MovieChat Forums > Carousel (1956) Discussion > Just Plain Surprised

Just Plain Surprised

posted 20 years ago by Darth_Carousel53
11 replies | jump to latest

Wow,,I have heard so much about this movie and I got it on DVD, though I have never seen it. I just watched the beginning part and I am a little disappointed. I loved Gordon MacRae in Oklahoma! (who didn't?), but this one just doesn't have the "star" quality that other musicals from Rodgers and Hammerstein had. Shirley Jones was cute and they worked very well together, but the plot was too corny.
Does anyone think that if Frank Sinatra was casted, the ratings would have gone up? Perhaps the movie wouldn't have been a total flop then. I don't know, just a little thought. But MacRae and his voice seemed to fit in nicely, I think. Oh, I don't know. What do you think?
Thanks!

That's it,for now.

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|Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.|
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[–] Darth_Carousel53 20 years ago

Ok,,,i saw it last night and I love it. Yes,, it may be a little too long but the main story was so sad. Louise may have a little brat, but despite that, I would watch this movie again.

[–] Shearer_Goddard_Russell 19 years ago

I think I would have hated this movie if Frank Sinatra was in it... no offense. I have a love/hate relationship with this to begin with, because I have major problems with the way Billy treats Julie, and yet the music is so nice.. most of it.. my grandmother bought it for me for Christmas one year, and I don't mind owning it, but I could live without it.

WHADDYA ASKIN' ME FOR?!
I'm not asking you, I'm telling you, who is on 1st!
I dunno!
3RD BASE!

[–] ijonesiii 19 years ago

I read a long time ago that Frank Sinatra and Doris Day were originally approached for the roles of Billy and Julie. As a matter of fact, Sinatra began recording the score, but he dropped out when he learned that the film was being made in two different forms and that they would have to film everything twice. Day was unavailable because she had collapsed on the set of her last film, ironically titled JULIE and was having health problems, thus setting the stage for a Gordon MacRae/Shirley Jones reunion. Personally, I liked them in this film better than OKLAHOMA! The story and characters were much more adult and there was material here rather shocking for a 1950's Broadway musical such as domestic abuse, but these adult sensibilities set it apart from the average musical that was being made in the 50's and CAROUSEL also contains one of the most beautiful scores ever written ("If I Loved You", "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Soliloquy")and the chemistry between MacRae and Jones is undeniable IMO. The movie is a little long, but it's worth the ride.

[–] rorysa 19 years ago

This is one of my all-time favorites, and I can't imagine it without MacRae and Jones. Sinatra recorded all his songs; he didn't walk off the picture till the first day of filming in Boothbay Harbor. He crooned "If I Loved You" as if he were singing it to the Bobby-Soxers; MacRae's rendition is vastly superior. By the way, I recall an interview (I think in Films in Review) many years ago with vocal arranger Ken Darby, Alfred Newman's long-time associate. He said Sinatra required many takes when he came in to record for this film. MacRae entered the film and his voice was clear as a bell on the first takes.

[–] CushyJob 19 years ago

No offense to Frankie - he had the voice for his time. But he was no classical singer like MacRae. Even FS would be the first to admit that. I think I became a dreamer because of this movie - because of the story, music, the dream sequence dance, and Shirley Jones' and Gordon MacRae's relationship in it. When he died (both in the movie and in real life) I was heartbroken!

Vocatus atque non vocatus deus aderit...

[–] justoldbill 19 years ago

Gordon MacRae was a nice guy. When I was a kid, a summer stock company in my town was doing KISMET, and I got to hang around the rehearsals. He was pleasant and nice to talk to. He was also a terrific Hajj.

[–] CushyJob 19 years ago

what's a Hajj?

vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit...

[–] Bilbo155015 19 years ago

I think he means the role of Hajj, hehe

[–] elgatony 19 years ago

I'm also surprised that the Trivia section makes no mention that after 2 tragedies involving the deaths of fans, the crowd at the Liverpool soccer games sings "You'll Never Walk Alone" as their anthem. Imagine 46,000 people singing that song in unison? It's either creepy or inspiring.

Philip: Shut your foul mouth, you ten-titted bitch from Hades!

[–] rorysa 19 years ago

Of course, it became an anthem at the end of WWII. Certainly has to be one of the most inspirational songs ever written.

[–] suzycreamcheese1 17 years ago

Maybe if Sinatra were CAST, not CASTED, lol.