The King and I (1956 film)
| The King and I | |
|---|---|
| File:259111.1020.A.jpg original film poster | |
| Directed by | Walter Lang |
| Written by | Ernest Lehman Margaret Landon (novel) Oscar Hammerstein II (play) |
| Produced by | Charles Brackett Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited) |
| Starring | Deborah Kerr Yul Brynner Rita Moreno Martin Benson Terry Saunders |
| Cinematography | Leon Shamroy |
| Edited by | Robert Simpson |
| Music by | Richard Rodgers |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date | June 28, 1956 |
Running time | 133 mins |
| Language | English/ Thai |
- This article is about the 1956 film, for the musical on which the film was based, see The King and I
The King and I is a 1956 musical film made by 20th Century Fox, directed by Walter Lang and produced by Charles Brackett and Darryl F. Zanuck. The screenplay by Ernest Lehman is based on the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical The King and I, based in turn on the the book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. The plot comes from the story written by Anna Leonowens, who became school teacher to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. Leonowens' story was autobiographical, although its objective accuracy is questioned. In Thailand, the possession of anything related to Anna and the King of Siam or The King and I is illegal, because of what the Thai government says are historical inaccuracies about the King of Siam.[1] [2].
The film stars Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr with Rita Moreno, Terry Saunders, Martin Benson, Rex Thompson, Patrick Adiarte, Alan Mowbray and Geoffrey Toone. The cinematography was by Leon Shamroy, the art direction by John DeCuir and Lyle R. Wheeler and the costume design by Irene Sharaff.
Production
The musical was written for Gertrude Lawrence and her appearance in the film was contractually guaranteed. However, she was diagnosed with cancer while playing the role on Broadway and died during the run. Dinah Shore, a singer as well as an actress, was considered for the role of Anna in the movie. Maureen O'Hara, who had a pleasant soprano voice, was originally cast, but Richard Rodgers did not agree to the casting. It was Yul Brynner who pressed for Deborah Kerr to play the role. Marni Nixon provided Kerr's singing for the film. Nixon also dubbed Kerr's singing again for the film An Affair to Remember.
Several of the musical's songs were deleted from the film, but three of these are heard on the soundtrack recording. Omitted from the film were "My Lord and Master," "I Have Dreamed," "Western People Funny," and "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?", as well as reprises of several of the other songs. "I Have Dreamed" and "Western People Funny" survive in the film as orchestral underscoring. A special 50th Anniversary edition was released in 2006, which promised to restore the lost numbers, but it included only the audio for "Shall I Tell You?" This would seem to indicate no footage exists of these numbers. An off-screen choral reprise of "Something Wonderful" was added to serve as the film's finale. (The play ends with musical underscoring, but no singing.)
The film was shot and promoted in the then-new 55mm CinemaScope 55, but was actually shown in the standard 35mm CinemaScope, with 4-channel stereo instead of the 6-channel stereo originally promised. CinemaScope 55 was never used or promoted again after this production.
Plot
Mrs. Anna Leonowens, a widow from Wales (Kerr), arrives in Bangkok with her young son, Louis, to teach English to the children of the royal household of King Mongkut (Brynner). She is greeted but told she will stay in the palace, although the king told her she will have a house. She demands to see the king and douse see him. He ask's her questions about herself, wich she replys with ridiculouse answers("How old are you?" "I am a 150 years old") The king is pleased with her and takes her to meet his wives and his children that live in the palace (he has 62 more) and she agree's to stay and teach them. Hear she meet's a new, young wife named Tuptim, who is unhappy living at the castle.
As Anna teaches her lesson to the children, she explains that getting to now people is her favorite thing to "teach" (Getting to Know You). The lesson goes on and the children start to not belive in the things she is teaching them, such as snow and Siam being so small. The king interveans and scolds his children for not beliving her.
Late one night, the king summons Anna to talk to her about the Bible, and how Moses says the world was created in six days. They hhave a small argument about Anna standing above the King, and is forced to sit on the floor as the king has her write a letter to President Lincoln, telling him he will send elephants to America to help with the Civil War. Later, the King is told that England thinks him a barbaric leader, so he and Anna plan a English stlye feast for many European officals. Anna helps to make some of the ladies European dresses, while she herself weres a beautiful golden gown (with much of her sholders showing, a mild disconfort to the King). Her friend and ex-lover Edward Ramsy is also there, and she and him dance together before the feast, wich the King walks in on and is obulisley jealous. The king offers his arm to her and leads her to dinner, were the guest are entertained by Tuptims on theactrical version of Uncle Toms Cabin. When the play is over, however, she escapeds with her lover. Anna and the King talk after the feast, and he gives her one of his rings as a present. Anna is quite taken by this gesture. She then teaches him how to dance (Shall we Dance?), wich requiers the King putting his hand on her waist, a disconfort for them both. However, when they are dancing, Tuptim is found and the King is told of her lover. He decides to whip her, but Anna calls him a barbarian, and that he has no heart. He is unable ti whip Tuptim and runs of, and Anna gives back the ring and decides to leave Siam
Anna, thinking that she can no longer be of any use, is just about to leave Siam when she is told that the King is dying. She goes to his bedside and he gives her back the ring,saying that she helped him learn alot. She decides to stay in order to help his young son, Crown Prince Chulalongkorn -- her favorite pupil -- to rule his people. As the prince is making his first statements as King, the King dies, only Anna and his right hand man notacing. The film ends with Anna laying her head on his hand.
Awards and nominations
Academy Awards
The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won five.
Wins
- Best Actor - Yul Brynner
- Best Art Direction - John DeCuir and Lyle R. Wheeler
- Best Costume Design, Color - Irene Sharaff
- Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture - Alfred Newman and Ken Darby
- Sound Recording - Carlton W. Faulkner
Nominations
- Best Actress - Deborah Kerr
- Best Cinematography, Color - Leon Shamroy
- Best Director - Walter Lang
- Best Picture - Charles Brackett
Brynner was one of seven actors to win the Tony and the Oscar for the same role.
Golden Globe Awards
Wins
Nominations
- Best Film Promoting International Understanding
- Best Motion Picture Actor - Comedy/Musical - Yul Brynner
Other
In 2006, this film ranked #11 on the American Film Institute's list of best musicals.
