At a New England carnival, young Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones) meets fast-talking carousel barker Billy Bigelow (Gordon McRae). Even after being warned of Billy's lecherous ways Julie falls for him. The two marry but endure a rocky marriage, with Billy sponging off Julie's Cousin Nettie (Claramae Turner) instead of working. After Julie becomes pregnant, Billy joins with two-bit hood Jigger (Cameron Mitchell) in a botched robbery. Billy dies, returning to earth 15 years later to help his daughter (Susan Luckey) avoid a similar fate.
It's obvious why Carousel isn't listed among the great screen musicals. Henry King's static direction lacks the skill of his Westerns like The Gunfighter, rarely expanding beyond lazy master shots. Even the choreography rarely transcends competence, save the marvelous, wordless "Carousel Waltz" opening. The awkward mixture of seaside exteriors and hokey sets don't help either. Despite beautiful Cinemascope photography it doesn't even begin to approach the visual dynamism of Singin' in the Rain and My Fair Lady.
But Carousel transcends its mediocre staging. Rodgers and Hammerstein produced some of their most beautiful songs for this show, wonderful compositions that will appeal even to non-musical fans. Besides the aforementioned "Carousel Waltz," the best numbers are the simplest staged. Billy gets the lovely "Soliloquy," musing proudly over his unborn child, which redeems what's been a lousy character. The big showstopper is "You'll Never Walk Alone," sung as a heartrending solo by Claramae Turner. These wonderful songs alone make Carousel worthwhile.
Carousel is a loose adaptation of Liliom, Ferenc Molnar's fantasy of Heavenly redemption made into a memorable Fritz Lang film. We wince at some of the dated assumptions about gender (maybe getting smacked around does hurt, Julie) but the attempts at crafting flawed musical protagonists are admirable. Less admirable is the moral espoused by "Stonecutters Cut It On Stone"; falling between good and bad shouldn't mean well-intentioned wife beater. But the charming story of love and redemption compensates for these mixed messages. Billy manages to overcome a rotten, aimless life, performing a simple act of charity that saves his daughter from oblivion.
Gordon McRae is good mixing masculine bluster with reluctant romanticism, making Billy's pathetic tragedy palpable. Shirley Jones makes a perfect match, sweetly naive, then bewildered by her husband and daughter. Cameron Mitchell gets a rare standout role as a loathsome heel; Barbara Ruick's Carrie makes a good match for Julie. Claramae Turner belts out the big number with aplomb and Susan Luckey is endearing in her brief appearance. Groggy favorite Gene Lockhart (Hangmen Also Die!) contributes a minor role.
Carousel is an enjoyable show. There are plenty of great songs on offer, which help overcome its underwhelming presentation.
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