The Angel Classic Musicals series set new standards for presenting Broadway and film soundtracks in spectacular sound and informative booklets. Though many of their releases were of contemporary musical revivals, they included older material like this 1956 soundtrack and it’s here that the rather amazing sound quality is remarkable. You would never guess this was recorded in the mid-fifties, as were their recordings of “Oklahoma!” and “Carousel”. Most movie soundtracks from the early to mid fifties sound flat and compressed, but this is spacious, detailed sound. This is especially important with a huge studio orchestra doing the job that was done by a small orchestra in the theater.The larger orchestra adds a great deal to the overall soundtrack.
The secret here is that Twentieth Century Fox recorded the sound directly onto their extra wide CinemaScope film in six channel sound, which gives it a wide dynamic range. In an era when stereo players weren’t available to the public until 1958, there was no reason to do so for most recordings. But this sound was recorded to accompany a huge widescreen film shown in special roadshow performances and had to be something that matched the spectacular picture. Angel was EMI’s classical music label, but it included classic Broadway. EMI had their own excellent engineers who remastered the sound perfectly.
The music is a must for any lover of Broadway and filmed musicals, or fans of Rodgers and Hammerstein or “The King and I” in particular. The musical was written for Broadway legend Gertrude Lawrence as a star vehicle and followed the famed composers’ “Oklahoma!”, “Carousel” and “South Pacific”. She was to star in the film as well, but tragically died in the middle of the show’s Broadway run. After considering others including dinah Shore and Maureen O’Hara, Deborah Kerr was chosen for the role of Anna Leonowens, one of the wisest casting choices ever made. Yul Brynner had been in the Broadway show with Lawrence and had already become practically the owner of the role.
The songs are highly tuneful and memorable, and in fact most of the songs were hits, known to most anyone, even the instrumental “March of the Siamese Children”. Several songs had been cut from the Broadway show, something usual with Hollywood; Broadway audiences expected a real evening at the theater, but movie audiences wanted something shorter, and the economics of showing multiple films a day was a consideration as well. All of this led to the cutting of three songs from the film, “I Have Dreamed”, “My Lord and Master” and “Shall I Tell You What I Think of You”. The last us the one I particularly miss; it was Anna’s tour de force in the middle of the show. It was actually filmed and 20th Century Fox intended to include the lost scene on the BluRay, but the scene turned out to be truly lost and they could only include the soundtrack with some production stills.
Three actors’ voices were dubbed: Rita Moreno (who could sing, so why?) by Leona Gordon, Carlos Rivas by Reuben Fuentes and most importantly, Deborah Kerr by Marni Nixon. This is not an issue at all. Marni Nixon went on to become the most famous voice dubber in Hollywood and herself said that Deborah Kerr had been her best voice match. She was on the set for every one of Kerr’s numbers and even walked through them with the actress, who actually sang the songs in order to look right in the film. In the soundtrack when Anna talks, that is Kerr talking, even, as Nixon relates, back and forth from one to another in “Shall I Tell You What I Think of You” and you really think it’s all one person.
Yul Brynner’s “Prayer To the Buddha” has been added since he had few songs in a role that in revivals became even bigger than Anna’s. Though technically they are the primary romantic couple, they get no real love songs or duets. Their love song is “Shall We Dance?”, where all the love is unspoken but simmering beneath the surface. It’s the only musical I can think of where the big love song is a polka.
EMI gave a great gift to the listening audience by using the extra time allowed by CD technology to add material that a 35 minute LP simply couldn’t hold. In this case the main addition is the ballet. “The Small House of Uncle Thomas”. On the CD’s of “Oklahoma!” and “Carousel” the orchestral sections of the ballets were added. On this CD sections of orchestral underscoring were included, expanding the general feeling of the film. An extra nice and unexpected bonus track is the “Overture” from the LP. This is the traditional overture from the Broadway play, with its hints of Gamelan music and preview of melodies to come. That was too long for the opening credits of the film, whose “Main Title” is a brief affair. Anyone who had the album will really appreciate this inclusion.
