I've lost count of the number of times I've watched this. Not only is each and every "main" dancer fantastic to watch, but also the characters in the background add so much to the overall picture and, in some cases, little touches of humor - for example, from the very beginning of the scene there are two workers (stationmaster and conductor, maybe?) talking in the background; people standing around the station (like the kid leaning against the post - 1:18); and the cowboy in the background rides a horse past the group, (starting around 2:12). and, my favorite, the cowboy who releases Will's horse, then falls over (5:45) Absolutely BRILLIANT scene!
He did direct many TV shows, and a couple of movies. It's not well known, but he was my uncle, by marriage, and we were very close. He was a great man, and a greater role model. Rest in peace, G!❤
Those two girls in blue were originally only supposed to appear in this scene, but the director liked their acting so much he featured them throughout the film. I'm glad he did.
I know nothing more than this 6.06 minutes of video makes me smile & feel like everything will be OK for a while. I wish I had known Gene Nelson.......
I'm jealous! I've seen a couple interviews with Mr. Nelson and I'm sure I would have enjoyed knowing him, not only to hear his stories but also because he just seemed like a very down-to-earth, good man. You're very lucky!
One of the many stand-alone performances from possibly the best translation of a Broadway play to celluloid - and a national treasure in both media. Thanks!
Oklahoma was the genesis of the modern American Broadway musical. It had a musical score that was an instrumental part of the story. A truly innovative show.
Outstanding incrediblle historical performance EVER by a rare artist ! No words. Merci beaucoup. Incrediblle historical archive in 70 millimeters TechniColor and StereoPhonic Soundtrack !
This dance is longer in the movie than in the stage show. No dubbing was done for the singing. Kudos to the director for doing what was probably never done in any other musical.
I think I'd have to dispute that. All the classic musicals, orchestra and vocals, were recorded in advance. Not to mention that outdoors without an acoustic you couldn't have recorded singers to the necessary quality.
@@t.p.mckenna You misunderstood me. When I said 'no dubbing' I meant that all the cast did their own singing. Rod Steiger and Gloria Grahame did their own singing. I've seen other musicals where Gene Nelson's singing was done by someone else. In "Oklahoma", he did his own. I know that most dialog is dubbed by the actors to get clarity.
@@joep8787 Oh, I do apologise. I get you now, Joe. Gene N comes across as an excellent character singer. I know his voice well from the original cast album of Sondheim's 'Follies'.
@@t.p.mckenna Gene's voice was dubbed in "Lullaby Of Broadway" with Doris Day, but I thought his singing voice was good, though no where near the level of Gordon MacRae. As a dancer, I thought he was as good as Gene Kelly. I don't think even Gene Kelly could have matched the athleticism Nelson displayed in his incredible gymnasium dance in "She's Working Her Way Through College". With regards to casting a non singing actor and dubbing someone else's voice, Hollywood has often done that and I hate the practice. Some awful examples include casting trained singer Ann Blyth to star in "The Helen Morgan Story" and then dubbing Gogi Grant's voice instead of letting Blyth do her own singing! When the musical "Camelot" was made into a movie, they passed on Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet who had starred in the Broadway version and in my opinion were still young enough to repeat their roles and cast non singers with dubbed voices except for Richard Harris.
Not a lot of people realize this, but Gene Nelson there was a prolific TV director, helming episodes of "I Dream of Jeannie," "The Mod Squad," "The Rifleman," "The Donna Reed Show," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Gilligan's Island" and "Star Trek," among others.
His talent was monumental, along with so many others who created this classic picture. I can't think of anyone that talented, and at the same time, that unappreciated, as Gene Nelson. I've loved this song since I listened to it as a 5 year-old, while my mother ironed, and I still can't get over what a fabulous set piece this number is. And the whole thing was done in 10 shots.
Aunty is the best ever from Hollywood history in 70 millimeters history no words! Merci beaucoup for this outstanding rare remastered rendition rendez-vous in 70 millimeters 6 soundtracks tracks! An incomparable incontournable classique! Emmanuel from Paris France
Aunty is the best ever no way in discovering NEW life ever! BRAVO FOR this new copy in 70 millimeters stereophonic sound, a must NO way! BRAVO FOR this incredible historical rendition rendez-vous! MERCI my american friends NO way, this fresh copy is outstanding in stereophonic sound,TECHNICOLOR and wide screen.Emmanuel from Paris France
Damn. I realize it's been 50 years since I saw this beautiful movie....but I don't remember this wonderful number at all! I have to watch the whole thing over again.
The most ever outstanding show ever in 70 millimeters gauge and stereophonic soundtrack and TechniCOLOR print for Hollywood History ever! Merci beaucoup for this outstanding stereophonic all COLORS and Soundtrack rendering remastered rendition rendez vous ever! What a performance! Merci beaucoup from Paris France in 10th november 2019! BRAVO!!!
Just imagine having all those skills, dancing, and lasso tricks, and singing for the camera...and to get it all on film! Really captured Gene Nelson at his peak!
