READ THIS FIRST: This is a 12-inch Diameter Laserdisc, which is NOT the same as DVD and cannot be played on a DVD player!
Laserdisc Title: "OKLAHOMA! (1955)"
Edition: Special Widescreen Edition (Double-Disc Set)
Directed By: Fred Zinnemann
Starring: Gordon MacRae, Gloria Grahame, Shirley Jones, Gene Nelson, Charlotte Greenwood, Eddie Albert, James Whitmore
Production / Year: 1955 Estate of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Renewed 1983
Running Time: 148 Minutes / Color
Audio Format: Digital Sound, Stereo Surround, CX Encoded
Video Format: LTBX, NTSC, CLV (Extended Play)
Miscellaneous Features: Not Rated
Distributed By: CBS/Fox Video
Catalog / Spine Number: 7020-85
Cosmetic Condition:
Disc (s): UNOPENED / FACTORY SEALED
Jacket: UNOPENED / FACTORY SEALED
Synopsis:
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...
THIS IS A 12" LASERDISC AND WILL NOT PLAY IN A DVD PLAYER
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