CARMEN JONES (1954)

The trailer for 1954’s CARMEN JONES. Based on the novel by Prosper Mérimée, the Bizet opera, and the Oscar Hammerstein II’s musical (with updated lyrics), the film is written by Harry Kleiner and directed by Otto Preminger (THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM, PORGY AND BESS, ANATOMY OF A MURDER, SKIDOO) and stars Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey, Olga James, Brock Peters, Roy Glenn, Diahann Caroll, Marilyn Horne, Alvin Ailey, and Joe Adams. The plot summary is:

At an all-Black army camp, civilian parachute maker and "hot bundle" Carmen Jones is desired by many of the men. Naturally, she wants Joe, who's engaged to sweet Cindy Lou and about to go into pilot training for the Korean War. Going after him, she succeeds only in getting him into the stockade. While she awaits his release, trouble looms for both of them. Songs from the Bizet opera with modernized lyrics.

CARMEN JONES is currently streaming on The Criterion Channel and is available for rent or purchase on most digital platforms.