The King and I (1956)

Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr

'The King and I' is a musical film made in 1956, directed by Walter Lang and starring Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and Rita Moreno. The screenplay is by Ernest Lehman and is based on the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1951 smash Broadway musical hit of the same name, which, in turn, is based on the book "Anna and the King of Siam" by Margaret Landon.

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The film was extremely successful on release, both with the critics and the public. It received nine Academy Award nominations and won five including Best Actor for Yul Brynner. From a musical point of view at least, it is regarded as the best of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals and it is still extremely popular to this day. Four of the songs stand out as having become evergreen standards: "Getting to Know You", "Whistle a Happy Tune", "Hello, Young Lovers" and "Shall We Dance". On the American film Institute's List of "100 Years of Musicals" 'The King and I' is ranked at number eleven.

The role of the King was originally to have been given to Marlon Brando but eventually good sense prevailed and Yul Brynner re-created the role with which he had had so much success on Broadway and which is now closey identified with him. He starred in a sitcom version in the 1970's, and in the 1977 and 1985 Broadway revivals. He is one of the few people who have won both a Tony Award and an Academy Award for the same role. Brynner had a pleasing, resonant, baritone voice and was the only major cast member whose songs were not dubbed.

Deborah Kerr plays the role of the genteel British governess who, with a son of her own, journeys from England to 19th century Siam (now Thailand) to instruct the sixty seven children of the king. Hers is more of a charismatic acting role, with singing secondary, (her voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon). She and Brynner work well together and provide the emotional spark for the movie.

The basic plot line comes from a story written by Anna Leonowens, who, in the early 1860s, was the actual school teacher to the children of King Mongkut of Siam. Because of inaccuracies in the representation of King Mongkut the film was instantly banned in Thailand and still is to this day.

This is a thoroughly entertaining, good-hearted story, enriched by some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most enduring music, and expounded with wit, humor and great skill.