MovieChat Forums > Oklahoma! (1956) Discussion > Howard Keel was robbed!

Howard Keel was robbed!

posted 16 years ago by jpseacadets
21 replies | jump to latest

When I heard they were going to make a movie out of Broadway's most
celebrated musical I immediately thought of singer Howard Keel for
Curly. John Raitt was the only possible other choice, but he had no
career in movies. When I heard Gordon MacRae was selected, I all but
cried. What dopes, I decided. Not only was Keel born to play Curly,
but could sing rings around MacRae. Also, Keel exceeds MacRae in charm,
presence, and all-around likability. But no...they turned to Doris
Day's little fella who could barely act. OKLAHOMA could have been a
much-better film with a stronger leading man like Howard. A stupid
mistake to overlook him. As bad as not having Julie Andrews play
Eliza Doolittle. What do others think?

- - SoundTrak

[–] justoldbill 16 years ago

Howard Keel was under exclusive contract to MGM at the time and completely unavailable. Besides, he had originated the role of Curley in the London production of OKLAHOMA!, so R&H were in a position to know if it was he they wanted for the film. Evidently not, certainly not enough to pay MGM what they no doubt would have asked for. Gordon MacRae is just fine and looks much better opposite Shirley Jones, the one piece of casting R&H seemed to have decided on early in the game.

[–] jpseacadets 16 years ago

I think Keel was loaned out to make CALAMITY JANE for Warner Bros.
So his contract at MGM wasn't so iron clad.

- - SoundTrak

[–] laurence01 16 years ago

I think you will find that feelings between MGM, and WARNER. Were a lot better than they were between MGM, and FOX.

[–] jpseacadets 16 years ago

Do you know this for sure? Remember, they chose Audrey Hapburn over Julie
Andrews to play Eliza...eek!

- - SoundTrak

[–] laurence01 16 years ago

I'm refering to the differing informaton given by both studios about "the wizard of oz". IE MGM saying that use of "Temple" was refused permision by FOX. But FOX saying that MGM said she wasn't good enough and never made an offer. FOX also said that if they had they would have allowd her to do it.

[–] Harold_Robbins 16 years ago

The reasons why Audrey Hepburn was cast as Eliza have been well-documented.

"Stone-cold sober I find myself absolutely fascinating!"---Katharine Hepburn

[–] justoldbill 16 years ago

Although she couldn't sing as well as Howard Keel or Gordon MacRae.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] jpseacadets 15 years ago

This is a musical, remember? MacRae's voice cannot compare to Keel's. Even
the cast album would have sounded better, sold more. Age? Keel is less than 2
years older than GM! Since Shirley Jones is 13 years younger than GM...where
do you get age compatability?

- - SoundTrak

[–] laurence01 9 years ago

the cast album would have sounded better, sold more

I take it you do realise that at the time, the film soundtrack of Oklahoma was one of the biggest selling albums of all time. I doubt that the album could possibly have sold more than it did whoever got the part.

Let Zygons Be Zygons.

[–] funkyfry 15 years ago

I agree Keel is better than MacRae, but MacRae did a really good job in this film so I don't really think it could be significantly better in that department. Gloria Grahame is the obvious casting mistake of this film.

Did I not love him, Cooch? MY OWN FLESH I DIDN'T LOVE BETTER!!! But he had to say 'Nooooooooo'

[–] LoreleiLee 15 years ago

I love Howard Keel, but I think that Gordon MacRae gave a tenderness to the character or Curly which complemented Shirley Jones' sweet and vulnerable portrayal of Laurey. I also think that MacRae's voice was capable of more tenderness than Keel's and actually prefer it for the score of Oklahoma.

I do wonder what Keel would have brought to the role of Billy Bigelow though....

A girl with brains ought to do something with them besides think

[–] movibuf1962 15 years ago

>>I do wonder what Keel would have brought to the role of Billy Bigelow though...<<

Well said. I think the problem with Howard Keel as Curly has nothing to do with singing ability or age (good lord- the ageist comments that constantly permeate these message boards is sickening!), it's the character. He simply wouldn't have been convincing as the innocent, sweet, and slightly ornery Curly. Keel's best roles always had a touch of the rogue, the cocky and wicked (Petruchio in KATE, the Wazir in KISMET, Ravenal in SHOW BOAT, Adam in SEVEN BRIDES, etc.). I would've loved to see him in CAROUSEL as Billy. Perfect hinsdight casting. Gordon MacRae, much closer to Shirley Jones in height and winsomeness, is just fine in the role. And his singing is superb.

[–] gbennett5 15 years ago

Completely disagree. First, McCrae had a fantastic voice and actually
a richer voice (Keel, a wonderful baritone, was ALL baritone). Plus,
Keel was too old. McCrae was also a far more senstive actor, although
this was more obvious in "Carousel." McCrae was the best choice. Get
over it.

[–] DJMan-51 15 years ago

It seems that Keel played several roles on screen that Alfred Drake originated on the stage, like they were doppelgangers or sumpin', so this would have been one more.

[–] bradford-1 10 years ago

Anybody know why neither Alfred Drake nor John Raitt had movie careers to speak of?

"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"

[–] mekbir (1) 4 months ago

If you ever heard Keel (even in his 60’s at a London Royal Performance) sing out “OOO … OKLA … Homa ….” How could you say he wasn’t Curly. His lean build suited that of a cowboy rather than the soft, well fed look of MacRae! I liked Gordon MacRae but Howard Keel was a better Curly!

[–] fotomatt-2 10 years ago

My opinion is that Gordon MacRae was perfect in the role and had great chemistry with
Shirley Jones. But that is my opinion. I am also a fan of Howard Keel.

But the reality is, that Howard Keel made 3 films in a row while Oklahoma was in production. These are 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Jupiter's Darling, and Kismet. Other responses here
speculate that MGM would not loan him or the producers wouldn't want to pay MGM to acquire
his services. The simple truth is that he was a very busy man.

[–] StrongRex (1297) 5 years ago

I like Gordon MacRae just fine as Curly - Howard doesn't need to play every leading man in a musical, he was already in Annie Get Your Gun and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, and probably a few others I haven't seen. But I DO wish Betty Hutton had been Ado Annie instead of Gloria Grahame.

[–] marktayloruk (2385) a year ago

I'd have cast Elvis Presley.