@@ras-chd No, he wasn't in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The main dancers in that film were Russ Tamblyn and Tommy Rall. If Gene had been in that film, he would have stolen it, much as he did in Oklahoma.
A movie qui a 50 ans d'avance, a very movie 50 years ahead, I'm french and I DO appreciate that incredible FILM, a masterpiece of course. Emmanuel from Paris
And She's Working Her Way Through College, She's Back on Broadway, Tea For Two, So This is Paris, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now, The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady, Three Sailors and a Girl, Shangri-la (Tv movie from 1960), Painting the Clouds With Sunshine, and assorted Tv specials.
Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote the part of Aunt Eller with Charlotte Greenwood in mind, but film commitments kept her from being in the original Broadway production. I think she's the best thing in the film.
there's a 30 minute Gunsmoke episode where he and two other fellows are wanted in connection with killing a native American woman and Dillon has to try to figure out which one of them did it. Gene Nelson also did a lot of directing.
This had to take a week or so to get right, I mean it's amazing. If you watch right after he breaks the box, look how there's no cut in the footage, even up through the girl kicking his hat off and then all the guys dancing, the whole thing filmed in the same take. Crazy talent on everyone involved to choreograph that so well that you can get it in the same cut.
Aunt Eller/Charlotte Greenwood was known in her younger years for being a very flexible dancer capable of extremely high kicks with her long legs. It was said she was the only woman who could kick a giraffe in the eye. There are moments in Oklahoma where you can catch a glimpse of her former abilities. Love her portrayal of the spicy old lady.
Wikipedia: Gene Nelson (1920-1996) was inspired to become a dancer during his childhood by watching Fred Astaire in films. After serving in the Army during World War II, during which he also performed in the musical 'This Is the Army,' Nelson landed his first Broadway role in 'Lend an Ear.' His performance earned a Theatre World Award. He also appeared onstage in 'Good News.' Nelson's longtime professional dance partner during the 1950s was actress JoAnn Dean Killingsworth. After films he became a screenwriter and director and directed many TV shows.
I’ve never seen this film, but the National Theatre’s stage version on video, did it locally years ago too and love the music, the staging of this is so good right to the end, so much fun.
How true that is Fred. Some of the so called "Stars" of today would not even get in the chorus line of these old movies, these people could dance, sing play instruments use a lassoo as a prop and still did not get Star Billing, I am an 85 year old guy, and I will never tire of watching and re-watching these old clips.
Gene Nelson was my uncle, by marriage to his 2nd wife, and my great aunt, Marilyn Morgan. They divorced in the mid '70s, but remained good friends. I have a few things that "Uncle G", wore/used in the movie: the lasso that he used in the dance scene Kansas City ( one of my most prized posessions, because he taught me how to use it, and introduced me to Johnny Crawford from The Rifleman, who also gave me a few lessons with it ). Also, a shirt that he wore in one of the scenes with Eddie Albert and Gloria Grahame , and 2 hats; one that he wore, and one that Gordon MacRae wore for a promotional photo shoot for the movie ( I don't know if Gordon MacRae wore it in the movie ). A few other things, too. I remember Uncle G as a kind and humble man, with the patience of a saint while teaching me some dance moves. They weren't what I would call close friends , but he did maintain a friendship with Gloria Grahame and Eddie Albert. He brought me along on a quasi reunion of sorts, of friends/acquaintances that he maintained over the years, of a handful of cast members. Shirley Jones is most memorable, because I later developed a massive crush on her, and had asked my uncle to introduce me to her. He finally obliged in '73 or '74, when he was on the set of a show called "The Partridge Family", where I met and smoked a joint with David Cassidy. I wasn't with my uncle that time, but had been invited to attend, by a set designer for the show...( crazy world! ). More on that at another time. I went with him several times to the movie "Kissing Cousins" with Elvis Presley, that he was directing. Also to an episode of The Rifleman ( I forget which episode ), and I Dream Of Jeanie. But, the Just one example of how generous Uncle G was, is how, even after the divorce of he and my aunt, he and i remained very close, to the day that he passed away from a very cruel cancer. I could tell so much more. I thought about writing a book on my experiences, but I doubt that anyone would be interested. Maybe one day before I'm a senile old man. Suffice it to say, that I loved my "Uncle G", who died in the mid 1990s, and I loved him very, very much. Thank you for indulging an old man's ( I'm 72 ) strole down memory lane!❤️
Thank you so much for sharing these remembrances of your uncle. I've always thought he was the absolute best of the film dancers of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s...better than all the rest. It's good to hear that he was also a nice person.
I've always loved Gene Nelson and can't understand why his talents weren't highlighted more often. Thanks for sharing your memories. I enjoyed reading them.
In case anybody is interested, this scene was shot here: 31°39'38.3"N 110°31'29.7"W Go to Google street view and look at the mountains in the background. Compare with those in the movie, they match. It seems that you can see the RR grade south of the area from the satellite view. The tracks are gone, and the station house has either been demolished or completely renovated.
