Oklahoma! is a classic American film musical from 1955, directed by Fred Zinnemann and based on the popular Broadway show of the same name by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The film is set in the Oklahoma Territory in the early 1900s and tells the story of a young farm girl named Laurey Williams, played by Shirley Jones, and her complicated romantic relationships with two men: cowboy Curly McLain, played by Gordon MacRae, and farmhand Jud Fry, played by Rod Steiger.
The film begins with Curly singing the iconic song "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" as he makes his way through the countryside on horseback, and sets the tone for the sunny and optimistic mood of the movie. Laurey is initially resistant to Curly's advances, but eventually realizes that she loves him too. Meanwhile, the menacing and brooding Jud Fry develops a dangerous obsession with Laurey, leading to an intense and dramatic confrontation between the two men.
In addition to the central love triangle, the film also features a secondary romantic subplot between Will Parker, played by Gene Nelson, and Ado Annie, played by Gloria Grahame. Will has just returned from Kansas City and is eager to marry Ado Annie, despite her flirtatious behavior and past dalliances with other men. The two have some of the film's most entertaining musical numbers, including the comedic songs "Kansas City" and "All Er Nuthin'."
One of the most memorable aspects of Oklahoma! is the abundance of catchy and enduring songs, many of which have become classics of the musical theater canon. In addition to "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" and the aforementioned numbers, the film features the rousing and patriotic "Oklahoma!" and the romantic ballad "People Will Say We're in Love." The film's music was composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and won the Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.
Overall, Oklahoma! is a delightful and nostalgic musical that captures the spirit and optimism of classic American cinema. The film's lush Technicolor cinematography, exciting dance sequences, and memorable musical numbers make it a joy to watch, even for those who may not be fans of the genre. The performances of the talented cast, particularly Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae, bring heart and wit to the film's tale of love and longing in the pioneering days of the American West.
Oklahoma! is a 1955 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 74.
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Genres
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CastGordon MacRaeGloria GrahameGene Nelson
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DirectorFred Zinnemann
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Release Date1955
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MPAA RatingG
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Runtime2 hr 25 min
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LanguageEnglish
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IMDB Rating7.0 (14,486)
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Metascore74
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