Carousel1956
Carousel (1956)
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Billy Bigelow
as Julie
as Jigger
as Carrie
as Nettie
as Enoch Snow
as Starkeeper/Dr. Selden
as Mrs. Mullin
as Louise
as Mr. Bascombe
as Heavenly Friend
as Louise's Dancing Partner
as Capt. Watson
as Policeman
as Enoch Snow Jr.
as Contortionist
as Fat Woman
as Strong Man
as Juggler
as Sword Swallower
as Fire Eater
as Midget
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Critic Reviews for Carousel
All Critics (6) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (1) | DVD (2)
The fact that Carousel is Rogers and Hammerstein's least accessible and darkest musical is what makes it so compelling
Carousel on screen is something less, alas.
Audience Reviews for Carousel
Truly some of the most beautiful and most sophisticated music to come out of Broadway. If you like musicals and haven't seen this yet. you must.
If I loved you
Time and again I would try to say
All I'd want you to know.
If I loved you
Words wouldn't come in an easy way
Round in circles I'd go.
Longin' to tell you, but afraid and shy
I'd let my golden chances pass me by.
Soon you'd leave me
Off you would go in the mist of day
Never, never to know
How I loved you . . .
If I loved you.
One of the greatest love songs to come out of musical theater. Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones: A Hollywood musical match made in heaven. I wonder if Jones might have broken a few hearts in high school . . .
Carousel's story is different from most Hollywood musicals in several ways, the most significant of which is that true love is won right at the beginning, then is tragically squandered by Billy Bigelow, although not ultimately lost. Besides such memorable numbers as the "Carousel Waltz" theme itself and "You'll Never Walk Alone"--the ultiimate graduation song--, one of my all-time favorites is "When (the) Children Are Asleep," the beautiful duet, shared by Carrie and Mr. Snow on the way to the clambake, in which they dream of their married future together:
When the children are asleep we'll sit and dream
The things that every other dad and mother dream.
When the children are asleep and lights are low
If I still love you the way I love you today
You'll pardon my sayin' I told you so.
When the children are asleep, I'll dream with you.
We'll think what fun we have had and be glad that it all came true.
Super Reviewer
One of the darkest if not the darkest of the big Hollywood or Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals this has an almost throughly unsympathic anti-hero and somewhat of a doormat, at least at first, for a leading lady. However it also has some of the most beautiful music ever written sung by two great artists. "If I Loved You" is a song so full of cautious yearning and guarded longing with beautiful simplicity it tells you so much about Billy and Julie any other back story would be wasted. "You'll Never Walk Alone" is starkly moving and "June Is Busting Out All Over" provides some much needed levity in the heavy proceedings. Shirley Jones, at perhaps the peak of her lovliness, and Gordon MacRae, always one of the most attractive men in films with his All American robustness, with their chemistry and charisma make the two main characters people you care about which especially in Billy Bigelow's case is not the easiest accomplishment. As far as their singing performances Shirley as was always the case is in exquisite voice but the real standout has got to be Gordon, blessed with a gorgeous baritone and a fine expressive style, he is terrific here particularly in his big showstopping set piece "Soliloquy". A beautiful film about imperfect people, and the redemption of one, that may not be politically correct if viewed through the prism of modern times but looked at from the persepective of the times it was made in is a great entertainment.
Super Reviewer
A nice, congenial presentation of Rogers & Hammerstein's stage-play, but not as dynamic as Oklahoma!. Still, Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones are perfectly suited for their respective roles. A pleasant 1950's musical.
Super Reviewer
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