@@t.p.mckenna No doubt. I am always kind of fascinated when movies are shot at locations out of the studio. It's interesting to see how things change over time and what Hollywood did to make a scene work.
@@georgesealy4706 I just saw this tantalising home movie from the shooting of OK. Very brief. Biggest problem seemed to be the heat. ruclips.net/video/EY16GkVVIP8/видео.html
“Of course, they don’t do it alone. COME ON, AUNT ELLER!!!” That part is hilarious.
3 года назад
You are witnessing a timeless performance by Gene Nelson, still as beautiful in song, dance and spirit as it was when filmed so many decades ago. Oklahoma is better than O-K by me.
Much credit should be given to the director, Fred Zinnemann. I think this was the only musical he ever directed, and it's a masterpiece. Hard to believe this was the same man who directed such dark dramas as "Act Of Violence", "The Men", "High Noon", "From Here To Eternity" and "Day Of The Jackal". He filmed these singers and dancers to their best advantage as if he'd been doing it all his life. I wonder how he of all directors, was chosen for this movie instead of a director who'd done a musical before?
Melissa Chapman I didn't. That is until I got to know him. For his family's sake, I'll leave it at that, except to say, I'm always surprised by posts like yours. He wasn't Gene Kelly, yet so many women, and some men too loved this man. It truly warms my heart.
As gay teen in the 80s I found Will sexy in a sweet and awkwardly charming way. Then Gene being a fantastic dancer helped- talented me always got me going.
@@suburbanbeatnik If you watch some of the other musical films he did like Tea for Two and Lullaby of Broadway and Painting the Clouds with Sunshine, he was hot in those films in an elegant, drop dead gorgeous way.
Charlotte Greenwood was 6' tall her particular claim to fame was that she could kick her leg up over her head. She does it in several movies, just not this one.
In the original show, Will Parker sings, "But, later in the second act when she begun to peel, she proved that everything she had was absolutely real." Hollywood really loused up some of the best Broadway lyrics by its policy of having to "sanitize" them for the film adaptations of these Broadway shows, thereby taking away a lot of the song's original appeal.
One of my best friends is playing Will in our musical, and I crack up because he turns bright red when he sings this. He's so shy, I love watching him sing this! I love you bud!!!
+MrManorAvenue It was not Hollywood's doing. The movie industry was subjected through the late 1960s to the strict moral guidelines that the Hays Office's Motion Picture Production Code established 30 years earlier. I recall the early controversy that Otto Preminger's 'The Moon is Blue' brought on in 1953. It affected also the screen versions of 'God's Little Acre'; 'Baby Doll'; 'Lolita'; 'Sweet Bird of Youth; 'Suddenly Last Summer'; 'Walk on the Wild Side'; 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'; 'Reflections in a Golden Eye,' etc. Screenwriters and moviemakers had to be creative and, as can be seen from the above, were successful for the most part.
Excellent point. I hadn't taken into consideration the Hays Code. In the cases though where Hollywood cut songs entirely from the film version of any show, it seems to me it was either because the songs might have been more geared towards sophisticated Broadway audiences and might have thus gone over the heads of the "average dunderhead." Or, the song might have offended people in a different manner. One such example is my belief that Warner Bros. cut "A New Town Is A Blue Town" from the film version of The Pajama Game for fear the song would offend all of the people in all of those "one horse, two bit, hick" towns to which the song makes snide reference.
Are there two versions of this dance number, on you tube. I am watching both and in other version about 3:26 nelson jumps on box and falls thru then steps out...In the this version he only lands one foot in off balance and the girl in blue catches him and he steps out of box. ?
Each scene needed to be shot twice - one for the 70mm Todd AO release prints (220:1 ratio) and the other for 35mm CinemaScope release prints for general widespread release (255:1 ratio). The version in which both Gene Nelson's feet go through the box is from the 35mm print. Todd AO 70mm was also developed specifically for the bringing Okalahoma to the screen and was a premium viewing experience in only a handful of theatres in larger cities and featured 6 track high fidelity sound and far better image quality than 35mm which generally only offered mono sound (there were 4 track prints at limited theatres equipped for this). R + H weren't happy after Fox demonstrated their new 35mm CinemaScope process that initially had issues with distortion eventually rectified to a large degree. Mike Todd (husband of Elizabeth Taylor) heard about this and spear headed the development of Todd AO knowing a release of Oklahoma would guarantee success as everyone in Hollywood was eager to bring it to the screen. It was a gamble that paid off.
Oklahoma! is a superb example of how a film adaptation of a stage musical should be done. For one thing, they add elements you could never get away with on stage, like having Gene dance on a moving train.
My husband and I use meme style references based on this movie around the house to this day. And it's still as relevant as ever. " I'm just a girl who cain't say no" "They've gone just about as far as they can go!"ect.
