Carousel

"You'd think a woman with nine children would have more sense."

"If I had more sense I wouldn't have had nine children. "

A musical adaptation of Liliom, this is the darkest Rogers & Hammerstein musical. In a fishing town in Maine, Billy (MacRae) is a Carousel Barker where he meets the young and naive Julie (Jones). She gets him fired (his boss, Mrs. Mullin (Christie) is jealous), and then he returns the favor (and keeps her out past curfew, so she gets fired)...and they realize their in love. They marry, although none of their friends understand the marriage. They are supported (morally and financially) by Julie's cousin Nettie (Turner) who feeds the local fishermen and tries to keep the chaos (of young love) at bay. Helping Nettie is Julie's best friend Carrie (Ruick) who is naive and ditzy. Carrie is engaged to herring boat captain Mr. Snow (Rounseville), and is chased by Jigger (Mitchell) the local holligan/criminal.

Julie's pregnant...money is tight...and temptation is all around...

Carousel is my favorite Rogers & Hammerstein musical, even though it is the darkest. Dealing with difficult topics like spousal abuse and the "hereafter", it is the most profound R&H show. The score is hauntingly beautiful with the romantic ballad "If I Loved You" and the most beautiful song "You'll Never Walk Alone" along with other beautiful songs. While this is the only R&H film to not be nominated for an Academy Award, you will not soon forget this film. Yes its dark. Yes you will cry...but you won't forget the score (and you shouldn't...I also own this soundtrack and dvd).

Carousel (1956) 128 minutes
Director: Henry King

Based on the stageplay by Rogers & Hammerstein

Starring: Gordon MacRae as Billy Bigelow

Shirley Jones as Julie Jordan

Cameron Mitchell as Jigger Craigin

Barbara Ruick as Carrie Pipperidge

Claramae Turner as Cousin Nettie

Robert Rounseville as Enoch Snow

Gene Lockhart as the Starkeeper/Dr. Selden

Audrey Christie as Mrs. Mullin