DVD Review: The Rodgers and Hammerstein Collection

By Jeff Swindoll Nov 13, 2006, 15:03 GMT

Fox brings together six films made by the legendary team of Rodgers and Hammerstein into this wonderful box set.  However, if you’ve been collecting the other Fox releases you’ve already made a box set of your own.

Before I got into the usual breakdown of the movies with special features I’m going to give you my evaluation of the box set.  The box set is wonderful and full of excellent special features, but with a caveat.  A definite must buy for fans of musicals and R&H if, and only if, you haven’t been buying the Anniversary editions of the films that have already been released of the titles that are in the box. 

This set only collects those films’ Anniversary Editions together (in two disc slim cases), so you’re not getting anything new per se (well maybe a new collectible booklet).  If you haven’t been buying them separately, then your day has come and this box set if for you.  Last time I looked online, you’d be saving $2-3 per title to get them in this collection instead of buying them separately (and who’s adverse to saving a little change?).  Now onto what’s on twelve discs in the set.
 
State Fair is the only R&H musical written directly for the big screen (the rest started on Broadway and made their way to the screen eventually).  Both films cover the adventures of a family as they attend the Iowa State Fair.  State Fair (1945) won the Oscar for best original song “It Might as Well be Spring.”

State Fair 60th Anniversary Edition DVD:
Disc 1: 
State Fair (1945) presented in it’s original fullscreen aspect ratio. 
Commentary By Film Historian Richard Barrios And Tom Briggs (Co-author of the Broadway Musical Version Of State Fair)
“From Stage to Screen” featurette
Singalong  Karaoke subtitles
Still galleries
Theatrical trailer

Disc 2:
State Fair (1962) presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Commentary By Pat Boone
Vintage excerpt from a 1954 television tribute to R&H featuring Mary Martin performing “It Might as Well be Spring.”
1976 Television Pilot For State Fair
Theatrical trailer

Oklahoma(!) tells the tale of two cowboys who woo their sweethearts in the Oklahoma territory at the turn of the century and are thwarted by an evil ranch hand.  It features the songs “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” and “Oklahoma!”

Oklahoma! 50th Anniversary Edition DVD:
Disc 1:
Ultra-Widescreen Cinemascope Presentation (2.55:1 Aspect Ratio) enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Commentary by Ted Chapin, President of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, and Hugh Fordin, Film Historian And Hammerstein Biographer
Singalong Karaoke subtitles
Theatrical trailer

Disc 2:
Widescreen Todd AO Presentation, (2.20:1 Aspect Ratio) Commonly Referred To As The “Roadshow” Version
Commentary by Star Shirley Jones And Film Historian Nick Redman
“Cinemascope vs. Todd AO” featurette
“The March of Todd-A-O” featurette
“The Miracle of Todd-A-O” featurette
Vintage excerpt from a 1954 television tribute to R&H featuring “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin” performed by Gordon MacRae and “People Will Say We’re In Love” performed by Florence Henderson And Gordon MacRae
Photo Galleries From Behind The Scenes
Theatrical Trailers And Teasers

The tale of a smooth talking carnival barker who falls in love and marries a factory worker.  They marry and to make ends meet he turns to robbery and is killed in the process.  He’s send back from “up above” to his daughter’s high school graduation to teach her one lesson.  Featuring the instrumental “Carousel Waltz” and the songs “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Carousel 50th Anniversary Edition DVD:
Disc 1:
Presented in anamorphic widescreen (aspect ratio 2.35:1) enhanced for 16x9 televisions 
Commentary By Star Shirley Jones and Documentary Filmmaker Nick Redman
Exclusive Isolated Musical Score
Songs-only option
Singalong Karaoke Subtitles

Disc 2:
Bonus Film: 1934 French classic Liliom, directed by Fritz Lang, starring Charles Boyer, and based on the same play that inspired Carousel
”Turns on the Carousel” Featurette
Vintage excerpt from a 1954 television tribute to R&H featuring “If I Loved You” in an extended sequence with original Broadway stars John Raitt and Jan Clayton
Stills and audio from deleted numbers:
“You're A Queer One Julie Jordan” Performed by Barbara Ruick & Shirley Jones “Blow High, Blow Low” Performed by Cameron Michael And Chorus
Fox Movietone News: “Carousel Opens At NY and Hollywood In Cinemascope® 55”
Behind-The-Scenes Still Gallery
Original Theatrical Trailer

The King and I tells the story of a Englishwoman who comes to Siam to be a schoolteacher, but runs up against the headstrong monarch.  However, over time they come to appreciate each other.  Featuring the songs “Getting to Know You” and “Shall We Dance.”

