THE KING AND I

The King and I
(aka "Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I")
20th Century-Fox, 1956, Color, 133 minutes, ****
Released June, 1956
Based on the book, stage play and film "Anna and the King of Siam", Rodgers and Hammerstein's popular musical adaptation finds English school teacher Anna (Deborah Kerr) in the court of the King of Siam (Yul Brynner). She has been employed by the king to educate his children but finds the King, himself, much more of a challenge than the children. Although the King is bright and learned, they don't see eye to eye on many subjects. Many interesting debates on a wide variety of topics ensue, and they both learn much from each other.

Brynner also performed the role in the Broadway production and won a Best Actor Oscar for his film reprisal of that role. Wonderful song score includes such memorable tunes as "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Getting to Know You" and "Shall We Dance."

Anna Leonowens was a real person who moved to Siam to teach the King's children in 1862. But, there is little truth in the fictionalized version of her story as told in the book Anna and the King of Siam. This romanticized story is, essentially, a work of fiction.

An interesting website built by students in Thailand (Siam) can be found at The King and I: Fact or Fiction?

Setting: Siam, 1862

Darryl F. Zanuck Presents:
Produced by: Charles Brackett
Directed by: Walter Lang
Assistant Director: Eli Dunn
Screenplay by: Ernest Lehman
Music by: Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by: Oscar Hammerstein II
From their musical play based on "Anna and the King of Siam" by Margaret Landon
Dances and Musical Numbers Staged by: Jerome Robbins
Music Supervised and Conducted by: Alfred Newman
Associate: Ken Darby
Orchestration: Edward B. Powell, Gus Levene, Bernard Mayers, Robert Russell Bennett
Ballet Arrangements by: Trude Rittman
Consultant in Oriental Dancing: Michiko
Art Directors: Lyle R. Wheeler, John de Cuir
Set Decorations: Walter M. Scott, Paul S. Fox
Costumes Designed by: Irene Sharaff
Makeup by: Ben Nye
Hair Styling by: Helen Turpin
Sound: E. Clayton Ward, Warren Delaplain
Director of Photography: Leon Shamroy
Special Photographic Effects: Ray Kellogg
Filmed in CinemaScope 55, Color by DeLuxe
Color Consultant: Leonard Doss
Film Editor: Robert Simpson

Awards: Academy Awards for Best Actor (Yul Brynner), Best Score - Musical (Alfred Newman and Ken Darby), Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color), Best Costume Design (Color) (Irene Sharaff), Best Sound Recording; Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress (Deborah Kerr), Best Director and Best Color Cinematography (Leon Shamroy)

Cast: Deborah Kerr [Anna Leonowens], Yul Brynner [The King], Rita Moreno [Tuptim], Martin Benson [Kralahome], Terry Saunders [Lady Thiang], Rex Thompson [Louis Leonowens], Carlos Rivas [Lun Tha], Patrick Adiarte [Prince Chulalongkorn], Alan Mowbray [British Ambassador], Geoffrey Toone [Sir Edward Ramsay], Yuriko [Eliza], Marion Jim [Simon Legree], Robert Banas [Keeper of the Dogs], Dusty Worrall [Uncle Thomas], Gemze de Lappe [Specialty Dancer], Thomas Bonilla, Dennis Bonilla [Twins], Michiko Iseri [Angel in Ballet], Charles Irwin [Ship's Captain], Leonard Strong [Interpreter], Irene James [Siamese Girl], Jadin Wong, Jean Wong [Amazons], Fuji, Weaver Levy [Whipping Guards], William Yip [High Priest], Eddie Luke [Messenger], Josephine Smith [Guest at Palace], Jocelyn New [Princess Ying Yoowalak]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture: "March of the Siamese Children" (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:04] I Whistle a Happy Tune (sung by Marni Nixon dubbing for Deborah Kerr with Rex Thompson); [0:17] March of the Siamese Children (instrumental played as the Royal Princes and Princesses are presented to Anna Leonowens); [0:25] Hello, Young Lovers (sung by Marni Nixon dubbing for Deborah Kerr); [0:28] Home Sweet Home (sung by the Children); [0:30] A Puzzlement (sung by Yul Brynner); [0:36] Getting to Know You (sung and danced by Deborah Kerr, King's Wives and Children, Marni Nixon dubbing for Deborah Kerr); [0:55] We Kiss in a Shadow (sung by Carlos Rivas and Rita Moreno); [1:04] Something Wonderful (sung by Terry Saunders); [1:14] Prayer to Buddha (chanted by Yul Brynner and Wives); [1:22] Waltz of Anna and Sir Edward (danced by Deborah Kerr and Geoffrey Toone); [1:27] "Small House of Uncle Thomas" (Siamese version of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," narrated by Rita Moreno, sung and danced by King's wives); [1:48] Shall We Dance? (sung and danced by Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, Marni Nixon dubbing for Deborah Kerr); [2:12] Something Wonderful (reprised by Chorus at end of film)