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The King and I 1956 Film Soundtrack
Remastered
Deborah Kerr
(Performer),
Yul Brynner
(Performer),
Marni Nixon
(Performer),
Rita Moreno
(Performer),
Alfred Newman
(Performer)
&
2
more Format: Audio CD
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The King And I: Music From The Motion Picture (Remastered 2001)
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From the brand
Track Listings
| 1 | Main Title - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman |
| 2 | I Whistle a Happy Tune - Marni Nixon/Rex Thompson - Marni Nixon/Rex Thompson |
| 3 | My Lord and Master - Rita Moreno - Rita Moreno |
| 4 | The March of the Siamese Children - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman |
| 5 | Anna and the Royal Wives - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman |
| 6 | Hello, Young Lovers - Marni Nixon - Marni Nixon |
| 7 | A Puzzlement - Yul Brynner - Yul Brynner |
| 8 | Getting to Know You - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon |
| 9 | Garden Rendezvous - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman |
| 10 | We Kiss in a Shadow - Leona Gordon/Reuben Fuentes - Leona Gordon/Reuben Fuentes |
| 11 | I Have Dreamed - Leona Gordon/Reuben Fuentes - Leona Gordon/Reuben Fuentes |
| 12 | Shall I Tell You What I Think of You? - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon |
| 13 | Something Wonderful - Terry Saunders - Terry Saunders |
| 14 | Prayer to Buddha - Yul Brynner - Yul Brynner |
| 15 | Waltz of Anna and Sir Edward - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman |
| 16 | The Small House of Uncle Thomas - Rita Moreno - Rita Moreno |
| 17 | Song of the King - Yul Brynner/Marni Nixon - Yul Brynner/Marni Nixon |
| 18 | Shall We Dance? - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon/Yul Brynner - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon/Yul Brynner |
| 19 | The Letter - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman |
| 20 | Something Wonderful (Finale) - Chorus/Alfred Newman - Chorus/Alfred Newman |
| 21 | Overture (LP Version) - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman |
Editorial Reviews
This one charted for 274(!) weeks in 1956 because it starred Yul Brynner and Marni Nixon (singing for Deborah Kerr, the star in the movie), plus songs like Shall We Dance?
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Language : English, Thai
- Product Dimensions : 5.79 x 5.04 x 0.39 inches; 4.09 Ounces
- Manufacturer : Angel
- Item model number : 2126689
- Original Release Date : 2001
- Date First Available : July 27, 2006
- Label : Angel
- ASIN : B00005A7XC
- Country of Origin : USA
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #8,495 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #76 in Traditional Vocal Pop (CDs & Vinyl)
- #77 in Musical Soundtracks & Scores
- #136 in Movie Soundtracks (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
386 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 5, 2022
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 4, 2022
I’m so happy with my purchase. It arrived in perfect condition.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 9, 2022
The King and I is one of the 4 best R&H musicals (others: Oklahoma!, South Pacific & Carousel). This CD contains most of the music included in the film and a couple of songs cut from the film (My Lord & Master, I Have Dreamed, Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?) The stereo sound is expansive highlighting the 20th Century-Fox orchestra conducted by Alfred Newman at the height of his powers. It even includes the complete ballet music, Small House of Uncle Thomas. A few other instrumental interludes are also included. There’s nothing to disappoint in this disc.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 10, 2007
Of the three recent EMI-Angel R&H film soundtrack reissues, I find that this reissue of the King & I soundtrack is the best-executed. The King and I shows a new maturing of the R&H element and this superb 1956 film adaptation more than certainly does it justice. The superb soundtrack presented here includes the complete score, along with some of Alfred Newman's underscoring, and boasts splendid performances by Marni Nixon and Yul Brynner. And of course the orchestra is sumptuous and properly lush, enveloping us in sweltering renditions of some of Rodgers' most heartfelt melodies.
I won't reiterate the critic-proof performances here. Other reviewers have covered them elsewhere. Nixon as a voice-dubber is in her element as Anna, and portrays her characterfully. Brynner is in his element as the King, as firm, commanding and authoritative as we've always known him to be. This performance shows him at his best, ripe, fresh and mature. Leona Gordon and Reuben Fuentes shine as the star-crossed lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha, bringing a melancholic quality to their brief numbers. It's really a treat to hear their renditions of the omitted songs My Lord and Master and I Have Dreamed. Rita Moreno as the real Tuptim acquits herself well when narrating the Uncle Tom's Cabin ballet sequence, presented for the first time on an official soundtrack recording. It's good to also hear Terry Saunders as Lady Thiang, in a heartfelt, humane and imploring rendition of Something Wonderful, and she is the icing on the cake of this superb soundtrack recording.
This EMI-Angel R&H soundtrack offers an extra benefit in addition to the extra musical sequences. Unlike the companion CDs of Oklahoma and Carousel, it presents the extra material from the original unmixed studio vault masters, except for the Prayer to Buddha and the Uncle Tom's Cabin ballet. This means that this reissue is blessedly free of the extraneous sound effects that plague the Oklahoma and Carousel CDs. I know that the sound effects and little snippets of dialogue drown out the music, but at least these reissues are a start in presenting comprehensive R&H soundtracks worthy of their films. What a pity that none of these R&H soundtrack reissues aren't 2-CD sets, otherwise we would have been able to hear the underscore.
