Mum's Monday: Carousel (1956)

WARNING SPOILERS

When this film starts, it is lovely how they show the people in heaven cleaning the stars, it is a nice touch and beginning.

After the opening credits, and after Billy Bigelow (Gordon MacRae) and Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones) meet at the Carousel, the script is a bit weak However, it works for the film. The part where Julie’s friend Carrie Pipperidge (Barbara Ruick) is crying is poorly acted and unnecessary.

The film is dated and the part where Carrie sings about being a ‘meek wife’ hasn’t stood the test of time. Mostly the songs work well during the film.

Some of the film is still relevant today, the part where Billy a bit of a rogue says “You’re a funny kid” to Julie when she stays with him on the path. This proves the theory that there is someone out there for everyone. This is nice to see and during this scene they sing one of the classic songs in the film ‘If I Loved You’

The film is a mix of a musical ghost story, love story and a fairy tale, as Billy and Julie, although they have only just recently met, they quickly get married.

During the song ‘June is bursting out all over’, the dancing is well choreographed and performed to a high standard.

I don’t know why they had to put in, that Billy hit Julie, if this is just to prove he is a rogue, we already know and don’t need to be shown again. It is a waste of film time putting that part in.

Another dated part and where the script could be better is when Carrie keeps referring to her future husband as ‘Mr. Snow’ (Robert Rounseville). Why not have her call him by his first name Enoch, this would sound less formal.

Another part where you think the film is going to take one route, only for Billy to have a change of heart. Some people are just not cut out for marriage, that is until he finds out he is going to be a Dad, to a son, and just when we think ‘does he not know girls exist’ he has a realisation that the baby might be a girl, and he starts singing in an accepting nature about being a Dad to a daughter, which is heart-warming to hear.

A lesson to be learnt that has stood the test of time, is that a Father is a ‘Role-Model’ to their daughter, and he wants her to ‘Want for nothing’ and only to associate with the best people and not the ‘Bums’ he, her dad hung out with.  

Although this film is a flashback into Billy’s life on earth, it is over an hour before he is killed and goes up to heaven. The film could be shorter and still work. Another classic song featured in the film ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is well placed after Billy dies.

Despite the name of the film a Carousel is only featured at the beginning of the film and a nod to one nearer the end. This part is cleverly done where, as part of a dance routine the men are carrying the women around, walking in a circle, and the women are forming a shape in the men’s arms, creating a human carousel. Carousel being the name of the film I did think one would feature more often, or they could have thought of a different name for the film.

Billy is at last sent back to help his 15-year-old daughter Louise (Susan Luckey), she is hanging out with the undesirables her father didn’t want her to. Can Billy help her? Getting her to believe in the words of the song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is a start.

The ending to this film is a bit flimsy and short. This film can be condensed down and you could still have the same storyline and more of Billy coming back the earth to see his daughter.

Overall a film worth watching, with some catchy songs and bright dance routines.