Oklahoma! (TCF 1955, Gordon MacRae, Gloria Grahame)

In beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma (their first brought to the screen), an adorable 19-year-old Jones, in her screen debut, must choose a suitor to accompany her to a social, the riotous cowboy (Gordon MacRae) or the brooding farm hand (Rod Steiger). From this simple scenario develops humor, fighting, dancing (including a breakthrough dream sequence choreographed by Agnes De Mille), and singing.

The entire production was filmed twice, with one take for the new Todd A-O format and one for the regular CinemaScope aspect ratio. Includes the enduring songs “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “Oklahoma!” and many more.

Oklahoma! was partially shot on location not in its titular state, but near Nogales, Arizona. The field of corn “as high as an elephant’s eye” was planted there a full year before filming began.

Academy Award Nominations: 4, including Best Cinematography; Best Editing.

production details
USA | Twentieth Century Fox | 145 minutes | 1955

Director: Fred Zinnemann
Script: Sonya Levien,

cast
Eddie Albert as Ali Hakim
Roy Barcroft as Marshal
Rod Steiger as Jud Fry
Gordon MacRae as Curly McLain
Marc Platt as Dancer
Charlotte Greenwood as Aunt Eller
Barbara Lawrence as Gertie
Gloria Grahame as Ado Annie Carnes
Gene Nelson as Will Parker
Shirley Jones as Laurey Williams
James Whitmore as Mr. Carnes
Jay C. Flippen as Skidmore
James Mitchell as Dream Curly / Dancer
Bambi Linn as Dream Laurey / Dancer
Jennie Workman as Dancer
Virginia Bosler as Dancer
Kelly Brown as Dancer
Evelyn Taylor as Dancer
Lizanne Truex as Dancer
Jane Fischer as Dancer