Carousel (1956)
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83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
60% of users liked it
(8,978 ratings)
Carousel was adapted from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical of the same name--which, in turn, was based on Liliom, a play by Ferenc Molnar. Gordon MacRae stars as carnival barker Billy Bigelow, who much against his will falls in love with Maine factory girl Julie Jordan (Shirley… More Carousel was adapted from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical of the same name--which, in turn, was based on Liliom, a play by Ferenc Molnar. Gordon MacRae stars as carnival barker Billy Bigelow, who much against his will falls in love with Maine factory girl Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones). Billy proves an improvident and unreliable husband, but Julie stands by him. Upon discovering that Julie is pregnant, the unemployed Billy sees an opportunity for some quick money by joining his unsavory pal Jigger (Cameron Mitchell). The scheme goes awry, and Billy dies. Standing before the Pearly Gates, Billy is given a chance to redeem himself by the kindly Starkeeper (Gene Lockhart). He is allowed to return to Earth to try to brighten the life of his unhappy 15-year-old daughter Louise (Susan Luckey). Billy offers Louise a star that he has stolen from the sky; when Louise backs off in fear, Billy slaps her. He feels like a failure until he and his Heavenly Friend (William LeManessa) attend Louise's school graduation ceremony. There the invisible Billy watches as the principal (Gene Lockhart again) inspires Louise (and, by extension, Julie) by assuring her that so long as she has hope in her heart, she'll never walk alone. Frank Sinatra, the film's original Billy Bigelow, dropped out of the production due to laryngitis. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Henry King
- Written By
- Phoebe Ephron, Henry Ephron
- Genres
- Romance, Classics, Drama, Horror, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Feb 16, 1956 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
The fact that Carousel is Rogers and Hammerstein's least accessible and darkest musical is what makes it so compelling
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Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Carousel on screen is something less, alas.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
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Gordon MacRae
as Billy
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Shirley Jones
as Julie
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Cameron Mitchell
as Jigger
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Barbara Ruick
as Carrie
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Claramae Turner
as Cousin Nettie
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Gene Lockhart
as Starkeeper
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Susan Luckey
as Louise
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Robert Rounseville
as Mr. Snow
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Audrey Christie
as Mrs. Mullin
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John Dehner
as Mr. Bascombs
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Jacques d'Amboise
as Louise's Dancing Partner
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Frank Tweddell
as Capt. Watson
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Tor Johnson
as Strong Man
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Harry Johnson
as Juggler
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Ed Mundy
as Fire Eater
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Angelo Rossitto
as Midget
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Dee Pollock
as Enoch Snow Jr.
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Richard Deacon
as Policeman
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William Le Massena
as Heavenly Friend

