20th Century-Fox Dynamo (February 11, 1956)

In a practical. New England concept of heaven, Billy Bigelow (Gordon MacRae) is sum- moned by the Starkeeper (Gene Lockhart) who passes on his request for permission to return to earth for a single day, after learning from a heavenly friend that all is not well with his kinfolk below. The Starkeeper hesitates and Billy, in setting forth his reasons for the re- quest, reviews his hectic life on earth. On earth Billy had a job running a carousel for Mrs. Mullin (Audrey Christie) at a Maine shore amusement park. It is apparent the slight- ly arrogant Billy is a great attraction for the girls. He fascinates particularly ethereal Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones) and her lovely, but know- ing friend Carrie (Barbara Ruick). When Julie seems unable to find a horse to ride, Billy picks her up and deposits her (above) on the last remaining one, starting a flirtation. The carousel incident might have passed as a casual one to Billy had not Mrs. Mullin (extreme left) jealously resented the smiles and attention he bestows on Julie. She orders Julie and Carrie to stay away from the carousel, but Billy, incapable of not joining in any fight, is soon in the midst of one. In the end, more as expression of his own independence than in defense of Julie, he quits. Page 16 Now, jobless, Billy, pretending he is happy about everything and the girls* attentions, tells them he will meet them later at a bench in a nearby park. Carrie, who is engaged to Mr. Snow (Robert Rounesville), a herring fisherman, asks Julie if she believes she is in love with Billy. Mystified by Julie’s vague answer, Carrie makes her comment in song, rendering "You’re A Queer One, Julie Jordan." Mill-owner, Mr. Bascombe (Richard Gaines, far right) passes by and, recognizing Julie, urges her to return to the boarding house and, by implication, her job in his mill. They are joined by Timony (William Sharon), a policeman who says Billy has a record of bedazzling girls and taking their money. He warns her to stay away from him, if she knows what is good for her, but Julie says has no money. Giving up, as he leaves Bascombe tells the policeman: "There are some of them you just can’t help. Still unable to fathom her, Billy asks Julie if she hasn’t been frightened by what the police- man said about him. She replies "No" and adds that if she loved him nothing would make any difference. Then, in the words of "If I Loved You’’, she says if she loved him she would never be able to tell him. There is absolutely no doubt even now that "Carousel** will eclipse the record- setting career the Richard Rodgers-Oscar Hammerstein musical enjoyed during its long runs on Broadway, in London and in a half dozen other foreign capitals, as well as on the road in the United States. Reaction of the some 62,000 people, who had attended demonstrations of the 55mm CinemaScope process up to press- time, forecasts an auspicious reception for the first motion picture filmed by that 4 ’' photographic method, but exhibited with prints reduced to 35mm. The demonstration audience reaction to that portion depicting the "June Is Bustin’ All Over** number has seemingly been sufficient to convince thousands of exhibitors, opinion-makers and others that "Carousel" strikes the highest note so far in screen musical entertainment. Every- where this number has been as spontaneous- ly applauded as it was when first shown at Allied exhibitors* national convention in Chicago last November. Not since the 1953 demonstrations of the CinemaScope process, has a feature enjoyed the ovations being lavished on the "June Is Bustin* All Over** number. That single number is conclusively convincing demon- stration viewers of the wonderful advance- ments effected in the CinemaScope process of 55mm lensing. Estimates based on attendance at demonstrations so far held in the field leave no doubt that at least 250,000 people will have thrilled to the wonders of Cine- maScope "55" by the time the last showing is held on Feb. 21. Branch managers and others report practically every U. S. exhibitor will have attended the demonstrations by that date. Nettie (Claramae Turner), a wholesome, buxom woman, owner of the local restaurant, learns from Clem (Harrison Dowd) who, in addi- tion to being a lobsterman, is also the town gossip, that townsfolk had noticed Julie and Billy had disappeared several days previously. Just then Billy and Julie show up on the wharf and announce they had married. 55MM DEMONSTRATIONS EXALT “CAROUSEL”