MovieChat Forums > Carousel (1956) Discussion > A few reasons I think people like Carous...

A few reasons I think people like Carousel...

posted 11 years ago by PussyCrusher_Principal
3 replies | jump to latest

I know a lot of reasons given why people DONT like it, and some of those will come into play in my few reasons. So, from a non-theater expert:

1) Bill is a no account wife beater...how many times in your life have you seen a beautiful woman who could probably have any man she wants end up with someone like Bigelow? How many men do you figure thought "I could love Julie the way she deserves, if only..." It happens in life all the time. Now, usually they end up used up and trashy, Brought down to his level, while Shirley Jones stays strong (if awfully sad)

2) When Bill receives news that he'll be a father, he swells with pride and sings of what he will do for his progeny when they grow (never even suspecting he doesn't have it in him), and he would probably like to change, but his die is cast...again, as many will tell you, in general, people don't change. I've seen this myself.

3) the fate of Louise, spurned by the other kids because of who her father was and the fact that she doesn't have one. Times were those things really happened. Susan Luckey makes you feel her aching loneliness and being unable to comprehend what they find wrong with her.

In short, as has been said before when comparing Oklahoma and Carousel "...Carousel is Life"....and ending with "You'll Never Walk Alone", with BB always watching over Louise and Julie....many fatherless (and motherless) children I'm sure have that fantasy.it took me a while to come around to Carousel myself, so I didn't come by these thoughts, well, thoughtlessly...not that they're original or anything, I just haven't noticed them put together in one place, and I just read a few posts by naysayers (whose POV I "get"), so I just wanted to put them down while fresh.

Anyone agree? Anything to add?

"Yes yes yes, the reason for the visit. Got it all deployed for you. Tastes the wares, Email."

[–] Chason_S 11 years ago

I watched it for the first time yesterday and thought it was just terrible. Gordon MacRae's acting is of the lowest denominator, the sets are cheesey, it's dripping with a lot of sentimental garb, and I think it's possibly the worst movie musical I've ever seen (and I love a lot of them.) I recognize and love quite a few of the songs - but I certainly could not sit through it again to hear them.
Great post btw!

[–] Shimmer_Me_Timbers 10 years ago

1) Bill is a no account wife beater...how many times in your life have you seen a beautiful woman who could probably have any man she wants end up with someone like Bigelow? How many men do you figure thought "I could love Julie the way she deserves, if only..." It happens in life all the time. Now, usually they end up used up and trashy, Brought down to his level, while Shirley Jones stays strong (if awfully sad)

I don't get how you think he's not a 'wife beater'. He admist several times that he hit her - because he was wrong and she was right. Clearly that's happened more than once because Julie was legitimatly afraid of his reaction when she told him she was pregnant.

It has nothing to do with "I could love Julie the way she deserves, if only..." Yeah, if only he got his *beep* together and stopped being a winey bum with no job who hits his wife.

2) When Bill receives news that he'll be a father, he swells with pride and sings of what he will do for his progeny when they grow (never even suspecting he doesn't have it in him), and he would probably like to change, but his die is cast...again, as many will tell you, in general, people don't change. I've seen this myself.

He didn't change. Yes he was happy at the thought of progeny but he gets the news and instead of going to make ammends with Mr. Snow in hopes of getting a job he decideds to go help out with a poorly devised robery scheme.

3) the fate of Louise, spurned by the other kids because of who her father was and the fact that she doesn't have one. Times were those things really happened. Susan Luckey makes you feel her aching loneliness and being unable to comprehend what they find wrong with her.

I didn't mind that part. I honestly think that should've been the main focus of the story because it just wrapped up too quickly. After years of being tormented by the other kids for what her father did she suddenly decideds she wants to actually TRY to be approachable and happy. I partially blame Julie, she had to know that Bill's actions would negativly affect her name and the life of her child. She would've been better off saving her pennies and moving to California (I think that's where Bill wanted to go) to start a new life.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]