The Movie Musical "Carousel" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rodgers and Hammerstein

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein were famous for creating musicals during the 1940s and 1950s. They met in 1916 when Oscar was writing shows at Columbia and Richard wanted to meet the author of the show he had seen.
In 1927 Hammerstein provided a composer with a book and lyrics which was developed into the musical "Showboat".
Rogers teamed up with Lorenz Hart and they were partners from 1918 to 1943 when an emotional problem that Hart encountered caused him to walk out.
Rogers and Hammerstein teamed up in 1943 with "Oklahoma" followed by Carousel"" in 1945. Together their awards included 34 Tony awards, 15 Academy Awards, 2 Pulitzer prizes, 2 Grammy Awards and 2 Emmy Awards.

Answer: Jordan

Julie Jordan, one of the main characters in the movie, is one of two young mill workers visiting the town's amusement park. Talk about whirlwind courtships!
Within two months after meeting the Carousel's barker Billy, Julie has married him. With no money the couple moves in with Julie's cousin and she becomes pregnant. Unfortunatly, Billy turns to crime and is killed, leaving Julie to raise her daughter alone.

Answer: Shirley Jones

After Shirley graduated from high school, she went to New York to audition for the casting director of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Shirley's beatiful voice won her a part as a nurse in the Broadway production of "South Pacific".
Her first film was "Oklahoma!" In 1955 she starred as Laurie, co-starring with the same leading man in both "Oklahoma!"and "Carousel".
Too bad so many people only remember her as the Mom on TV's "Partridge Family" which also starred her step-son David Cassidy. Shirley Jones was indeed named after Shirley Temple.

Answer: Carrie Pipperidge

Carrie always make me laugh. She is such a 'blond'. Right after Julie talks to her about Billy, Carrie describes her man who nearly knocks her flat on the floor of the room, because he is a smelly fisherman.

Answer: Mill worker

The girls only briefly talk about the mill in the beginning of the movie when Carrie is singing about Mr. Snow.
Julie doesn't keep her job, as she is told by the foreman of the mill that if she doesn't return by curfew, she won't have a job in the morning. Love wins out as she stays with Billy. She would have been better off keeping her job!
In the original play written by Ferenc Molnar, Julie is a maid, but this is changed for the movie version.

Answer: Barbara Ruick

Carrie marries Mr. Snow and is content with being his wife. She ends up wearing the pants in the family too!
Music played a very important in Barbara Ruick's life.
She was married to John Williams from 1956 until her death in March 1974. Yes, the John Williams who is the famous composer of "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones" (etc).
Her son, Joseph Williams, was the lead singer of Toto from 1986-1989 and the singing voice of the Adult Simba in Disney's "The Lion King" (1994).
Her son, Mark Towner Williams is a recording artist/music producer. He has recorded several CDs under the name Lionel's Dad. He is also the drummer/music director for the music group Air Supply.

Answer: Bigelow

Billy is a carousel barker, and Julie falls head over heels for him. They get married right away, but Billy who can't get used to the idea of being a married man, treats Julie badly and is very discontent.
When Julie finds out she's pregnant, Billy gets excited and says he will try his best to be a great father. But then, tragedy strikes. Billy is killed while trying to rob the owner of the mill. Years later, when Billy is in Heaven, the Starkeeper gives him the opportunity to go back to Earth just for one day to set things straight.

Answer: Gordon MacRae

Gordon starred in "Oklahoma!" (1955) and "Carousel" (1956), both written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and both with Shirley Jones. MacRae conquered alcoholism in the 1970s and went on to counsel other alcoholics.
You might remember his wife, Sheila who starred with Jackie Gleason in the "Honeymooners" and their daughter Meredith MacRae who starred int the TV series, "Petticoat Junction".

Answer: Louise

Louise is played by Susan Luckey. The production of "Carousel", was a major break for Luckey. She is cast in the role of the daughter of Julie and Billy. This presents her in a dance sequence that it is one of the highpoints of the movie.
I remember her mostly later she when played Zenetta in the movie version of "The Music Man" after touring with the Original National Company in 1958.

Answer: They have nine children.

Mr. Snow and Carrie have many children - nine altogether. Julie has only one daughter, who is very free spirited, as opposed to Carrie's children.