Daily Archives: August 3, 2019

Vintage 1950s Movies THE KING AND I by Janet Elizabeth Lynn

Our latest book, GAME TOWN, begins with the 1957 Emmy Awards celebration and ends with the Academy Awards ceremony, I had to research the winners of both. Talk about a waltz down memory lane!! The King and I was the most nominated of all the movies released during the year of 1956. Then, of course, I just had to check out the history of the movie. I was so enlightened by its background I thought I would share it with you.

The King and I, a musical film by 20th Century Fox was released in 1956.  The screenplay by Ernest Lehman was based on the 1951 Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical of the same name. This popular musical was based on the 1944 novel by Margaret Landon titled Anna and the King of Siam. Ms. Landon based her novel on Anna Leonowens’ published memoirs, The English Governess at the Siamese Court. The film starred Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr.  

While the musical was written for Gertrude Lawrence, she was diagnosed with cancer while playing the role on Broadway and died before the show ended. After Ms. Lawrence’s death, both Dinah Shore and Maureen O’Hara were considered for the movie role of Anna. Deborah Kerr was ultimately casted as Anna at the recommendation of Yul Brynner.  However, her voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon. 

The movie was success with both critics and the public.  The King and I received 9 Academy Awards Nominations and won 5 of them.

Winners

Best Actor in a Leading Role – Yul Brynner
Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Color – John DeCuir, Lyle R. Wheeler, Walter M. Scott, Paul S. Fox
Best Costume Design, Color – Irene Sharaff
Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture – Alfred Newman and Ken Darby
Sound Recording – Carlton W. Faulkner; 20th Century Fox Sound Department

Nominated

Best Picture of the Year – Charles Brackett
Best Actress in a Leading Role – Deborah Kerr
Best Director – Walter Lang
Best Cinematography, Color – Leon Shamroy

Here is a clip of the song GETTING TO KNOW YOU. Enjoy!

Some images from The King and I