The Dream Ballet! -James Mitchell, Shirley Jones, Bambi Lynn

[MyDancingwiththestar]

R.I.P. James Mitchell

[varadero1839]

@MyDancingwiththestar En Paz Descance! He was just wonderful, and thanks for your comment!

[smarty4919]

Boy. Nobody sings like this anymore =(

[varadero1839]

@smarty4919 Ms. Jones is so beautiful and talented! I fully agree with you! Thanks for your comment!

[Sakja]

I did Oklahoma when I was a teen. I've loved it ever since. Have to watch every few years.

[varadero1839]

@Sakja And what better way than to see and hear it performed by these 3 amazing talents! I'm very happy to hear from you, and glad you enjoyed this! Thanks so much!

[mikeduluthcanada5]

Thanks Varadero for th eOne Alone" - Cyd Charisse, James Mitchell Video Both are fantastic and I say again All My Children should show one of your clips to its fans so they see the other James Mitchell. I am going to have to check out how many movies he was in as a dancer.

[varadero1839]

@mikeduluthcanada5 Hi! Delighted that you liked the other clip! I agree that AMC folks should be aware of his incredible talent, aside from acting. Keep me in the loop, but right now I'm having computer issues with trying to send some of his other triumphs. Will keep you informed! Thanks so much!

[mikeduluthcanada5]

When All My Children ends they should show a clip of this dream dance to show

all the soaps viewers what a great talent james Mitchell was (Palmer ).

One of my favorite movies with the always great Shirley Jones.

Great also to see Bambi Lynn.

[varadero1839]

@mikeduluthcanada5 Thanks so much! I've only seen a few clips of Mr. Mitchell on All My Children. I'm more familiar with him in his Hollywood performances. I'm sorry he's gone. Both Bambi Lynn and Shirley Jones are brilliant!

[madamerotten]

Where can one purchase this "Elixir of Egypt?"

[varadero1839]

@madamerotten I believe this, as well as numerous other "herbal" remedies may be purchased in the "South of Market Street" area of San Francisco.

[peasblossom1973]

@madamerotten

Lol!!

[TheMuckypup100]

Our drama group did Oklahoma and I was laurey. The show was a big success

[windstorm1000]

I love this dream sequence. Its so haunting--singing, melody, visuals, dance. We sort of ride with Laurie into her dream. It sort of stays in one's memory doesn't it.

[varadero1839]

@windstorm1000 Thank you so much for your mention! This one, staying in my dreams, has always been my happiness! Also, seeing the brilliant James Mitchell and elegant Bambi Lynn made this a "dream come true!' Shirley Jones as the opener just was icing on the cake! My best wishes to you!

[mrgrtbfrd]

she had a wonderful talent- i've heard this literally hundreds of times, and it's very difficult for the soprano to not to flat or sharp out. She was also so extraordinarily beautiful. 

[varadero1839]

@mrgrtbfrd I have to agree with you on all counts. Shirley was really superb, and a master of her craft! Thanks so much for your message.

[windstorm1000]

@mrgrtbfrd Totally agree--one of the best sopranos in movie/Broadway history--has all the qualities that make one want to listen to her more. Nobody like Ms. Jones.

[ladyshkspre]

When I was younger, I used to leave the room for a bathroom or sandwich break during it the dream sequence--I just felt it was too long and awkward. Now it is one of my favorite scenes. I have to wonder though (seeing as this was during the time when technicolor musicals were the norm and it was standard fare for actors to be "triple threats") were Gordon MacRae & Shirley Jones NOT talented dancers? Is that why there are professional dancers portraying their characters in this scene?

[BernardProfitendieu]

@ladyshkspre the dream double idea was in the original broadway production (and all later productions, too) - that was the vision to show a separate dream world ... so we can suppose that even if GM and SJ were the best classical dancers in the US, they still would have used others for the dream sequences. I think it works really well andthis scene is part of what makes this movie hold up

I think there's a similar sequence in Carousel - R&H and Agnes DeMille must've like the way this looked

[Zeppolino100]

The ENTIRE ballet sequence is one of the most beautiful and powerful sequences in movie dance history. As a visual artist, I also find it visually rich and exciting.

[varadero1839]

@Zeppolino100 I'm honored by your comments! Visually, watching this is like being somehow enchanted! Thank you again for your post, and having noticed this!

[alexalex3131]

Just as Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein were a gift to the world, Shirley Jones was a gift to Rodgers and Hammerstein in two wonderful films.

[fredmila]

This sequence is so good: the choreography, set design, photography, music and dancers. The song Out of my Dreams is the best in the musical.

I think they had to put "dream doubles" for Jones and McRae as they were not professional dancers. Maybe that was the whole reason for the dream scene.

BTW, she should not have taken drugs before going to sleep.

[varadero1839]

@fredmila First and foremost, I agree with your final message about taking drugs prior to sleeping! That was a terrible choice! Both superb singers, neither Shirley Jones nor Gordon MacRae were trained dancers. They were both, given the era, replaced by the best two "dream doubles" ever of that day! Their parts in the ballet were played by sensational James Mitchell and Ms. Bambi Lynn who were both extraordinary dancers, as here shown! Thanks so much for your notice!

[derblae52]

I COME BACK TO THIS VIDEO EVERY SO OFTEN WHEN I NEED A MUSICAL FIX. FIRST I ADORE SHIRLEY JONES. COLD WAR HEROINE WITH JUST RIGHT MIXTURE OF AMERICAN STUBBORNNESS AND VULNERABILITY. AGNES DE MILLE'S CHOREOGRAPHY CAUSED ME TO YELL IN ECSTASY. ROMANTIC AND ELEGANT.

[varadero1839]

@derblae52 Dear derblae52, I love Shirley too! She's still probably one of the best in the business. What an amazing performer! Certain you recognized the talents of both Mr. Mitchell, and lovely Bambi Lynn! They'd have made choreographer Agnes DeMille very proud indeed! Thanks so much for you mention!!

[Psalm15LifeGoal]

Hey, the door was open when she sat down, but when she walks past it's shut! But I guess it is just a dream anyway though... =)

[henrypeckstv]

just saw OKLAHOMA on the big screen....the most stunning dance sequence ever filmed! too bad i couldn't find the whole sequence.

[vantarinitel]

Ya know, I never realized this was a ballet until now... I watched this as a kid all the time, and liked it, never realized it was a ballet until now. I feel kinda dumb.

[nighteowl]

Be at peace, Mr. Mitchell. Thank you for all the lovely memories and entertainment...

[mojopo]

My condolences to Mr. Mitchell's loved ones.

[misshair]

RIP Mr. Mitchell. A class act. :)

[mikey42]

Farewell, James. You were a marvelous human being.

[nvpublictv]

God bless James Mitchell! One of the most beautiful and touching dream sequences ever... This is my absolute favorite part of the classic Oklahoma, and his grace is such a big reason for it. (And bless him for sharing that grace with All My Children for all those years.) RIP, Mr. Mitchell!!

(And folks, take COPD and pneumonia seriously. It's a miracle and blessing he was able to make it to 89 with it.)

[Blurgle3]

RIP James Mitchell. What a talent.

[Sakja]

@Blurgle3 Hear, hear.

[EricMontreal22]

RIP James Mitchell--a perfect Dream Curley

[mikemckv]

Monumental. Well done.

[mikey42]

Beautiful and haunting. I love you, Shirley Jones!

[lisaadamson1123]

Awesome and classic movie.

[9aspengold5]

One of the most beautiful scenes of the movies, with of course great music

[TheReturnOfStephan]

Thanks for posting!

I've ALWAYS loved this song!!:)