6 Surprising Behind-the-Scenes Facts About ‘The King and I’ (1956)

Going to live with a king in a distant land is a dream many girls share. It’s not only a romantic fantasy but also one adorned with lavish dresses and sparkling jewels. However, the odds of such a scenario are quite slim—unless, of course, you’re Anna Leonowens in The King and I.

The King and I is an award-winning movie musical, based on an equally celebrated Broadway production, that premiered in 1956. The story centers around a recently widowed Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr), who travels to Siam to become the governess and tutor for the children of King Mongkut (Yul Brynner). In Siam, Anna faces numerous challenges, including the king’s stubborn nature, his large family, and her personal journey of self-discovery after her husband’s demise.

In addition to the drama within the film, there’s an array of fascinating facts surrounding its production. Here are six intriguing tidbits about The King and I that you might find surprising.

Did you know that The King and I was originally a Broadway musical before becoming a film? With music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the musical debuted at the St. James Theater on March 29, 1951. It ran until March 20, 1954, with a total of 1,246 performances. The production was revived on Broadway multiple times, including runs from April 1977 to December 1978, December 1984 to June 1985, and March 1996 to February 1998. The most recent revival occurred from March 2015 to June 2016 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, totaling 499 performances.

Actor Yul Brynner originated the role of King Mongkut on Broadway and later reprised it in the 1956 film adaptation. His portrayal earned him both an Oscar and a Tony Award. Brynner continued to revisit the role in the 1977 and 1985 stage revivals, as well as in 13 episodes of the 1972 non-musical television series Anna and the King, co-starring Samantha Eggar.

Deborah Kerr, who played Anna, faced physical challenges during the filming. She wore costumes weighing about 40 pounds and under the hot studio lights, she lost more than 12 pounds due to excessive sweating. Her experience led her to nickname herself “The melting Miss Kerr.”

Originally, production considered casting Maureen O’Hara as Anna Leonowens because she could sing. However, Richard Rodgers, one of the composers, declined the idea, leading to Deborah Kerr being cast instead.

Interestingly, Anna Leonowens was a real person. She was a travel writer in the 1860s, best known for her 1870 memoir The English Governess at the Siamese Court, which recounted her experiences pretending to be a British governess in the Royal Court of Siam, now Thailand. However, unlike the romantic depiction in the story, she never fell in love with the King. Leonowens lived until 1915, passing away at the age of 83.

One widely unknown fact is that Deborah Kerr did not sing in the film. All of Anna’s songs were recorded by Marni Nixon, a skilled singer. Nixon meticulously followed Kerr’s mouth movements to ensure there were no inconsistencies. Besides dubbing for Kerr, Nixon also lent her voice to Rita Moreno in West Side Story.

These behind-the-scenes stories offer a fascinating look into the making of The King and I, a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences with its charming tale and memorable performances.

Source: moviestillsdb.com/20th Century Studios