Oklahoma Movie- Page 2

[kec]

Posted: 7/30/04 at 5:04am

As a Rodgers and Hammerstein fan, I've always enjoyed the film versions of their musicals, and Oklahoma was no exception. But when I saw the DVD of the London production, I felt like I was watching a whole new play. I agree with Jo's comment that the chemistry between Laurey and Curly had more sparks as they were played by Josefina Gabrielle and Hugh Jackman than between Shirley Jones and Gordon McRae. Shuler Hensley's Jud really made me uncomfortable as I watched him in his pursuit of Laurey, and especially during his tirade in the barnyard -- a feeling I never really got with Rod Steiger's portrayal. As for the ballet sequence, I very much liked that Josefina, Hugh and Shuler did their own dancing during that sequence. The use of other performers in the film version was a bit jarring -- in the space of how ever long that sequence is one is supposed to believe that those dancing on the screen are the same characters we've been watching all along. It bothered me.

Both versions have merit. But if I had to choose between the 1955 film and the 1999 London revival, I'd go for the latter.