Carmen Jones

1954
Approved
1h 45m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

6.1K

YOUR RATING

Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones (1954)

Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Play trailer2:46

2 Videos

46 Photos

Classic Musical Tragedy Drama Musical Romance

Contemporary version of the Bizet opera, with new lyrics and an African-American cast.Contemporary version of the Bizet opera, with new lyrics and an African-American cast.Contemporary version of the Bizet opera, with new lyrics and an African-American cast.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

6.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 5 wins & 8 nominations total

Videos2

Trailer 2:46

Carmen Jones

Video 6:12

Hollywood's Shared History with Broadway

Video 6:12

Hollywood's Shared History with Broadway

Photos46

Top cast27

Edit

Harry Belafonte

Dorothy Dandridge

Carmen Jones

Pearl Bailey

Frankie

Olga James

Cindy Lou

Joe Adams

Husky Miller

Brock Peters

Sergeant Brown
(as Broc Peters)

Roy Glenn

Rum Daniels

Nick Stewart

Dink Franklin

Diahann Carroll

Myrt

LeVern Hutcherson

Joe
(voice)
(as Le Vern Hutcherson)

Marilyn Horne

Carmen Jones
(voice)
(as Marilynn Horne)

Marvin Hayes

Husky Miller
(voice)

Alvin Ailey

Dance Soloist
(uncredited)

DeForest Covan

Trainer
(uncredited)

Joseph E. Crawford

Dink Franklin
(singing voice)
(uncredited)

Carmen De Lavallade

Dance Soloist
(uncredited)

Bernie Hamilton

Reporter
(uncredited)

Margaret Lancaster

Singing Voice
(uncredited)

Director
- Otto Preminger
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
Eartha Kitt was offered the role of Carmen, but the studio wanted her singing voice to be dubbed, so that her character would have an operatic voice. The same offer was made to Harry Belafonte and Diahann Carroll who accepted, but Kitt refused, wanting to use her natural voice. Dubbing was not required for Pearl Bailey, whose own voice suited her comedic songs.

Goofs
The story takes place circa 1944, but all of the women's fashions and hairstyles are strictly 1954; when Carmen and Frankie are talking outside the Chicago Pawn Shop, 1950s-era automobiles passing by can clearly be seen reflected in the showcase window.

Quotes
Carmen Jones: I always did want to see the big town.
Frankie: You got your wish, honey. Somethin' tells me Chicago's gonna be real good for you.
Myrt: Somethin' tells me you gonna be real *bad* for Chicago.

Crazy credits
The opening credits and end title are set around a flaming rose.

Connections
Featured in Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood (1998)

Soundtracks
Send Them Along
(uncredited)
Music by Georges Bizet
Lyrics Oscar Hammerstein II
Sung by chorus

User reviews74

Review

Featured review

6/10

It's not for everyone's taste....

This is the story of a soldier, Joe (Harry Belafonte) and a fiery lady, Carmen (Dorothy Dandridge) and their unlikely relationship which begins with Joe trying to transport Carmen to the brig...and ends up with the pair falling in love.

If you are looking to see a classic opera translated into more modern times and with entirely new lyrics, then "Carmen Jones" is definitely for you. However, regardless of its all-black cast, this is clearly a film that is for very select folks! You hate opera well then the film will be a tough sell! As for me, I would have enjoyed the music OR the story. The total package didn't hold my interest. But this does NOT mean the film is bad or poorly made...it's not. It's all a matter of personal taste.