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Oklahoma!

Oklahoma!

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The DVD with the fringe on top.
Review: Truly a landmark American musical, it was obvious that Oklahoma would make The journey from stage to screen. Ironically, it took about 13 years for Director Fred Zinnemann to finally make it happen. It did however, benefit from the delay. That decade meant it could be filmed in a new TODD-AO widescreen process that was of course not available prior. And as anyone who has watched the film will tell you, much of the films beauty comes from its widescreen images. What many are not aware of is the fact that films shot in TODD-AO were not compatible with regular CinemaScope so each film was shot twice! If you were to watch The CinemaScope version next to The TODD-AO version you'd see two unique performances with different timing on edits as well as running time. The better quality transfer comes from The TODD-AO master but it seems the performances were a little better on The CinemaScope... No matter which process they used, the cameras incorporated were huge bulky things, which were a nuisance to move. This explains why much of this film uses static camera shots held on the image for long stretches of time. This affects the films pacing greatly and is one of the only signs of the films age.

The OKLAHOMA casting is wonderful. Gordon MacRae has a voice clear as crystal and uses it along with his trademark good looks in courting Laurey, played by the lovely Shirley Jones. As in most Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, there is a second couple worth noting. The very funny Gloria Grahame plays Ado Annie and her would be romantic interest Will Parker is played by the energetic and powerful gene Nelson. Other supporting roles of note include Eddie Albert as The "Persian" salesman, Ali Hakim and Charlotte Greenwood as "Aunt Eller". Another important role is the plains of Arizona, filling in nicely in the role of the plains of Oklahoma in scenes not done in the studio. Rod Steiger played the villain Jud Fry. He is at times too real for The 'flavor' of The film, which milks some of The fun out of songs like "Poor Jud is Daid". His limited singing voice also resulted in the removal of the song "Lonely Room" which is an important character piece on the stage.

Oklahoma is truly the cornerstone of the American Musical. And it is an amazing accomplishment for the first time collaborators of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The show is courageous, powerful and entertaining so it's nice that the film version was such a success. Even though the film is showing its age, mostly due to slow pacing and long camera shots, the film will never be forgotten and will always be alive. Its influence will continue to blow across the plains...

With the invention of DVD, films are now made available in a format that is truly better than what was originally made available. The colors are vibrant and the sound is sufficient compared with most others' unless you grew up watching this on Saturday afternoon television' Then this DVD is manna from heaven.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Oklahoma is OK!
Review: My friends who don't "get" musicals often lament about the breaking into song at the drop of a hat thing. I love it. Music so often expresses how I feel better than I could just say with words.

One detriment about many movie musicals is that often the actors aren't primarily singers. That's what I love about Shirley Jones and Julie Andrews movies - they are really fantastic singers.

Gordon MacRae was also tremendous. He and Shirley made a beautiful couple.

Rod Steiger was nominated for his role in "On the Waterfront" in 1955, but he also deserved it for his menacing Jud Fry.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One GREAT musical!
Review: Oklahoma is SPECTACULAR! Shirley Jones makes her screen debut and Gordan MacRae...Well, what is there to say? He's wonderful. There's also Gloria Grahame who adds enlightenment singing "I Can't Say No".
Rod Stieger plays Jud, the ranch hand who is in love with Laurie (Shirley Jones). This movie is good for all ages. Even my 8 year old sister enjoys it! SEE THIS MOVIE. It's definitely worth it!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Still enjoying Oklahoma!
Review: This video is ageless in its appeal to young and old. It typifies the golden age of Hollywood musicals, with its catchy songs and incredible dance scenes. No matter how many times I watch it, it never fails to create a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction. It stars Shirley Jones and Gordon Macrae as young lovers in the turn-of-the-century territory of Oklahoma. They represent the best of the American spirit-strong, passionate and willing to take chances for what matters most to them. This movie is among the best of Rogers and Hammerstein's work, and will remain a timeless classic for many generations to come!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Movie great music!
Review: Never get tired of Rogers and Hammerstein musicals and this is no exception.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Oklahoma
Review: This DVD is rated with a picture quality of 4 compared to Carousel with a picture quality of 3. I take strong exception to this and might want to give it a 2. Carousel was a much better picture quality. For example in the begiining of Oklahoma, when Curley is sing the "Surrey with the Finge on Top" you can see a target grid on his Red shirt as the image is panned. This is a very sloppy transfer even for non-anamorphic. I can only hope they will re-release it again in anamorphic format.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I still cain't say no
Review: One feature not that loudly heralded about Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals was that there was always some song in there that might not get it a show tune Oscar, but it had a quirky charm all its own nonetheless. In the case of "Oklahoma" it was the tune "I Cain't Say No", sung by Zasu Pitts as boy-crazy Ado Annie. The song is exactly as the title suggests--the statement of a lady who doesn't have the sex appeal to facilitate coyness. She likes men and has found that it's best to let us know it. I've dated at least one such woman--don't knock it. And, she suggests, the coy act can sometimes be counterproductive for the foxy ladies as well. Delivered in Pitts' thin voice, the tune never did get designated "our song" by couples, but such songs get you paying attention to the lyrics--every word. I first saw Pitts in her TV role as second-banana to Gale Storm (whatta name--sounds like a name for a stripper!) in "Oh Susannah", a series about a cruise ship (no, "Love Boat" wasn't the first). Pitts didn't impress me in her role there as Elvira "Nugey" Nugent, but then again, I was a little kid. She's brilliant here as Ado Annie, though. I've heard women with a lot better voices sing "I Cain't Say No" in other productions of this show (including high school), but to me the only true version is found here, sung by a woman with a wierd name and a voice that doesn't exactly blow you away--Zasu Pitts"

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very sweet!
Review: This is one of my favorite musicals. It's great for the family too, it stars Alfred Drake and Joan Roberts who have wonderful voices! The storyline is so-so, but understandable, if your going to get one musical let it be this one!! This is also great if you like classic country.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Oklahoma!
Review: This DVD is in letterbox (wide-screen) format and I will return it as soon as I receive it. I refuse to watch any movie in letterbox format on my PC or TV. I have no intention of ever getting a wide-screen TV. Anyone who now has or is planning to get a wide-screen TV should be warned: If wide-screen TVs ever become popular, Hollywood will quit making wide-screen movies and switch to IMAX.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Wait for the dual-version DVD disc
Review: Clearly there will be a "special edition" of this classic at some point, highlighting the Todd-AO and Cinemascope versions. Until that time, I'll hold off on buying this class film. I was able to see the Todd-AO version in the theater back in the mid-80s and was amazed what a great film this is.


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