This is the first time that I've seen this particular video and I was surprised that the box collapsed when Will's foot hit it. There are other takes of this scene which don't show that. Sorry if everyone knew this before, but it's new to me.
This is the 2nd version of Oklahoma. They made 2 different movies at same time. You notice in this one when he jumped on the crate version 1 his both legs go into the crate. 2nd version he messed up and 1 leg in and one leg out.
I'm glad you confirmed that as I thought it was the second version. The other take is much tighter. It was why Sinatra walked off Carousel when he realised they'd be shooting the movie twice.
Such a great number, probably my favorite from too many good choices in this movie/musical. Worth noting there is some interesting trivia about the jumps the two schoolgirl actresses did at the end, the SAG union rep (if it was still called SAG then) stepped in right before shooting and insisted on $500 per jump bumps for both actresses, which was tremendous in 1955 dollars (and is pretty good now -- believe me, I did a non-union stunt in the 90s on a gig and got paid way less). It's worth pointing out the stunts both ladies did are actually pretty impressive for folks that don't normally do stunts, dancers or not -- that's a long jump, and the one that did the feet-first jump -- that was definitely the hardest one to do, dunno if I could have done that (and they would have needed a weightlifter or two guys to catch me, lol).
I've lost count of the number of times I've watched this. Not only is each and every "main" dancer fantastic to watch, but also the characters in the background add so much to the overall picture and, in some cases, little touches of humor - for example, from the very beginning of the scene there are two workers (stationmaster and conductor, maybe?) talking in the background; people standing around the station (like the kid leaning against the post - 1:18); and the cowboy in the background rides a horse past the group, (starting around 2:12). and, my favorite, the cowboy who releases Will's horse, then falls over (5:45)
Absolutely BRILLIANT scene!
What a terrific performer Gene Nelson was! He deserved more recognition than he got.
Totally agree
He was the best; Astaire's elegance and grace combined with Kelly's athleticism and ballet training, and he was better than either one of them.
He was fabulous
A movie star....what more do you want?😁
He did direct many TV shows, and a couple of movies. It's not well known, but he was my uncle, by marriage, and we were very close. He was a great man, and a greater role model. Rest in peace, G!❤
He is an insane gymnast and dancer. I didn’t realize his gymnastic abilities for a long time.
Gene Nelson’s performance was pure gold! 👏🏻
Those two girls in blue were originally only supposed to appear in this scene, but the director liked their acting so much he featured them throughout the film. I'm glad he did.
They must have inspired the 2 girls in "The Shining." LOL
Their names are Lena Lea and Pearl, at least in the production I did
Ū
@@anniplenge1200 Lizanne Treux (blonde) and Jane Fischer.
Just magnificently performed and filmed. A mini-masterpiece, and the best scene in the movie. Gene Nelson was fantastic.
Well, afterall it's Rogers and Hammerstein -- yeaah
Oklahoma! My daughter and I watched this many times . We never tired of the songs.
I was a little Puerto RIcan kid growing up in Chicago when I saw this on TV . . . and I instantly wanted to be Will Parker.
Are you still dancing Carlos?!? Where are you now? Xx
I never get tired of this number. Brilliant. Seen this over 2 dozen times
I hate when I get caught up in whatever I'm doing and suddenly realize I'm now on a moving train.
Happened to me the other day, damn it!
😂😂😂😂😂
It will all be okay as long as you have a horse who is smarter than you are. Luckily she was paying attention.
I know nothing more than this 6.06 minutes of video makes me smile & feel like everything will be OK for a while. I wish I had known Gene Nelson.......
BobCarp1947 I did. He would have made you smile even more when you were with him.
I'm jealous! I've seen a couple interviews with Mr. Nelson and I'm sure I would have enjoyed knowing him, not only to hear his stories but also because he just seemed like a very down-to-earth, good man. You're very lucky!
@@stevegodwin6416 I can only echo your comments.
I never get tired of seeing this clip. Makes me smile everytime. Thanks for posting!
One of the many stand-alone performances from possibly the best translation of a Broadway play to celluloid - and a national treasure in both media. Thanks!
5:27 I love that Will Parker is so wrapped up in his song & dance routine, he doesn't even realize he's on a moving train.
Oklahoma was the genesis of the modern American Broadway musical. It had a musical score that was an instrumental part of the story. A truly innovative show.
Years latter I find that so hard to believe still! And yet Cinderella was my first glimpse of R+H’s genius as a kid
One off my all time favourite tap routine..the rhythm is so cool
Fantastic dancer. Athletic. Talented. The lariat and the horse. Amazing.
Only Rogers and Hammerstein could imagine cowboys tap dancing.;-)
Actually it was Agnes DeMille.
😂😂😂
I had a huge crush on Gene Nelson as a girl. I didn't realize he passed away before my time.
Movies keep folks alive in our hearts.
Same!
Outstanding incrediblle historical performance EVER by a rare artist ! No words. Merci beaucoup. Incrediblle historical archive in 70 millimeters TechniColor and StereoPhonic Soundtrack !