King and I 50th Anniversary Edition DVD:
Disc 1:
Presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.55:1) enhanced for 16x9 televisions 
Commentary By film scholar Richard Barrios and musical theater historian Michael Portantiere
Exclusive Isolated Musical Score
Singalong Karaoke Subtitles

Disc 2:
Anna and The King TV pilot with commentary by actress Samantha Eggar
Six Featurettes: 
Something Wonderful: The Story of The King And I
The Kings of Broadway
The King and I Stage Version
The King of the Big Screen
The King And I The Royal Archives
Restoring Cinemascope 55
Vintage excerpt from a 1954 television tribute to R&H featuring “Getting To Know You” and “A Puzzlement” performed by Broadway stars Patricia Morison and Yul Brynner
Stills And Audio From Deleted Number: “Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You?” performed by Deborah Kerr and Marni Nixon
Fox Movietone News Including Charity Premiere and Yul Brynner Oscar Clip

South Pacific tells the story of a naïve nurse who falls in love with an older plantation owner on a U.S. occupied South Pacific island.  Featuring the songs “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa my Hair,” and “There’s Nothin’ Like a Dame.” 

The South Pacific Collector’s Edition DVD:
Disc 1:
South Pacific (157 minutes) presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.20:1) enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Commentary by Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization President Ted Chapin and musical theater writer Gerard Alessandrini
Songs-only option
Singalong Karaoke Subtitles

Disc 2:
Extended “Road Show” Version (172 minutes) of South Pacific presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.20:1) enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Commentary by film historian Richard Barrios
Exclusive Featurette: “Making of South Pacific”
Diane Sawyer takes James Michener back to the islands where his Tales Of The South Pacific were born
Vintage excerpt from a 1954 television tribute to R&H featuring “Some Enchanted Evening” and “A Wonderful Guy” Performed By Original Broadway Stars Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza
Fox Movietone News: South Pacific On The Screen – A Perfect Hit, State Department Confers High Honor On South Pacific
Mitzi Gaynor Screen Test
Original Theatrical Trailer

The Sound of Music is perhaps the most popular movie musical ever made and earns a place on most people’s favorite film lists.  It tells the tale of a governess coming to take care of the Von Trapp children and how she falls in love with the dashing Captain Von Trapp.  All is not well as the growing war threatens to destroy them all.  Featuring the classic songs “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” and “Climb Every Mountain.”

The Sound of Music 40th Anniversary Edition DVD:
Disc 1:
Sound of Music presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.20:1) enhanced for 16x9 televisions
A Special Anniversary Introduction by Julie Andrews
Commentary By Robert Wise
Commentary By Julie Andrews And Christopher Plummer
Singalong Karaoke Subtitles

Disc 2:
Special Anniversary Introduction by Julie Andrews
Retrospective documentary “My Favorite Things: Julie Andrews Remembers” Featurette
4 featurettes created for the Anniversary DVD:
Julie Andrews And Christopher Plummer: A Reminiscence Featurette
On Location With The Sound Of Music Featurette
From Liesl To Gretl: A 40th Anniversary Reunion Featurette
When You Know The Notes To Sing - The Sing-A-Long-Sound Of Music
The 1998 A&E Biography: The von Trapp Family: Harmony & Discord
Mia Farrow screen test
Restoration comparison
Storyboard Gallery
Behind-The-Scenes Photos
Lobby Cards, One-Sheets, Trailers And TV Spots

Rodgers and Hammerstein had a miraculous collaboration and this set brings together 6 of their films at Fox.  The set has two films that most would agree are classics – The Sound of Music and The King and I.  In my opinion, the rest are gravy (and a delicious gravy at that). 

Your opinions may vary.  This set is a nice way to purchase an instant collection of R&H from Fox.  However, be advised that this set just collects the versions that they’ve already released.  Those who have not been purchasing them as they came out will definitely want to purchase this set. 

The Rodgers and Hammerstein Collection is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.