Oklahoma! (1955)

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Movie
German title Oklahoma!
Original title Oklahoma!
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1955
length 145 minutes
Age rating FSK 12
Rod
Director Fred Zinnemann
script Sonya Levien
William Ludwig
production Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Oscar Hammerstein
Richard Rodgers
music Richard Rodgers
camera Robert Surtees
cut George Boemler
occupation

Oklahoma! is an American music film directed by Fred Zinnemann from 1955. The screenplay was written by Sonya Levien and William Ludwig . It is based on the musical of the same name by Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein (libretto). The strip had its world premiere on October 11, 1955 in the USA. In Germany it came to the cinema for the first time on May 31, 1957.

action

The story takes place at the beginning of the 20th century in a rural area in what will later become the US state of Oklahoma : One day, Will Parker returns to his homeland and tells the village what he has seen in the big city: There it should be very, for example There are tall houses called skyscrapers and a thing called a telephone that you can use to talk to people far away. Most of the villagers don't believe him; they think he's a show-off. Only the girl Ado Annie listens intently.

Long Curly, who is adored by all farm daughters, has it with blonde Laurey and is so sure of her love that he waits until the last moment to invite her to tomorrow's summer party. Because he takes so much time with it, Laurey wants to give him a lesson. She makes an appointment with Jud Fry, the servant of the farm that she runs with her aunt Eller. But it only takes a few minutes for Laurey to regret her actions; because Jud, with his squat manner, is becoming increasingly sinister to her. But now there is no turning back; together they take a carriage to the nearby town. Suddenly Jud begins to shower Laurey with compliments. Then she realizes that the guy is in love with her. When he wants to kiss her, she pushes him off the car, takes the reins herself and dashes away on her own.

Jud arrives at the fairground, sweaty and dusty. An auction has just started there, in which the basket donated by Laurey and filled with goodies will be auctioned. Now Jud is using all of his cash. He really wants to get the basket because he knows that he can then be Laurey's companion and dance partner for the rest of the day. But his rival Curly also offers a lot. However, his money will soon be used up. In the end he has no choice but to pawn his pistol, his saddle and his horse. In the end, however, it is he who can land with Laurey. The two decide to get married the next day.

Immediately after the wedding dinner, the young couple is kidnapped and forced to climb a high haystack on a steep ladder. Downstairs the men dance and sing and make jokes at the expense of the bride and groom. Suddenly the cry "Fire!" The men immediately end their game and rush to the scene of the fire. But this is part of Jud's dark plan. He comes out of his hiding place with a burning torch and throws it into the haystack. In order not to burn, Laurey and Curly have to jump down. Laurey makes it unharmed; but Curly is received by Jud with the knife drawn. After a tough duel, Jud lies dying on the floor with his own knife in his chest. A hastily convened court absolves Curly of all guilt.

The film ends with a festively decorated wedding carriage rolling down the country road the next day while the guests continue to celebrate; because they have just learned that Oklahoma has been admitted to the great federation of the United States.

Reviews

"Libretto and music do not differ from the musical scheme, but the songs as well as the picture and dance arrangements are brilliant."

- Lexicon of international film

Background and feedback

Originally, Around the World in 80 Days was planned to be the first film in Todd-AO , but they decided on the hugely successful musical Oklahoma! by Rodgers and Hammerstein . Arthur Hornblow Jr. made the film for the Magna Theater Corporation, which distributed the film as a 70mm road show. At the same time, a 35mm CinemaScope version was created, which awarded RKO in 1955 and 20th Century Fox in 1956 .

Oklahoma! was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2007. In 1999, the musical was again adapted by Trevor Nunn , in which the Australian actor Hugh Jackman played the role of Curly.

Awards (selection)

source

  • Program for the film: Illustrierte Film-Bühne , Vereinigte Verlagsgesellschaft Franke & Co., Munich, No. 3679

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Oklahoma! In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used 
  2. ↑ Oklahoma! (1999). Internet Movie Database , accessed June 10, 2015 .