The best ever in CinemaScope, Stereophonic soundtrack and TechniColor print, how amazing! Merci beaucoup from Paris France in june 2020. Emmanuel
This is the Todd AO version. The crate breaks under both feet in the Cinemascope version.
I love this scene. Terrific dancing and stunts.
This dance is longer in the movie than in the stage show. No dubbing was done for the singing. Kudos to the director for doing what was probably never done in any other musical.
I think I'd have to dispute that. All the classic musicals, orchestra and vocals, were recorded in advance. Not to mention that outdoors without an acoustic you couldn't have recorded singers to the necessary quality.
@@t.p.mckenna You misunderstood me. When I said 'no dubbing' I meant that all the cast did their own singing. Rod Steiger and Gloria Grahame did their own singing. I've seen other musicals where Gene Nelson's singing was done by someone else. In "Oklahoma", he did his own. I know that most dialog is dubbed by the actors to get clarity.
@@joep8787 Oh, I do apologise. I get you now, Joe. Gene N comes across as an excellent character singer. I know his voice well from the original cast album of Sondheim's 'Follies'.
@@t.p.mckenna Gene's voice was dubbed in "Lullaby Of Broadway" with Doris Day, but I thought his singing voice was good, though no where near the level of Gordon MacRae. As a dancer, I thought he was as good as Gene Kelly. I don't think even Gene Kelly could have matched the athleticism Nelson displayed in his incredible gymnasium dance in "She's Working Her Way Through College". With regards to casting a non singing actor and dubbing someone else's voice, Hollywood has often done that and I hate the practice. Some awful examples include casting trained singer Ann Blyth to star in "The Helen Morgan Story" and then dubbing Gogi Grant's voice instead of letting Blyth do her own singing! When the musical "Camelot" was made into a movie, they passed on Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet who had starred in the Broadway version and in my opinion were still young enough to repeat their roles and cast non singers with dubbed voices except for Richard Harris.
Totally marvelous.
In many ways more rewarding than what you see today.
These actors are magnificent!
Got to love the choreography of this peace.
Not a lot of people realize this, but Gene Nelson there was a prolific TV director, helming episodes of "I Dream of Jeannie," "The Mod Squad," "The Rifleman," "The Donna Reed Show," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Gilligan's Island" and "Star Trek," among others.
His talent was monumental, along with so many others who created this classic picture. I can't think of anyone that talented, and at the same time, that unappreciated, as Gene Nelson. I've loved this song since I listened to it as a 5 year-old, while my mother ironed, and I still can't get over what a fabulous set piece this number is. And the whole thing was done in 10 shots.
Aunty is the best ever from Hollywood history in 70 millimeters history no words! Merci beaucoup for this outstanding rare remastered rendition rendez-vous in 70 millimeters 6 soundtracks tracks! An incomparable incontournable classique! Emmanuel from Paris France
Aunty is the best ever no way in discovering NEW life ever! BRAVO FOR this new copy in 70 millimeters stereophonic sound, a must NO way! BRAVO FOR this incredible historical rendition rendez-vous! MERCI my american friends NO way, this fresh copy is outstanding in stereophonic sound,TECHNICOLOR and wide screen.Emmanuel from Paris France
CLASSIC WONDERFUL SONG AND THE DANCING WOW !!! LOVE IT.
I love this dance scene ,especially starting at 4:18 when men start hollering while dancing! Just love it!!
That's a regularc"hoofer" thing to do when they are really getting it & just really having incredible fun!
I got to play Will in my school's 2008 production of Oklahoma and man I loved it.
Damn. I realize it's been 50 years since I saw this beautiful movie....but I don't remember this wonderful number at all! I have to watch the whole thing over again.
I envy you. You'll dig it, I assure you. Sublime film.
The most ever outstanding show ever in 70 millimeters gauge and stereophonic soundtrack and TechniCOLOR print for Hollywood History ever! Merci beaucoup for this outstanding stereophonic all COLORS and Soundtrack rendering remastered rendition rendez vous ever! What a performance! Merci beaucoup from Paris France in 10th november 2019! BRAVO!!!
Rogers and Hammerstein! So good!
My school is doing this show and I’m playing Will Parker
put it on youtube
What a performance! I cannot think of any current actors that can do this today, what talent.
Rest in peace, Gene Nelson. You were terrific as Will Parker.
I love Gordon and Shirley but when I saw this movie as a teen I fell head over heels for Gene Nelson❤
My favorite song from this movie. The late Gene Nelson is spectacular.
One thing to sing and dance, quite another to incorporate a rope, a horse and a moving train. Who has that talent in 2019?
Gene Nelson did all of it except the jump from the train onto the back of a horse. That stunt was done by actor and stuntman, Ben Johnson.
They don’t make em like they used too
Well. Nobody. 😊they can’t make proper movies now. They’re too woke and dumb.
