King and I The (1956)
King and I The (1956)
This essential musical romance drama earned Yul Brynner his Best Actor Oscar (on his only nomination) his co-star Deborah Kerr was also nominated (her third of six unrewarded Best Actress nominations). Directed by Walter Lang this (Richard) Rodgers & (Oscar) Hammerstein II masterpiece earned Academy Awards for its Color Art Direction-Set Decoration & Costume Design Sound and Score. Director Lang received his only recognition from the Academy as well; Leon Shamroy’s Color Cinematography and the film itself were also Oscar nominated. "Getting to Know You" was sung by Marni Nixon who dubbed Kerr’s singing voice throughout the film. Based on Margaret Landon’s (true story) novel "Anna and the King of Siam" Hammerstein’s play and Ernest Lehman’s (Sabrina (1954)) screenplay. #31 on AFI’s 100 Greatest Love Stories list. "Shall We Dance" is #54 of AFI’s 100 Top Movie Songs of All Time. #11 on AFI’s 25 Greatest Movie Musicals list.
Proper British schoolteacher & widow Anna Leonowens (Kerr) is hired by progressive & English educated King Mongkut of Siam (Brynner) to teach his many children. The King’s favorite expression is "et cetera et cetera et cetera (and so on and so forth)". With her young son Anna finds the customs in Bangkok to be much different from their home country of England. While Anna is initially put off by the King’s offensive chauvinism in time she comes to admire his character and desires of a better life for his heirs. Even though the King is initially frustrated with Anna’s stubbornness and refusal to kowtow to his ways he needs her help to put his country on the world’s map. Through their interactions both earn each other’s respect and (platonic) love. Rita Moreno plays Tumtim a beautiful slave who’s to become another of the King’s wives that brings Anna and the King to odds. Alan Mowbray plays the British Ambassador that the King wants to impress and needs Anna’s help to do it. A unique version of "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" play is performed as the entertainment for his distinguished guests.
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