MovieChat Forums > Oklahoma! (1956) Discussion > Question about the "Little Wonder"

Question about the "Little Wonder"

posted 8 years ago by lavadome95
2 replies | jump to latest

This past week, I assisted the local university's performance of Oklahoma (I had never seen the musical or movies of it before).

My question is, about the kaleidoscope/picture tube. I still can't determine if there was actually ever a bladed picture tube in the entire play. My take is that the "Little Wonder" that Will purchased in Kansas City was nothing more than that (a peepshow in a kaleidoscope/picture tube). Later on when Jud described such an object to Ali Hakim, but with a spring-loaded blade embedded, methinks when Ali saw Will pull his picture tube out of his bag, Ali mistook it for a weaponized version and warned Aunt Eller to stop Curly from looking into it.

So my understanding is there was never a bladed-version involved, just misunderstanding. Or are there back-notes to the play that actually mentions that Will unknowingly bought a bladed-version of the picture tube? Thanks.

[–] idverser 8 years ago

Jud checked the blade when he bought the picture tube from Will (out of Will's sight). I don't think Will ever knew it was there.

[–] dmnemaine 8 years ago

The 1955 film version and every stage production I've ever seen always have Jud pop the blade out of the viewer out of sight of Will after he buys it. If the production that you assisted with didn't include that bit of business, it was specific to that production, and not representative of the plot in general.