Opened: October 11, 1955

Directed by: Fred Zinnemann

Starring: Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Gene Nelson, Gloria Grahame, Charlotte Greenwood, Rod Steiger, Eddie Albert, James Whitmore, Barbara Lawrence, Jay C. Flippen, Roy Barcroft, Marc Platt, James Mitchell & Bambi Linn

The first musical co-written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma! remains relevant with its topics of gender and abuse.

Set shortly before Oklahoma was made a state, Laurey Williams (Shirley Jones) is being courted by cowboy Curly McLain (Gordon MacRae) and the bad-tempered farmhand Judy Fry (Rod Steiger). Both men want to take Laurey to the box social where the cowboys and farmers tensions are high.

The music stands the test of time with the title song and “People Will Say We’re In Love” being amongst the most memorable. Both while singing and acting, MacRae and Jones have strong chemistry.

Ado Annie (Gloria Grahame) is a fun character testing her feelings between two men, while Laurey is interesting to watch as she tries to avoid Jud’s abusiveness.

Final say: I cain’t say no. ★★★★☆