Posted by Derek Janssen on 07/04/06 18:08

Frank R.A.J. Maloney wrote:
> On the subject of musical films with questionable racial attitudes, leave us
> not neglect to mention _The King and I_, a film so offensive to the Thais
> that it is forbidden in that country. They seriously object to the portrait
> of the king, the historical analog of whom happens to be a highly revered
> figure in Thai history, as well as to the depiction of Anna Leonowens, her
> influence and her relationship with the king.

While Roger Ebert, OTOH, throws somewhat disturbing tantrums at every
film version for being a "racist Harlequin fantasy" of making the
"barbarian tyrant" King too cuddly and romantic...

(Fact is, the real Anna told *exactly* What She Thought Of His Majesty
in her book, and didn't leave any of her deliberate pro-"Uncle Tom's
Cabin" propaganda out of it--Which explains why the Prince remained
friends but never invited her to the funeral.)

Derek Janssen
ejanss@comcast.net

[Back to original message]