Sunday, December 03, 2006
MAGIC
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was
I grew up with this musical.
When it opened on Broadway, I was 6 years old and so its sound has been in the air for me since that time.
I never saw the show but as a young and apiring gay boy I had plenty of time to study the score, which I played on the piano—and sort of sang—as well as the original cast album which I mimed to endlessly.
It was to be the first of the many musicals that I saved up and bought the piano score and the original cast album.
When I got to Boston and real, live pre-Broadway shows were available almost weekly, I was primed. Second balcony seats were cheap especially at student rates. I saw 'everything'
Oklahoma blazed a new trail for musicals. It is hard to believe that this was the first show to have the music follow the story. Every song advances the plot.
It is still vibrantly alive. A revival with Hugh Jackman ran successfully just a few years ago.
I was not impressed with this film when it arrived in 1955. I was in college and too smart for my own good. I was seeing live musicals.
They opened this as a 'road show' film. Hollywood was scared of television and they ran some big screen films as events; reserved seats, limited engagements, intermissions and all.
I remember having a seat too close so it was actually torture to watch.
Now, however, 50 years later, I really enjoyed seeing this restored film in its anniversary edition.
They have restored the complete film (including the frequently chopped from the print Agnes DeMille ballet in the middle) and it sparkles and shines.
I am sure that my 'lump in the throat' reaction is a product of lifetime exposure but also, it is a damn fine film.
A small voice within still says that it is not the live show either but time does heal all wounds and the issue is really beside the point.
This is a 5 out of Netflix5.
I had forgotten what a hunk Gordon MacRea was. He and Howard Keel were the default replacements for all the uncinematic Broadway guys.
They were both very good.
