Anna and the King of Siam (1946)

In 1862, a young Englishwoman becomes royal tutor in Siam and befriends the King.

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Talbot Jennings (screenplay), Sally Benson (screenplay)

Stars:

Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell

Won 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Irene Dunne	...	Anna Owens
Rex Harrison	...	King Mongkut
Linda Darnell	...	Tuptim
Lee J. Cobb	...	Kralahome
Gale Sondergaard	...	Lady Thiang
Mikhail Rasumny	...	Alak
Dennis Hoey	...	Sir Edward
Tito Renaldo	...	Prince Chulalongkorn - as a Boy
Richard Lyon	...	Louis Owens

Storyline

In 1862, young English widow Anna Owens accepts the job of teaching the royal children of Siam. On her arrival in Bangkok, culture clash is immediate. The king respects Anna for standing up to him, though this appalls his courtiers. In due course, she becomes the king's confidant and diplomatic advisor; their relationship endures through many trials.

---

Plot Keywords:

king | siam | royal tutor | thailand | 19th century | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 August 1946 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ana y el rey de Siam

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on January 20, 1947 with Rex Harrison and Irene Dunne reprising their film roles.

---

Goofs

In order to remind the King about his promise to give Anna a house of her own (to which the King continually refuses to honour) she leaves many reminders about his broken promise around the palace, in particular an English china cottage which has "made in England" on the underside and the inscription over the door of the cottage "Honor Thy Promise". In 1868 England (as today), 'honour' was not spelt "honor". Minor error, but a spelling mistake non-the-less.

---

Quotes

Anna Owens: [Anna, thinking the king is a barbarian, is about to leave. The Kralahome has had her brought to his office at night to reason with her. She is outraged] How dare you treat me in this manner. I demand an explanation, and I warn you...
Kralahome: [Calmly] Be quiet, sir.
Anna Owens: ...that I'm a British subject.
Kralahome: That is nor reason you are safe. I could have you killed if that would serve my purpose. Such things are simple here.
[Walks across room]
Kralahome: Sir, did you enjoy your triumph about your house? Because you shall now ...
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in Myra Breckinridge (1970)

---

Soundtracks

Home Sweet Home
(1823) (uncredited)
from "Clari, The Maid of Milan"
Music by H.R. Bishop
Lyrics by John Howard Payne
Sung by the King's children and played often in the score
Sung a cappella a bit by Mikhail Rasumny

User Reviews

Elegantly produced,superbly acted.Ij

In reading the comments about "Anna and the King of Siam,"I was especially drawn to the harsh political commentaries by your reviewers.When I was saw the film in the summer of 1946,the war was over only eleven months,and I was feeling generally upbeat.Consequently,watching this film,I felt upbeat about it,too.I thought then,and I still do(seeing it on tv),that it was a beautifully produced picture.One thing I noted at the time of its release,was that movie reviewers universally criticized Twentieth Century-Fox for not filming it in Technicolor.(Fox didn't repeat their mistake in their musical production with Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr.)Their 1946 film garnered the Oscars for black and white cinematography, and black and white art direction, and interior decoration.(Costume design nominations didn't arrive until 1948--"Hamlet,"b&w,and "Joan of Arc,"color,won).If costume design had been a factor in 1946, I'm dead sure "Anna and the King of Siam" would have been a shoo-in.The musical version in 1956 did get the prize.Irene Dunne had a spate of fine film from 1936 to 1948,and this was leader among them.I can't imagine another actor living in 1946 playing the king.(Mr.Brynner appeared on the scene in the stage production around 1950.After that,he went to Hollywood).Gale Sondergaard received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.John Cromwell's direction was as artful as his work with "Since You Went Away."in 1944.For this film:A rating of A.