The King and I (1956) 7.4
Musical about a widow who accepts a job as a live-in governess of the King of Siam's children. Director:Walter Lang |
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The King and I (1956) 7.4
Musical about a widow who accepts a job as a live-in governess of the King of Siam's children. Director:Walter Lang |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Deborah Kerr | ... | ||
| Yul Brynner | ... | ||
| Rita Moreno | ... | ||
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Martin Benson | ... | |
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Terry Saunders | ... | |
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Rex Thompson | ... | |
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Carlos Rivas | ... |
Lun Tha
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Patrick Adiarte | ... | |
| Alan Mowbray | ... |
Sir John Hay
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Geoffrey Toone | ... | |
Mrs. Anna Leonowens and her son Louis arrive in Bangkok, where she has contracted to teach English to the children of the royal household. She threatens to leave when the house she had been promised is not available, but falls in love with the children. A new slave, a gift of a vassal king, translates "Uncle Tom's Cabin" into a Siamese ballet, expressing her unhappiness at being with the King. She attempts to escape with her lover. Anna and the King fall in love, but her British upbringing inhibits her from joining his harem. She is just about to leave Siam when she hears of the King's imminent death, and returns to help his son, her favorite pupil, rule his people. Written by Randy Goldberg <goldberg@nymc.edu>
Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner lit up the screen with this 1956 great film as English teacher, Anna, who takes a position as tutor to the king of Siam's children and along the way finds adventure and love, be it ever so brief.
A widow, accompanied by her son, around the time of the American Civil War, Anna soon finds cultural differences exist to a great deal between the two societies.
Yul Brynner, as the king, does a magnificent job depicting those differences.
The music and dancing are enchanting though Marnie Nixon sings for Miss Kerr.
Look for brief appearances by Rita Moreno as a young lover caught among the kingdoms social mores.
" Getting to Know You," a lovely tuneful song sets the mood for this charming, romantic, endearing film. Great picture for children as well. Be brave young lovers, so eloquently done, in a masterful production producing yet another Oscar losing nomination for Deborah Kerr. 1956 was a big year for Brynner. Besides this great film, where he received the best actor Oscar, he also appeared in "The Ten Commandments," and "Anastasia."