NFR Project: 'Oklahoma!' (1955)

 

NFR Project: “Oklahoma!”

Dir: Fred Zinnemann

Scr: Sonya Levien, William Ludwig

Pho: Robert Surtees

Ed: George Boemler, Gene Ruggiero

Premiere: Oct. 11, 1955

148 min.

The opening of Oklahoma! on Broadway in 1943 marked a new chapter in the history of the American musical. With a few exceptions, musicals in the first half of the 20^th century were scattershot affairs – the songs usually had nothing to do with the story. Now, numbers grew organically out of the plot and out of the characters’ development. You can read my notes on that original production here.

It’s a simple story. Cowboy Curly (Gordon MacCrae) loves Laurey (Shirely Jones in her film debut). However, Laurey is claimed by hired hand Judd (Rod Steiger). This romantic triangle takes up the bulk of the film, although there is a second one involving Ado Annie (Gloria Grahame), peddler Ali Hakim (Eddie Albert), and cowboy Will Parker (Gene Nelson).

When time came for a film version, no expense was spared. Utilizing Technicolor and wide-screen filming, the story takes on an epic quality. This was director Fred Zinnemann’s only musical; he was also challenged by shooting in 70mm. His compositions are awkward, and many times he simply resorts to shooting the singer statically in the center of the screen.

Neither Steiger nor Grahame can sing, which retards the movie’s appeal. The real highlight of the film is Laurey’s dream sequence, in which she vacillates between Curly and Judd. It’s danced out in an elaborate number choreographed by Agnes DeMille. Inserting a ballet into the middle of a musical was unheard of before this; fortunately, the movie preserves this innovation.

The NFR Project is one writer’s attempt to review all the films listed in the National Film Registry in chronological order. Next time: Rebel Without A Cause.