Anna and the King of Siam

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Anna and the King of Siam ★★★½ 1946

Splendid adaptation, from the book by Margaret Landon, about the true life adventures of 33-year-old English widow Anna Leonowens. In 1862 Anna and her son travelled to the exotic kingdom of Siam to educate the harem and children of the king. Dunne is splendid as the strong-willed governess as is Harrison (in his first American film) as the authoritarian eastern ruler. Remade as the musical “The King and I.” 128m/B VHS, DVD . Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison, Linda Darnell, Lee J. Cobb, Gale Sondergaard, Mikhail Rasumny, Dennis Hoey, Richard Lyon, John Abbott; D: John Cromwell; W: Sally Benson, Talbot Jennings; C: Arthur C. Miller; M: Bernard Herrmann. Oscars '46: Art Dir./Set Dec., B&W, B&W Cinematog.