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The King and I Overview:

The King and I (1956) was a Drama - Family Film directed by Walter Lang and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and Charles Brackett.

The film was based on the musical of the same name written by Oscar Hammerstein II performed at the St. James Theatre, NY from Mar 29, 1951 - Mar 20, 1954.

Academy Awards 1956 --- Ceremony Number 29 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorYul BrynnerWon
Best ActressDeborah KerrNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Lyle R. Wheeler, John DeCuir; Set Decoration: Walter M. Scott, Paul S. FoxWon
Best CinematographyLeon ShamroyNominated
Best Costume DesignIrene SharaffWon
Best DirectorWalter LangNominated
Best Music - ScoringAlfred Newman, Ken DarbyWon
Best PictureCharles Brackett, ProducerNominated

The King and I BlogHub Articles:

Classic Movie Travels: Nova Scotia, Canada – The King and I, and Titanic

Classic Movie Travel Sites in Halifax, Nova Scotia I had the pleasure of visiting Nova Scotia over the summer, and as any true-blue Classic Movie Fan would do, I just had to find some classic-movie-related sites to make my trip complete! That said, I’d like to share some photos and a youtube c... Read full article


Irene Sharaff’s Costumes for The King and I

I had a lot of pleasure when I wrote about Cecil Beaton’s costumes for My Fair Lady for The 31 Days of Oscars Blogathons (the crafts). So, when Christina Wenher and Into the Writer Lea announced  their Characters in Costume Blogfest, I thought it was a most appealing idea. I obviously wante... Read full article


“TCM Big Screen Classics: The King and I” Movie Event Ticket Giveaway (August 5 – August 20)

Win Tickets to see “The King and I” on the Big Screen! in Select Cinemas Nationwide August 28 & August 31! CMH is thrilled to announce the next of our monthly movie ticket giveaways this year, courtesy of Fathom Events! That said, this month, we’ll be giving away SIX PAIRS of tickets to se... Read full article


The King and I (1956)

The King and I Directed by Walter Lang Written by Ernest Lehman based on the musical play by Oscar Hammerstein III based on Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon 1956/USA Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant When Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr begin to polka, ... Read full article


Rodgers and Hammerstein Collection on Blu-ray: The King and I (1956)

Next to The Sound of Music, everyone knows the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I.  Their celebrity status probably is the reason both have similar plotlines: A governess out of her depth travels to a new place to teach a powerful’s man children, of which there’s several.  ... Read full article


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The King and I Quotes:

Louis: Mother, look! The Prime Minister is naked.
Anna: Oh don't be ridiculous, Louis. He can't be all naked. He's only
[looks through the telescope]
Anna: ... half naked.

King: Now, shall Mr. Lingkong be winning this war he is fighting at present?
Anna: No one knows really.
King: Well, does he have enough guns and elephants for transporting things?
Anna: I don't think they have elephants in America, your majesty.
King: No elephants? No wonder he is not winning war!

King: Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!

Anna: Then how do you explain, your majesty, that many men remain faithful to only one wife?
King: They are sick

King: You are very difficult woman!
Anna: Perhaps so, Your Majesty.
See More Quotes from The King and I
The King and I Facts
In real life, the King died of malaria, not a broken spirit.

Yul Brynner is the only man to have played a lead role in a Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II production both on the stage and on the screen.

Darryl F. Zanuck first cast Maureen O'Hara as Anna because she was not only gorgeous but had a fine soprano voice and would not have to be dubbed. When Zanuck told her the news, she immediately sent sample recordings of her voice. Richard Rodgers agreed that O'Hara had a great voice but reportedly said, "No pirate queen is going to play my Anna!"

Although Walter Lang is given sole directorial credit on the film, Yul Brynner repeatedly clashed with him and made many of the directorial suggestions which found their way into the finished film.

It was announced, early on, that Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II would write a set of new songs for this film adaptation of their 1951 hit Broadway musical, but of course, this didn't come to pass.

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