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Reviews
Carmen Jones (1954)
A ground-breaking Carmen
I grew up listening to the soundtrack of Carmen Jones as the film (and, in particular, Dorothy Dandridge!) were among my Dad's favourites. Now whenever I hear the Toreador's Song I break into Stand Up and Fight!
Although it is many years since I last saw this movie, it is on my "must have" list based on the wonderful musical score, the charismatic leads, and its importance as a vehicle for Black American talent at a time when racial discrimination was rife. Halle Berry's Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actress in Monster's Ball reminded me of just how far we have come and how long it has taken to reach this stage of the journey!
If you haven't yet seen Carmen Jones - take the time to view this milestone in American cinema history - you won't be disappointed.
Oklahoma! (1955)
Nostalgia at its best!
I was born the year this show first appeared on Broadway, saw the movie when it was first released, and have seen it often in the intervening years. It has never failed to delight. The music is classic Rogers & Hammerstein, the singing, dancing and acting are spot on, the film looks and sounds great, and it leaves you feeling elated and humming the tunes for hours afterwards - all the ingredients of a musical classic! I give this 9/10.
And you may like to know the Hugh Jackman starred in an Australian stage version of Oklahoma that was filmed for TV. It was a wonderful production and I have to say that Hugh (as Curly) certainly has tons more sex appeal than Gordon McRae!