In short, this is a superb presentation of a fine R&H film soundtrack.
I won't reiterate the critic-proof performances here. Other reviewers have covered them elsewhere. Nixon as a voice-dubber is in her element as Anna, and portrays her characterfully. Brynner is in his element as the King, as firm, commanding and authoritative as we've always known him to be. This performance shows him at his best, ripe, fresh and mature. Leona Gordon and Reuben Fuentes shine as the star-crossed lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha, bringing a melancholic quality to their brief numbers. It's really a treat to hear their renditions of the omitted songs My Lord and Master and I Have Dreamed. Rita Moreno as the real Tuptim acquits herself well when narrating the Uncle Tom's Cabin ballet sequence, presented for the first time on an official soundtrack recording. It's good to also hear Terry Saunders as Lady Thiang, in a heartfelt, humane and imploring rendition of Something Wonderful, and she is the icing on the cake of this superb soundtrack recording.
This EMI-Angel R&H soundtrack offers an extra benefit in addition to the extra musical sequences. Unlike the companion CDs of Oklahoma and Carousel, it presents the extra material from the original unmixed studio vault masters, except for the Prayer to Buddha and the Uncle Tom's Cabin ballet. This means that this reissue is blessedly free of the extraneous sound effects that plague the Oklahoma and Carousel CDs. I know that the sound effects and little snippets of dialogue drown out the music, but at least these reissues are a start in presenting comprehensive R&H soundtracks worthy of their films. What a pity that none of these R&H soundtrack reissues aren't 2-CD sets, otherwise we would have been able to hear the underscore.
In short, this is a superb presentation of a fine R&H film soundtrack.
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 26, 2022
Thank you very much for your wonderful CD and it arrived in a prompt manner. Great customer service. Thank you! I would highly recommend the seller.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 29, 2022
I purchased this for my mother, who has dementia. She smiled and clapped when the CD started. Sound quality great. Super fast shipping.
Top reviews from other countries
Nostalgia
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Something Wonderful"
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 16, 2011
There are probably only two musical films I really enjoy, one being 'South Pacific' (cd reviewed elsewhere) and the other - 'The King and I'. Both have wonderfully memorable music and it is difficult to choose between the two.
This cd reproduces the original musical soundtrack superbly and, in addition, contains a rather lengthy (almost 13 minutes) 'Small House of Uncle Thomas', a play with anti-slavery connotations, performed in the film as an adaptation by Tuptim (a Burmese slave girl and the latest of the King of Siam's numerous wives, who is in love with a commoner) of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', which displeases the King as being too controversial and threatening to his authority.
Bringing back vivid memories of a glorious film, based on actual events, this soundtrack - consisting of 21 tracks - is to be thoroughly recommended.
This cd reproduces the original musical soundtrack superbly and, in addition, contains a rather lengthy (almost 13 minutes) 'Small House of Uncle Thomas', a play with anti-slavery connotations, performed in the film as an adaptation by Tuptim (a Burmese slave girl and the latest of the King of Siam's numerous wives, who is in love with a commoner) of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', which displeases the King as being too controversial and threatening to his authority.
Bringing back vivid memories of a glorious film, based on actual events, this soundtrack - consisting of 21 tracks - is to be thoroughly recommended.
4 people found this helpful
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Ready mix
5.0 out of 5 stars
Long Live the King!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 1, 2011
Here is in wonderful sound, the 'complete' King and I. Beautifully packaged, the producers have provided everything you want to know about each performance and Marni Nixon in particular is given her due credit for her contributions, in this case to provide the singing voice for the gorgeous Deborah Kerr. (I understand she did not sing her parts only due to not being available when the music was recorded.) If you used to have the LP or an earlier version of the CD, it is time for you to invest in a new prstine version and this is it. Rodgers and Hammerstein at their best with a wonderful cast, incredible arrangements and WHAT an orchestra. Highly recommended.
5 people found this helpful
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Ronnie
4.0 out of 5 stars
So enjoyable.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 13, 2017
I saw this movie as a boy, and really enjoyed it. I have owned many of the songs from it on cd's but this soundtrack from the film is excatly what I was after.
Mr. Raymond S. PAINTER
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ray's review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 28, 2020
Definitely as I remember the vinyl version.
One person found this helpful
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Amanda M
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for your top 10 musicals.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 19, 2010
Often over looked this is a jewel. Wonderful score, story and performances from when musicals were at their most magical. Highly recommend this for your top ten must have list. Sit back and enjoy!
3 people found this helpful
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