The trifecta. But, slinging that rope right into the camera was the icing on the cake. Exactly. Who does this in 2023?
Computers.
Just imagine having all those skills, dancing, and lasso tricks, and singing for the camera...and to get it all on film! Really captured Gene Nelson at his peak!
Was he also in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers ?
@@ras-chd No, he wasn't in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The main dancers in that film were Russ Tamblyn and Tommy Rall. If Gene had been in that film, he would have stolen it, much as he did in Oklahoma.
Gotta respect how talented they are and how much time these actors put into it. Really dope
Thanks to Rodgers and Hammersteimers of course! Merci beaucoup!
A movie qui a 50 ans d'avance, a very movie 50 years ahead, I'm french and I DO appreciate that incredible FILM, a masterpiece of course. Emmanuel from Paris
For more of Gene Nelson's terrific dancing see "Lullaby of Broadway"
And She's Working Her Way Through College, She's Back on Broadway, Tea For Two, So This is Paris, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now, The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady, Three Sailors and a Girl, Shangri-la (Tv movie from 1960), Painting the Clouds With Sunshine, and assorted Tv specials.
@aneamarlivana172 Thank you - I will try to track these down. I've seen excerpts from some which are really interesting.
This has got to be my absolute favourite dance/musical sequence to watch!
Greatest 70 millimeters version ever no way in stereophonic soundtrack and Technicolor print! MERCI BEAUCOUP from Paris France. Emmanuel
Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote the part of Aunt Eller with Charlotte Greenwood in mind, but film commitments kept her from being in the original Broadway production. I think she's the best thing in the film.
That I didn’t know until now. The first movie I’ve seen with her was Young People (1940)
This is when I fell in love with Will. He was great!!
Gene Nelson. He made being a cowboy seem so...flamboyant...and clean.
there's a 30 minute Gunsmoke episode where he and two other fellows are wanted in connection with killing a native American woman and Dillon has to try to figure out which one of them did it. Gene Nelson also did a lot of directing.
@Robert Ward - Now now, it might be heathen drivel, as well.
I can watch him dance for hours....
This had to take a week or so to get right, I mean it's amazing. If you watch right after he breaks the box, look how there's no cut in the footage, even up through the girl kicking his hat off and then all the guys dancing, the whole thing filmed in the same take. Crazy talent on everyone involved to choreograph that so well that you can get it in the same cut.
Only 10 shots in the entire scene. This thing is perfection down to the last frame.
Just terrific
Good song.
Aunt Eller/Charlotte Greenwood was known in her younger years for being a very flexible dancer capable of extremely high kicks with her long legs. It was said she was the only woman who could kick a giraffe in the eye. There are moments in Oklahoma where you can catch a glimpse of her former abilities. Love her portrayal of the spicy old lady.
Wikipedia: Gene Nelson (1920-1996) was inspired to become a dancer during his childhood by watching Fred Astaire in films. After serving in the Army during World War II, during which he also performed in the musical 'This Is the Army,' Nelson landed his first Broadway role in 'Lend an Ear.' His performance earned a Theatre World Award. He also appeared onstage in 'Good News.' Nelson's longtime professional dance partner during the 1950s was actress JoAnn Dean Killingsworth.
After films he became a screenwriter and director and directed many TV shows.
I’m doing a performance of this online. 2 week program with Golden Preforming Arts Center. I got Will Parker!! Gene Nelson is a great inspiration.
Great dance number!
❤❤❤❤ Best dancing and acting.
Some of the best Entertainment there ever was R.I.P Mr Rogers/and Mr. Hamerstein.
I’ve never seen this film, but the National Theatre’s stage version on video, did it locally years ago too and love the music, the staging of this is so good right to the end, so much fun.
This was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. It looks like there two cuts and that was it. Amazing.
10 total.
American genius ... nothing less.
Awesome!
One of The best Moves ever made/ They dont make movies this good anymore.
How true that is Fred. Some of the so called "Stars" of today would not even get in the chorus line of these old movies, these people could dance, sing play instruments use a lassoo as a prop and still did not get Star Billing, I am an 85 year old guy, and I will never tire of watching and re-watching these old clips.
@@terrywright7470 You got a 13 year head start on me, but I'm right there with you.
Gene Nelson was my uncle, by marriage to his 2nd wife, and my great aunt, Marilyn Morgan. They divorced in the mid '70s, but remained good friends. I have a few things that "Uncle G", wore/used in the movie: the lasso that he used in the dance scene Kansas City ( one of my most prized posessions, because he taught me how to use it, and introduced me to Johnny Crawford from The Rifleman, who also gave me a few lessons with it ). Also, a shirt that he wore in one of the scenes with Eddie Albert and Gloria Grahame , and 2 hats; one that he wore, and one that Gordon MacRae wore for a promotional photo shoot for the movie ( I don't know if Gordon MacRae wore it in the movie ). A few other things, too.
