FOX has just released an outstanding line-up of musicals from their vast library, and even without 16:9 enhancement, the overall quality of these releases leaves us eager for FOX to dip into their vaults to find more treasures.  "The King & I" has received a stunning transfer.  The fleshtones are excellent and contrast is nearly flawless!  The correct aspect ratio is intact, appearing to be from the same THX transfer as the recent laserdisc.  The dolby digital 5.1 offers much more spatial activity over the standard pro-logic mix, with better clarity in its highs and lows.   While the rear speaker activity is typically passive, it comes to life for musical sections where needed.  The insert offers lyrics to three of the most popular selections, but there's also a subtitle option within the dvd menu.

While the THX laserdisc looks and sounds terrific, it pales in comparison to what's achieved in this dvd release.  Everything is superior!  The laserdisc had fine detail, but this dvd allows the viewer to recognize much more, without compromising sharpness!  From the cornfields pictured in the opening number "What a Beautiful Morning" to the end, everything's perfect!  The dolby digital 5.1 sound offers even more definition than in the standard pro-logic track, with rear speakers  adding greatly to the atmosphere.

While the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound offers enough reason alone to purchase this dvd, the picture quality suffers due to oversaturation during chapter 30:"Happy Talk".   Even the stunning laserdisc had a real hurtle in maintaining the integrity of this scene due to intentional obscuring of the lens during this musical number, but on dvd, colors aren't as well balanced for some reason here.  Other than in this number, the fleshtones, saturations, and contrast are fine.  As just mentioned, the dolby digital 5.1 sound offers excellent spatial quality, bringing the viewer/listener into the center of everything.  "South Pacific" comprises the largest number of   terrific tunes from Rodgers and Hammerstein, and this dvd perfectly represents them.

For reasons unexplained, "Carousel" is one of those rare oddities, a wonderful, moving drama from Rodgers & Hammerstein, almost completely forgotten at the box-office.  Borrowing elements from "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Our Town", the story takes a while to get going, but when it finally does, it's a powerful experience.  The wonderful score, featuring such great songs as "If I Loved You" and "You'll Never Walk Alone", is complimented with this Dolby Digital 5.0 score.  While the rear speaker directional effects aren't as effective in creating atmospheric effects as other musicals in the line-up, it's quite effective "at times".  The letterboxing is accurate, and the fleshtones and contrast are flawless, offering stunning clarity!

Jeanne Crain and Dana Andrews star in "State Fair", an early Rodgers & Hammerstein musical that is almost Capraesque in its sentiment and humour.  Centered around a State Fair in a midwest town, there's ample room for various characters and competition. 

The dvd transfer looks extremely sharp.  While fleshtones are generally consistent, the contrast could be improved.  The dolby digital mono sound is unremarkable.