Step right up and witness a classic tale of love, loss, and redemption, beautifully preserved in high definition.
Overview
Carousel is a 1956 American dramatic fantasy musical film, based on the highly acclaimed 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical of the same name. The musical itself was an adaptation of Ferenc Molnár's 1909 non-musical play, Liliom. Directed by Henry King, the film stars Gordon MacRae as the charismatic but troubled carousel barker Billy Bigelow, and Shirley Jones as the gentle mill worker Julie Jordan.
The story unfolds with Billy and Julie falling in love and marrying, leading to both losing their jobs. When Julie becomes pregnant, Billy, desperate to provide, attempts a robbery that ends tragically in his death. From heaven, Billy is granted one day to return to Earth and make amends, particularly to his now teenage daughter, Louise. The film is celebrated for its powerful score and poignant exploration of complex relationships and difficult themes.
Background
Filming for Carousel took place in picturesque locations across coastal Maine, including Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Newcastle, and Augusta, capturing the authentic New England setting. Additional scenes were shot at Paradise Cove in Malibu, California, and at the 20th Century-Fox studios. The movie utilized CinemaScope 55, an innovative large-screen process developed by 20th Century-Fox, though it was primarily exhibited in regular 35mm CinemaScope.
Initially, Frank Sinatra was cast in the leading role of Billy Bigelow, but he famously walked off the set shortly after filming began. This was reportedly due to the production's decision to shoot each scene twice—once in CinemaScope 55 and again in standard 35mm as a precautionary measure—which Sinatra felt was like making two films. Gordon MacRae was subsequently brought in as his replacement.
Why It Matters
Carousel stands as one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most emotionally complex and serious musicals, tackling challenging themes such as domestic abuse, irresponsibility, and redemption within its musical framework. This bold narrative choice distinguished it from many contemporary musicals and contributes to its enduring legacy. Both star Shirley Jones and composer Richard Rodgers reportedly considered Carousel their favorite of all the Rodgers & Hammerstein scores.
Beyond its thematic depth, the film is also significant for its pioneering use of CinemaScope 55, an early widescreen format that aimed to deliver superior visual clarity to audiences. The on-location shooting in Maine not only lent authenticity to the film's New England setting but also significantly boosted tourism for locales like Boothbay Harbor. Its blend of stunning cinematography, memorable songs, and a powerful story solidifies its place as a classic of the musical genre.
Fun Facts
- Frank Sinatra was originally slated to play Billy Bigelow but quit the production due to the requirement to film each scene twice for different camera formats.
- Legendary actress Judy Garland was considered for the role of Julie Jordan but was ultimately passed over.
- Two songs from the original stage musical, "You're A Queer One, Julie Jordan" and "Blow High, Blow Low," were recorded for the film but were ultimately cut from the final release. However, they are included on the soundtrack album.
- Barbara Ruick, who played Carrie Pipperidge in the film, later married the renowned composer John Williams.
- The 1080p Blu-ray release of Carousel includes special features such as an audio commentary by Shirley Jones and Nick Redman, an isolated score, a "Sing-Along" option, and a presentation of Fritz Lang's 1934 film Liliom, the original source play's earlier adaptation.