best Scoring of a Musical Picture (won), Best Sound Recording (won), Best Cinematography, Color, Best Film Editing