Hammerstein and Kern's "Show Boat" may have been the first musical of the American theatre, but "Oklahoma!" can take the credit for being the first 'modern' musical. Far from the revues, burlesque and Ziegfeld Follies style of musical extravaganza entertainment, the teaming of Rodgers and Hammerstein gave birth to eras of change and perfection to one of the most popular art forms of the 1940s.
Despite the enormous popularity of "Oklahoma!", the musical took twelve years to make it to the big screen. FOX, the eventual producers and distributors of the film had already handled the 'little Oklahoma!' "State Fair" and MGM, Hollywood's musical champion used Judy Garland in 1946 to duplicate the simple Western style musical and created a naive, strong minded character to rival Laurey.
The popularity of the musical was enhanced richly by the still brilliant musical score, featuring such Rodgers and Hammerstein greats including "Oh, what a beautiful mornin", "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top", "People will say we're in love", "Out of My Dreams" and the title song, all of which are beautifully sung by a charming and entertaining cast headed by the competence of Gordan MacRae, Shirley Jones, Gloria Grahame, Charlotte Greenwood, Rod Steiger and James Whitmore.
Most of the Agnes DeMille dances are in good shape, but the film is abruptly bogged down by the entire essence of the serious toned "Out of My Dreams" ballet in a foriegn musical comedy setting, which looks out of place in all sets, costumes and technical elements in a slim plotted story.
For all its triumph in 1955, "Oklahoma!" seems to be a case story of what the film became and a lot more of what it could have been. Fred Zinnemann cannot bring the same types of emotion to the characters in "High Noon" or "From Here to Eternity" manner, which is mainly due to the fact "Oklahoma!" was the only musical the veteran ever directed. Despite this, the film is still definitely enjoyable, fun entertainment, even if the colour process and cinemascope make it look terrible.
It cannot be in truth be described as the best filmed version of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, because after all is said and done, it is only really about who gets to take Laurey to the dance. But for the legendary charisma and sheer genius brilliance it radiated and shaped for the future of Broadway, we should all be forever grateful.
Rating: 8/10
Despite the enormous popularity of "Oklahoma!", the musical took twelve years to make it to the big screen. FOX, the eventual producers and distributors of the film had already handled the 'little Oklahoma!' "State Fair" and MGM, Hollywood's musical champion used Judy Garland in 1946 to duplicate the simple Western style musical and created a naive, strong minded character to rival Laurey.
The popularity of the musical was enhanced richly by the still brilliant musical score, featuring such Rodgers and Hammerstein greats including "Oh, what a beautiful mornin", "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top", "People will say we're in love", "Out of My Dreams" and the title song, all of which are beautifully sung by a charming and entertaining cast headed by the competence of Gordan MacRae, Shirley Jones, Gloria Grahame, Charlotte Greenwood, Rod Steiger and James Whitmore.
Most of the Agnes DeMille dances are in good shape, but the film is abruptly bogged down by the entire essence of the serious toned "Out of My Dreams" ballet in a foriegn musical comedy setting, which looks out of place in all sets, costumes and technical elements in a slim plotted story.
For all its triumph in 1955, "Oklahoma!" seems to be a case story of what the film became and a lot more of what it could have been. Fred Zinnemann cannot bring the same types of emotion to the characters in "High Noon" or "From Here to Eternity" manner, which is mainly due to the fact "Oklahoma!" was the only musical the veteran ever directed. Despite this, the film is still definitely enjoyable, fun entertainment, even if the colour process and cinemascope make it look terrible.
It cannot be in truth be described as the best filmed version of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, because after all is said and done, it is only really about who gets to take Laurey to the dance. But for the legendary charisma and sheer genius brilliance it radiated and shaped for the future of Broadway, we should all be forever grateful.
Rating: 8/10