The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack)

This so-called expanded CD of THE KING AND I is not nearly as good as it could have been mainly because the source used for this CD is plagued with Foley effects and dialogue which don't make much sense separated from the visual elements of the film and actually detract from the musical enjoyment of this great score.

The original discrete stereophonic "music and vocal only" separation soundtracks for the KING AND I (also CAROUSEL, OKLAHOMA and SOUTH PACIFIC) are in the 20th. Century Fox studio vaults and could have been made available to the producers for these re-masterings if anyone had cared enough to ask. In fact, the deluxe laserdisc of THE KING AND I contained a CD of about 76 minutes including the complete vocal score and Alfred Newman's excellent underscoring, all completely free of extraneous sound effects and dialogue. Why weren't these tracks used for this CD release? These performances are important enough to use the best and cleanest sound source in existence and...Read more

This new remastering job for the film soundtrack of THE KING AND I is long-overdue, but has been well worth the wait. Angel Broadway have outdone themselves.

The CD features all the musical numbers (including those cut from the film), some of the background incidental music as well as some of the dance music. But the highlight is the complete music for "The Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet is included (oh happy day).

This score (like many of the R&H movie-versions) features a lot of dubbed voices. Deborah Kerr's was dubbed by popular Hollywood ghost-singer Marni Nixon (who would go on to dub for her again the following year in 'An Affair to Remember'). Carlos Rivas (who played Lun-Tha), had voice double Reuben Fuentes, and Rita Moreno's (who played the tragic Tuptim) voice was dubbed by Leona Gordon (despite that on many occasions Moreno has insisted that it is her own voice).

Terry Saunders remains a revelation as Lady Thiang, singing a heartfelt "Something Wonderful", and...Read more

Of the three recent EMI-Angel R&H film soundtrack reissues, I find that this reissue of the King & I soundtrack is the best-executed. The King and I shows a new maturing of the R&H element and this superb 1956 film adaptation more than certainly does it justice. The superb soundtrack presented here includes the complete score, along with some of Alfred Newman's underscoring, and boasts splendid performances by Marni Nixon and Yul Brynner. And of course the orchestra is sumptuous and properly lush, enveloping us in sweltering renditions of some of Rodgers' most heartfelt melodies.

I won't reiterate the critic-proof performances here. Other reviewers have covered them elsewhere. Nixon as a voice-dubber is in her element as Anna, and portrays her characterfully. Brynner is in his element as the King, as firm, commanding and authoritative as we've always known him to be. This performance shows him at his best, ripe, fresh and mature. Leona Gordon and Reuben Fuentes shine as...Read more