The King and I
US (1956): Musical/Comedy/Drama
The third Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway hit to go before the cameras, The King and I boasts a career-making performance from Yul Brynner, repeating his stage triumph as the titular monarch and proving to moviegoers that bald can be beautiful. It's Brynner's proud king that provides the fulcrum to the plot, and it's Brynner himself, with his piercing gaze and graceful physicality, that demands our attention.
The story line, adapted Margaret Landon's book Anna and the King of Siam, follows widowed English teacher Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr) to her new posting as tutor to the Siamese king's formidable mob of children. The collision of East and West affords its winning mixture of drama and humor, and the warm friendship that grows between the king and the patrician teacher provides a poignant, unfulfilled romance between the two wary protagonists. Into this framework, the composers insert a superb score, echoing Asian motifs, as well as a bouquet of lovely songs including "Hello, Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance," and two ensemble pieces for Anna and the royal children ("Getting to Know You" and "I Whistle a Happy Tune") that suggest prototypes for Rodgers & Hammerstein's later hit, The Sound of Music (1965). Cast also features Rita Moreno, Martin Benson, Terry Saunders, Carlos Rivas and Patrick Adiarte. Walter Lang directs a 20th Century Fox production lavished stereophonic sound, widescreen cinematography, intricate production design, and stunning sets. (Sam Sutherland, Amazon.com)
9 nominations, 5 Awards
· Actor 1956: Yul Brynner
· Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1956: Lyle Wheeler & John De Cuir - Art Direction, Walter M. Scott & Paul S. Fox - Set Decoration
· Costume Design (Color) 1956: Irene Sharaff
· Music Scoring Awards (Scoring of a Musical Picture) 1956: Alfred Newman, Ken Darby
· Sound Recording 1956: Carl Faulkner (20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department)
· Best Picture 1956: Charles Brackett - Producer (20th Century-Fox)
· Actress 1956: Deborah Kerr
· Directing 1956: Walter Lang
· Cinematography (Color) 1956: Leon Shamroy