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Shirley Jones' Favorite Score/ Best Moment in this Movie?

posted 18 years ago by theludman
8 replies | jump to latest

If you go to shirleyjones.com, you'll see that she picks "Carousel" as her favorite Rodgers & Hammerstein score. This musical is so much more dark than other musicals at the time. I think that's why I love it the most. I read that it was not as successful at the box office for that reason. Sheila MacRae, in her tell-all autobiography called "Hollywood Mother of the Year" (you can buy it Used at amazon.com - What a read!) also said the songs in Carousel were special for her. She specifically mentioned, "What's the Use of Wonderin'" as particularly touching for her. She felt that this song not only touched her on a personal level but also Shirley Jones, who was married to Jack Cassidy when she made this movie. Both men had issues in their personal lives. Sheila MacRae also told how she felt like she fell in love all over again with Gordon when she heard him sing, "If I Loved You" with Shirley Jones' character, Julie. When his character, Billy, comes back to Julie later when daughter Louise is "all grown-up" and he begins to sing part of the song to her again, I can't help but cry every time I watch it. "Longing to tell you but afraid and shy..." For me, it's the most bittersweet moment in the history of American Musicals.
Anyone else have a favorite moment in "Carousel"?

[–] rorysa 18 years ago

You're right--the "If I Loved You" reprise is one of the most, if not THE most, emotional scenes in theater history. And yet, Richard Rodgers passed it off casually, saying they just needed another number in the last Act! I'll bet he knew better.

[–] theludman 18 years ago

Wow! That's unbelievable. I hadn't heard that before. Thanks for sharing!

[–] rachelandstephanie 18 years ago

Anything with Gordon MacRae singing is beautiful. If I Loved You is just- sabfadfh!!!!!! Lovely.

~~You're tearing me apart!~~

[–] runswithscissors86 18 years ago

Anytime Gordon MacRae opened his mouth to sing, it was magic. I love "If I Loved You." And the end, with everyone singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" is simply grand.

____________________
Well, this sucks.

[–] Isaac5855 18 years ago

I'm so glad to learn that "What's the Use of Wondrin" is so special for Shirley because I think it's Shirley's most beautiful musical moment in the film...her rendition of that song is just enchanting.

[–] tuss_bear 18 years ago

The last scene, when the townspeople are singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" gets me every time. When Billy whispers to Julie, "Know that I loved you, Julie!" and Shirley Jones smiles and starts to sing--I just fall apart. It's one of the moments in cinema that all I have to do is think about and I get fahklempt.

[–] BethH24 17 years ago

' If i loved you' ,'whats the use of wonderin', and ' you'll never walk alone' always bring tears to my eyes too.

I like the scene where Billy is sarcastic with mrs mullen after she says she has fired him,that's funny,and i also think Billy and Julie were really sweet when they first met in that scene and in the next scene where julie goes to wait for him on the bench and they talk.

I love this film !

[–] washboard 17 years ago

I recently got this for my kids.

I vaguley remember it as being my parent's favourite films. What a marvellous film. Sad and uplifting at the same time.

I cried several times, which is a first when watching a film.

I found the most moving scenes the beautiful 'If I loved you' and the reprise which cholked me up, when Billy sings to Julie in the garden. The final scene at the graduation when they sing 'you'll never walk alone' reduced me to floods of tears.

My kids loved it too, although they were shocked to see dad crying for the first time!.

A true masterpiece!