Carousel [50th Anniversary Edition] [2 Discs]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Carousel was adapted from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical of the same name--which, in turn, was based on Liliom, a play by Ferenc Molnar. Gordon MacRae stars as carnival barker Billy Bigelow, who much against his will falls in love with Maine factory girl Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones). Billy proves an improvident and unreliable husband, but Julie stands by him. Upon discovering that Julie is pregnant, the unemployed Billy sees an opportunity for some quick money by joining his unsavory pal Jigger (Cameron Mitchell). The scheme goes awry, and Billy dies. Standing before the Pearly Gates, Billy is given a chance to redeem himself by the kindly Starkeeper (Gene Lockhart). He is allowed to return to Earth to try to brighten the life of his unhappy 15-year-old daughter Louise (Susan Luckey). Billy offers Louise a star that he has stolen from the sky; when Louise backs off in fear, Billy slaps her. He feels like a failure until he and his Heavenly Friend (William LeManessa) attend Louise's school graduation ceremony. There the invisible Billy watches as the principal (Gene Lockhart again) inspires Louise (and, by extension, Julie) by assuring her that so long as she has hope in her heart, she'll never walk alone. Frank Sinatra, the film's original Billy Bigelow, dropped out of the production due to laryngitis. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 2
• Subtitle: Eng/Spa
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Aspect Ratio: 2.55:1
• Features:
  • Disc One:
  • Audio commentary by star Shirley Jones
  • and documentary filmmaker Nick Redman
  • Exclusive isolated musical score
  • Songs-only option
  • Singalong karaoke subtitles (English)
  • Disc Two:
  • Bonus film: 1934 classic Liliom
  • "Turn on the Carousel" featurette
  • Vintage stage excerpt: The "If I Loved You" extended sequence with original broadway stars Jan Clayton and John Raitt
  • Stills and audio original from deleted numbers:
  • "You're a Queer One, Julie Jordan: performed by Barbara Ruick and Shirley Jones
  • "Blow High, Blow Low" performed by Cameron Mitchell and chorus
  • Fox Movietone news: Carousel opens at New York and Hollywood in CinemaScope(r) 55
  • Behind-the-scenes still photo gallery
  • Original theatrical trailer and more!

AWARDS

• Directors Guild of America

•     Nominated Best Director - 1956 (Henry King)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Gordon MacRae - Billy
       Shirley Jones - Julie
       Cameron Mitchell - Jigger
       Barbara Ruick - Carrie
       Claramae Turner - Cousin Nettie
       Robert Rounseville - Mr. Snow
       Audrey Christie - Mrs. Mullin
       John Dehner - Mr. Bascombs
       Jacques D'Amboise - Louise's Dancing Partner
       Frank Tweddell - Capt. Watson
       Tor Johnson - Strong Man
       Harry Johnson - Juggler
       Ed Mundy - Fire Eater
       Angelo Rossitto - Midget
       Dee Pollock - Enoch Snow, Jr.
       Richard Deacon - Policeman

• Director:

  Henry King

• Producer:

  Henry Ephron

• Screenwriter:

  Henry Ephron, Phoebe Ephron, Benjamin Glazer

• Play Author:

  Ferenc Molnar

• Cinematographer:

  Charles G. Clarke

• From Musical by:

  Oscar Hammerstein II

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Alfred Newman

• Composer (Music Score):

  Rodgers & Hammerstein

• From Musical by:

  Richard Rodgers

• Editor:

  William H. Reynolds

• Costume Designer:

  Mary Wills

• Choreography:

  Rod Alexander, Agnes de Mille

REVIEW:

• Carousel is one of the screen's most intelligent musicals. Director Henry King, who had begun his career as a stage actor, does a commendable job of transferring the material from its Broadway origins, even though the structure of the Rodgers & Hammerstein play from which it was adapted was significantly altered. Gordon MacRae, a fortuitous last-minute replacement for Frank Sinatra, gives a thoughtful, vibrant performance as carnival barker Billy Bigelow, who returns from a self-inflicted death in an attempt to find redemption. The supporting cast features an unusual blend of Hollywood actors, opera stars, and Broadway dancers -- and it's fun to see Tor Johnson perform in something other than an Ed Wood film. Charles Clarke's wide-screen cinematography adds substantially to the film's ambiance. The film's often downbeat tone, however, did not resonate with 1950s audiences, making Carousel a surprising box-office flop. ~ Richard Gilliam, Rovi