I remember Uncle G as a kind and humble man, with the patience of a saint while teaching me some dance moves. They weren't what I would call close friends , but he did maintain a friendship with Gloria Grahame and Eddie Albert. He brought me along on a quasi reunion of sorts, of friends/acquaintances that he maintained over the years, of a handful of cast members. Shirley Jones is most memorable, because I later developed a massive crush on her, and had asked my uncle to introduce me to her. He finally obliged in '73 or '74, when he was on the set of a show called "The Partridge Family", where I met and smoked a joint with David Cassidy. I wasn't with my uncle that time, but had been invited to attend, by a set designer for the show...( crazy world! ). More on that at another time. I went with him several times to the movie "Kissing Cousins" with Elvis Presley, that he was directing. Also to an episode of The Rifleman ( I forget which episode ), and I Dream Of Jeanie.
But, the
Just one example of how generous Uncle G was, is how, even after the divorce of he and my aunt, he and i remained very close, to the day that he passed away from a very cruel cancer. I could tell so much more. I thought about writing a book on my experiences, but I doubt that anyone would be interested. Maybe one day before I'm a senile old man. Suffice it to say, that I loved my "Uncle G", who died in the mid 1990s, and I loved him very, very much.
Thank you for indulging an old man's ( I'm 72 ) strole down memory lane!❤️
Thank you so much for sharing these remembrances of your uncle. I've always thought he was the absolute best of the film dancers of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s...better than all the rest. It's good to hear that he was also a nice person.
@@aneamarlivana172 You're welcome, and I appreciate that! 👍
I've always loved Gene Nelson and can't understand why his talents weren't highlighted more often. Thanks for sharing your memories. I enjoyed reading them.
In case anybody is interested, this scene was shot here:
31°39'38.3"N 110°31'29.7"W
Go to Google street view and look at the mountains in the background. Compare with those in the movie, they match. It seems that you can see the RR grade south of the area from the satellite view. The tracks are gone, and the station house has either been demolished or completely renovated.
I believe the station was built from scratch just for the movie.
Thanks for the coordinates. It looks nowhere as picturesque as in the movie. That's Hollywood for you.
@@t.p.mckenna Maybe so.
@@t.p.mckenna No doubt. I am always kind of fascinated when movies are shot at locations out of the studio. It's interesting to see how things change over time and what Hollywood did to make a scene work.
@@georgesealy4706 I just saw this tantalising home movie from the shooting of OK. Very brief. Biggest problem seemed to be the heat. ruclips.net/video/EY16GkVVIP8/видео.html
I Just wish I could have the orchestral score of this magnificent music. Superb
“Of course, they don’t do it alone. COME ON, AUNT ELLER!!!” That part is hilarious.
You are witnessing a timeless performance by Gene Nelson, still as beautiful in song, dance and spirit as it was when filmed so many decades ago. Oklahoma is better than O-K by me.
Oklahoma was the first musical I ever saw on stage when I was around 5 or 6.
that dude at 1:38 he may want to get that laugh looked at.
Airborne101st501st stop
Lmao
Much credit should be given to the director, Fred Zinnemann. I think this was the only musical he ever directed, and it's a masterpiece. Hard to believe this was the same man who directed such dark dramas as "Act Of Violence", "The Men", "High Noon", "From Here To Eternity" and "Day Of The Jackal". He filmed these singers and dancers to their best advantage as if he'd been doing it all his life. I wonder how he of all directors, was chosen for this movie instead of a director who'd done a musical before?
To be sure, Zimmermann’s work here is of the highest caliber.
Rodgers and Hammerstein ❤ nuff said!
Damn he was beautiful! Grew up lusting after that cowboy!
Melissa Chapman I didn't. That is until I got to know him. For his family's sake, I'll leave it at that, except to say, I'm always surprised by posts like yours. He wasn't Gene Kelly, yet so many women, and some men too loved this man. It truly warms my heart.
As gay teen in the 80s I found Will sexy in a sweet and awkwardly charming way. Then Gene being a fantastic dancer helped- talented me always got me going.
@@marjoriecohen5534 Intriguing post.
He IS hot in a weird geeky cornfed kind of way, isn't he? I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this!
@@suburbanbeatnik If you watch some of the other musical films he did like Tea for Two and Lullaby of Broadway and Painting the Clouds with Sunshine, he was hot in those films in an elegant, drop dead gorgeous way.
God this makes me wanna move to Kansas City
don't do it
Best dance scene in the movie!
First from Randy Rainbow's latest brilliant satire.
I guess that makes me second
Third
Charlotte Greenwood was 6' tall her particular claim to fame was that she could kick her leg up over her head. She does it in several movies, just not this one.
That was him? I remember seeing his name on those shows! That is fascinating!
👍 👍 Thank You for uploading
Gone are those days, except as remembrances.
In the original show, Will Parker sings, "But, later in the second act when she begun to peel, she proved that everything she had was absolutely real." Hollywood really loused up some of the best Broadway lyrics by its policy of having to "sanitize" them for the film adaptations of these Broadway shows, thereby taking away a lot of the song's original appeal.
