Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1956)

?///» Off ktitiHCtiPH June's Bustin Out All Over" — superb production number. "Carousel" Luminous Musical Show in C'Scope 55 Scui*ete 1£<ztut Q Q Q O Glowing version of the great Rodgers & Hammerstein show in wonderful new CinemaScope 55. Music, dancing, singing, story all top-drawer. A boxoffice smash. The excitement that's been in the industry air for several months now in connection with 20th Century-Fox's production of "Carousel" has been fully justified. Unveiled at the Roxy, in New York, last Thursday, it's a glorious show Jthat is destined to be a boxoffice smash. Filmed in the Tdeepiy dimensional, rich new CinemaScope 55 process, the tender, moving story, the wonderful singing and dancing, and the incomparable Rodgers and Hammerstein score provide a feast of entertainment. Charles G. Clarke's C'Scope-DeLuxe color lensing is everything one could have wished for — and more. It has enormous detail and :larity, evenness of color and tone, and is simply exciting I to look at. On more than one occasion it drew applause :rcm the audience. The R&H score, as projected on an impressive stereophonic soundtrack, is nothing short of glowing. There is la continuous flow of wonderful melody, as one number jives way to the next — and all are exciting. The cast does i pem full justice: Barbara Ruick's charming "When I UMarry Mr. Snow," Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones singng "If I Loved You," Jones' lovely "What's the Use of kVond'ring?," Claramae Turner belting "June Is Bustin' 3ut All Over" (perhaps the finest all-around production lumber yet put on film), or her moving rendition of "You'll ^ever Walk Alone." The great "Soliloquy", in which Billy Sigelow expresses his hopes for his unborn child, is posibly the highlight of all these riches. MacRae's job is so T,ood that the song looks like a sure show-stopper. In adfition, the superb musical background, supervised and conlucted by Alfred Newman, adds immeasurably to the hrilling total effect of the score. The choreography by 3od Alexander is fresh and stimulating. The "June" number, as mentioned, is superb — so full of life, motion and MacRae, back from heaven, discusses his future with wife Shirley Jones and friend Barbara Ruick [More REVIEWS on Page 10] color that it won't easily be forgotten. Louise's bal'et — a fantasy danced by teenager Susan Luckey, is also great. Scripters Phoebe and Henry Ephron have stuck rather close to the original stage version, and their screenplay is always simple, but expressive. It gets the story told with neat economy, and with all the eloquence of the fi'm's music, there's little need for expository dia'ogue. Henry King's direction is beautifully paced, and displays appropriate feeling for mood and character. MacRae follows up his personal triumph in "Oklahoma!"' with an excellent performance as Bigelow, the carousel barker. Singing or talking, he's thoroughly convincing. And Shirley Jones will win new adherents as the longsuffering Julie. Her portrayal is simple, unaffected, warm. Newcomer Barbara Ruick is delightful as Carrie (Jones' friend), and Robert Rounseville is excellent as the pompous Mr. Snow. Other roles provide a series of rich characterizations. All in all, this musical version of Molnar's play has been brought to the screen in superior fashion — a boxoffice hit for 20th-Fox and theatremen, and a treat for all audiences. The story begins with MacRae, informed in heaven that his family is having trouble on earth, teliing Star-keeper Lockhart (via flashback) of the events that led to his death: his meeting with Shirley Jones at the carousel, their love and marriage, the personal failures that brought him, out of work, to attempt a robbery with Cameron Mitchell, and his accidental death trying to escape when the plan is foiled. Lockhart allows him to go to earth for one day to see if he can help daughter Susan Luckey, lonely and unhapoy because of her father's life. MacRae leaves a star which he "snatched" from heaven, makes himself visible to Luckey. Without seeing him, Shirley is aware of his presence. And, at Luckey 's graduation, mother and daughter feel a joy in the prospect of the future. 20th Century-Fox Production, introducing CinemaScope 55. I28 minutes. Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Cameron Mitchell, Barbara Ruick, Claramae Turner, Robert Rounseville, Gene Lockhart, Audrey Christie, Susan Luckey, William Le Massena, John Dehner. Produced by Henry Ephron. Directed by Henry King. Screenplay by Phoebe and Henry Ephron. Music by Richard Rodgers. Book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. From the musical play based on Ferenc Molnar'r "Liliom" as adapted by Benjamin F. Glaier. Choreography by Rod Alexander. Music supervised and conducted by Alfred Newman. Photography, Charles G. Clarke. Film BULLETIN February 20, 1 956 Page 9