Classic Movie Pick: ‘Oklahoma!’ is a Classic’s Classic!

In honor of National Farmer’s Day, this week’s classic takes us back to the year 1955, to “where the wind comes sweeping down the plain” and where “there’s a bright golden haze on the meadow.” “Oklahoma!” is 70 years old this year.

The show is considered one of the greatest musicals of all time, with memorable hits like “Oklahoma,” “Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” “Kansas City” and “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning.” The story is set around the turn of the century as Oklahoma is on the cusp of becoming a state. As great as the music is, there is also a plot which involves two cowboys, the upstanding handsome Curly, played by Gordon McRae, and the sinister Judd, played by Rod Steiger.

Both men are competing for the affection of Laurey Williams, played by Shirley Jones. This was Jones’ first role on the big screen and a long way from “The Partridge Family.” The ensemble includes a fun cast of talented and energetic characters who can sing and dance. The dialogue is a bit corny, so let’s just focus on some of the amazing singing that takes place in this film from lead actor Gordon McRae.

Female lead Shirley Jones gave a great vocal performance as well.

“Oklahoma!” was first seen on stage in 1943, the first big hit for Rodgers and Hammerstein, and their first musical. Rodgers was the composer, and Hammerstein wrote the lyrics. “Oklahoma!” was considered a groundbreaking production in that it was a marriage of songs, dancing, and dialogue that moved the story forward throughout the entire show, setting a new standard for what was considered a musical play. For Rodgers and Hammerstein, it was the start of possibly the most successful partnership in the history of musical theater and Broadway.

After the success of “Oklahoma!” the two also collaborated on the show “Carousel,” which also starred Gordon McRae and Shirley Jones, as well as “South Pacific,” “State Fair,” and the “Sound of Music.” “Oklahoma!” opened on Broadway in 1943 and ran for over 2,200 performances, a record for a musical at the time. The stage version won a Pulitzer Prize. In case you were wondering, movie budgets could be out of control, even in the 1950s. The total cost of the film was $11,000,000 in 1954 dollars, which in 2020 is the equivalent of $105,952,081.78.

The film was shot primarily in Arizona with some scenes taking place on the backlot at MGM in Los Angeles. Producers decided not to shoot in the actual state of Oklahoma because they said it was too built up in 1955. Scattered oil wells would have disrupted the scenery and aesthetic of the film. 

The production hit a homerun with the cast, particularly with its three leads in McRae, Jones and Steiger. One of the producers saw James Dean audition for Curly and really wanted him, but Rodgers and Hammerstein outvoted him, and the production went with the more straight-laced McRae. As much as they liked Dean’s singing, they felt his voice was just not as strong as McRae’s. Rod Steiger actually did a screen test with Dean and remarked that Dean was a brilliant actor, but he hadn’t quite nailed his technique yet, saying he would be really strong in one scene and then not so much in the next.

Unfortunately, Dean was not around long enough to perfect his technique after a car accident cost him his life in 1955. Other actors that read for the lead role of Curly were Montgomery Clift and Paul Newman.

“Oklahoma!” is a throwback to a simpler time in America with themes that still hold true today. The story is complimented with fun dancing, singing, and great energy, and when you check it out, you will absolutely know why it is a classic. Those of you who might be squeamish, however, should know that this G-rated flick was given a ‘B Rating’ by the National Legion of Decency, calling it morally objectionable in part …but I think you can handle it. 

“Oklahoma!” is this week’s classic pic and you can stream it on Prime, Tubi, or The Roku Channel for free. Happy National Farmer’s Day, everyone!

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join host Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.