One of my best friends is playing Will in our musical, and I crack up because he turns bright red when he sings this. He's so shy, I love watching him sing this! I love you bud!!!
Poor guy; I wonder if the audience notices
+MrManorAvenue Well, so far he's only sang it at rehearsals but yeah, its pretty noticable. But he's taking it like a champ.
+MrManorAvenue It was not Hollywood's doing. The movie industry was subjected through the late 1960s to the strict moral guidelines that the Hays Office's Motion Picture Production Code established 30 years earlier.
I recall the early controversy that Otto Preminger's 'The Moon is Blue' brought on in 1953.
It affected also the screen versions of 'God's Little Acre'; 'Baby Doll'; 'Lolita'; 'Sweet Bird of Youth; 'Suddenly Last Summer'; 'Walk on the Wild Side'; 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'; 'Reflections in a Golden Eye,' etc.
Screenwriters and moviemakers had to be creative and, as can be seen from the above, were successful for the most part.
Excellent point. I hadn't taken into consideration the Hays Code. In the cases though where Hollywood cut songs entirely from the film version of any show, it seems to me it was either because the songs might have been more geared towards sophisticated Broadway audiences and might have thus gone over the heads of the "average dunderhead." Or, the song might have offended people in a different manner. One such example is my belief that Warner Bros. cut "A New Town Is A Blue Town" from the film version of The Pajama Game for fear the song would offend all of the people in all of those "one horse, two bit, hick" towns to which the song makes snide reference.
"That was just some fine dancing!!!!!"...I went about as far as I can go!!!!
Great song
My husband and I always sing this one ☝🏻
Are there two versions of this dance number, on you tube. I am watching both and in other version about 3:26 nelson jumps on box and falls thru then steps out...In the this version he only lands one foot in off balance and the girl in blue catches him and he steps out of box. ?
Each scene needed to be shot twice - one for the 70mm Todd AO release prints (220:1 ratio) and the other for 35mm CinemaScope release prints for general widespread release (255:1 ratio). The version in which both Gene Nelson's feet go through the box is from the 35mm print.
Todd AO 70mm was also developed specifically for the bringing Okalahoma to the screen and was a premium viewing experience in only a handful of theatres in larger cities and featured 6 track high fidelity sound and far better image quality than 35mm which generally only offered mono sound (there were 4 track prints at limited theatres equipped for this).
R + H weren't happy after Fox demonstrated their new 35mm CinemaScope process that initially had issues with distortion eventually rectified to a large degree. Mike Todd (husband of Elizabeth Taylor) heard about this and spear headed the development of Todd AO knowing a release of Oklahoma would guarantee success as everyone in Hollywood was eager to bring it to the screen. It was a gamble that paid off.
The clouds in this scene are particularly beautiful.
Half the scene is psychedelic to me.
Oklahoma! is a superb example of how a film adaptation of a stage musical should be done. For one thing, they add elements you could never get away with on stage, like having Gene dance on a moving train.
I ultimately feel Grease is the true gold standard of such!
Man I love this movie!!
In this show rn in Ensamble Its sooooo fun
Randy Rainbow sent me 😁
My husband and I use meme style references based on this movie around the house to this day.
And it's still as relevant as ever.
" I'm just a girl who cain't say no"
"They've gone just about as far as they can go!"ect.
One of R&H best show tunes
I realized that Oklahoma is the story of Will and Ado Annie
It's the story of a couple of conceited blowhards chasing tail in the country.
Will and Annie are the real stars. Always have been.
I want to live in this world.
I love how Will is just having fun dancing around the train station! Will & Ado Annie are my favorite R+H beta couple
This is the first time that I've seen this particular video and I was surprised that the box collapsed when Will's foot hit it. There are other takes of this scene which don't show that. Sorry if everyone knew this before, but it's new to me.
This is the 2nd version of Oklahoma.
They made 2 different movies at same time.
You notice in this one when he jumped on the crate version 1 his both legs go into the crate.
2nd version he messed up and 1 leg in and one leg out.
I'm glad you confirmed that as I thought it was the second version. The other take is much tighter. It was why Sinatra walked off Carousel when he realised they'd be shooting the movie twice.
Such a great number, probably my favorite from too many good choices in this movie/musical. Worth noting there is some interesting trivia about the jumps the two schoolgirl actresses did at the end, the SAG union rep (if it was still called SAG then) stepped in right before shooting and insisted on $500 per jump bumps for both actresses, which was tremendous in 1955 dollars (and is pretty good now -- believe me, I did a non-union stunt in the 90s on a gig and got paid way less).
It's worth pointing out the stunts both ladies did are actually pretty impressive for folks that don't normally do stunts, dancers or not -- that's a long jump, and the one that did the feet-first jump -- that was definitely the hardest one to do, dunno if I could have done that (and they would have needed a weightlifter or two guys to catch me, lol).