vineri, 9 februarie 2018

Oklahoma!, screenplay by Sonya Levien, William Ludwig, based on dramatic play by Lynn Riggs


Oklahoma!, screenplay by Sonya Levien, William Ludwig, based on dramatic play by Lynn Riggs


Oklahoma has won two Academy Awards and was nominated for a further two at the Ceremony in 1956

However, this viewer must state upfront that he was not crazy about this musical, in spite of its poster image with:

It’s Here!
The best-loved Musical of our time…
Now a motion picture big as all outdoors”

Well, maybe, but apart from Rod Steiger, one of the greatest actors of all time, there was little to make it so resplendent.
The plot is simple, maybe too crude, even if that should be compensated by the music and dancing.

Indeed, there are a couple of songs that even this critical spectator enjoyed and the modern ballet was impressive.
The Surrey With The Fringe on Top was one of the favorite chants, notwithstanding the crudeness of the lines:

“Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry
When I take you out in the surrey,
When I take you out in the surrey with the fringe on top!”

The verses of the songs do not contrast however with the manner of speaking of the protagonists.
None of them has attended school.
Well, not for more than two years.

They say:
“You was, they is” on a regular basis.

And Now For Something Completely Different (Monty Python masterpieces- these are films that one should see instead of losing time with Oklahoma):

Some of the characters involved do have Signature Strengths and I refer here to Curly McLain, simple but also showing:
Vitality, Love, Kindness, Persistence- he sells everything he has, Bravery, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

Gratitude, Hope, some Humor, Modesty, Perspective and more

When his nemesis and rival for the affection of Ado Annie Carnes is bidding for lunch with her, the hero takes this to an extreme.
Curly has only five dollars to use to gain permission to lunch with the woman he loves, in a charity event.

However, when Jud Fry, the evil personage portrayed by the genius actor Rod Steiger, outbids him, the romantic hero gives all he has.
First, he sells his saddle for ten dollars, and then he gives away his horse for fifteen and finally sells his pistol.

That is commendable.
Perhaps outstanding, glorious.

The other song that I have enjoyed is Oh What A Beautiful Morning:

“Oh, what a beautiful mornin',
Oh, what a beautiful day.
I got a beautiful feelin'
Ev'rything's goin' my way.”

Oklahoma! Has been remarked upon by The New York Times, albeit it is somewhat hard to see why.
It is on the prestigious newspaper’s list of Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made:




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