Regular Price $19.98

Starring: Gordon MacRae,  Shirley Jones,  Cameron Mitchell,  Barbara Ruick,  Claramae Turner, 
Directed By: Henry King, 
Rated: Unrated
Release Date: 1956-02-16
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Format: Closed-captioned,  Color,  DVD-Video,  Letterboxed,  THX,  Widescreen,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about Carousel

Amazon.com
Like its immediate predecessor, Oklahoma!, this 1956 screen musical boasted then state-of-the-art widescreen cinematography, stereophonic sound, a starring romantic duo with onscreen chemistry, and the Rodgers & Hammerstein imprimatur. Adding to its promise was a source (the venerable Ferenc Molnar play Liliom) that had already been filmed three times. Yet unlike the original Broadway production, and despite evident craft, Carousel proved a box-office disappointment. Why? Hindsight argues that '50s moviegoers may have been unprepared for its tragic narrative, the sometimes unsympathetic protagonist, and a spiritual subtext addressing life after death.

Whatever the obstacle, Carousel may well be a revelation to first-time viewers. The score is among the composers' most affecting, from the glorious instrumental "Carousel Waltz" to a succession of exquisite love songs ("If I Loved You"), a heart-rending secular hymn ("You'll Never Walk Alone"), and the expectant father's poignant reverie, "Soliloquy." Top-lined stars Shirley Jones (as factory worker Julie Jordan) and Gordon MacRae (as Billy Bigelow, the carnival barker who woos and weds her) achieve greater dramatic urgency here than in the more successful Oklahoma!, with MacRae in particular attaining a personal best as the conflicted Billy, whose anxiety and wounded pride after losing his job are crucial to the plot. It's Billy's impatience to support his new family that drives him to an ill-fated decision that transforms the fable into a ghost story.

Adding to the luster are the coastal Maine locations where 20th Century Fox filmed principal photography. Newly remastered by THX, Carousel looks and sounds better than ever. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews for Carousel

The music lives on
I sing the songs from this movie for days after playing it and truly enjoy having a great DVD copy instead of the old VHS. The quality is excellent and I received it before the expected date.Carousel

Superb restoration--50th Anniversary Edition
This review refers to the '50th Anniversary Edition' of the Rodgers & Hammerstein masterpiece "Carousel", filmed in 1956. Whatever problems that may have existed in previous releases of this great musical have been apparently resolved in this latest (2006) edition. Amazon.com mixes all of the reviews that pertain to different editions (of the same film), so it can be confusing. There are other reviews of "Carousel" from previous editions that are mixed in with the 50th Anniversary Edition reviews--and they complain about the DVD--look at the date of the review--they are referring to a previous release!

The digital restoration of the 50th Anniversary Edition is simply superb! The images literally jump off of the screen. Presented in widescreen, the picture has been enhanced for large screen TVs--so goodbye to that annoying little letterbox image. I watched this movie on a 46-inch Samsung LCD high definition TV, played on a Toshiba 1080p HD DVD player--and the picture and sound are simply stunning! If you had any doubts about purchasing a copy of this in the past--this issue is definitely worth it. Also, if you are interested in the other famous Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals ('Sound of Music', etc.)--they are sold as a 50th Anniversary boxed set--I have the others as well--and all have been expertly restored. Highly recommended!Carousel

A great movie musical, one of the best
This version of "Carousel" received critical acclaim but failed at the box office when it was first released in 1956. After watching it again on this wonderful DVD I understand the mixed reactions. This is a beautiful story, beautifully told with beautiful music but it is dark. Boy is it ever dark! American movie audiences weren't ready for this sort of thing in the `50s but that was their loss.

Despite the movie's Bowdlerization of the story -- Billy Bigelow dies accidentally rather than by his own hand, as the original Broadway show had it - it's still wonderful. It's easy to forget what great voices both Shirley Jones (Julie Jordan) and Gordon McRae (Billy Bigelow) had. McRae's rendering of Soliloquy was both beautiful and deeply movie, and Jones' combination of youth, beauty, and singing talent couldn't have been more appealing.

Equally appealing is the ballet, featuring Susan Luckey as young Louise Bigelow and Jacques D'Amboise as her carnival dancing partner. The choreography was based on the great Agnes De Mille's choreography for the original Broadway procuction.

The film's original 2.55:1 formatting and multi-channel soundtrack have been retained. The whole thing looks and sounds pristine.

Highly recommended!Carousel

Carousel is still a work of art today
I had seen this movie in the late 50's in Philadelphia at an expensive theatre with the lady who later became my wife. It had some really great scenes in it. I recently viewed it again on this DVD with my new lady, a widow. She saw so many similarities showing herself as the young and innocent Julie and her experiences with her deceased husband who clearly resembled Billy in many ways. It was a cathartic experience for her to see this film. As for me, it was a reminder of what I was also seeking back then, someone to love too. It is amazing how artfully Rogers and Hammerstein created a real life metaphysical story from such simple and touching moments. The costumes, scenery and music and words are just beautiful. I recommend the video to everyone who appreciates real love in life.Carousel

Carousel a winning ride
After the film Oklahoma, Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRea team up again to give another solid performance in this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. MacRea, who works on the carousel, falls in love with a small town girl, Jones, and together they sing the many memorable songs in the film.Carousel

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