Carousel (1956): Cast, Box Office, Plot & Where to Watch
Carousel is a 1956 music romantic film directed by Henry King, starring Gordon MacRae as Billy Bigelow, Shirley Jones and Audrey Christie. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and earned $1,104 worldwide. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 8m (128 min)
- Director
- Henry King
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Carousel About?
The premise of Carousel without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Billy Bigelow, dead for 15 years, wanders outside the pearly gates. After relinquishing his chance to return to Earth for a day, he learns his wife Julie (née Jordan) and his unseen child are in trouble. He seeks the gatekeeper’s permission to go back, telling his story as a plea. The film adapts Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Broadway musical.
Carousel Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- remake
- based on stage musical
- prologue
- heaven
- flashback
- singer
- singing
- song
- dancer
- dancing
- love
- name calling
+38 more Show fewer
- fired from a job
- apology
- crying woman
- money
- holding hands
- fisherman
- sense of smell
- fish
- marriage proposal
- marriage
- woman hugs a tree
- bench
- told in flashback
- reference to a cotton mill
- whistling
- braggart
- womanizer
- reference to coney island
- employer employee relationship
- policeman
- man with sideburns
- mustached man
- reference to bangor maine
- falling in love
- star the celestial object
- reflection in water
- worrying
- kiss
- flash forward
- joblessness
- cousin cousin relationship
- june the month
- falling into water
- flowers
- sailboat
- sailor
- male barefeet
- dancing on a roof
Where to Watch Carousel
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Carousel Cast & Characters
Gordon MacRae leads the cast as Billy Bigelow, with Shirley Jones as Julie Jordan and Audrey Christie as Mrs. Mullin. Directed by Henry King; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Henry King
- Gordon MacRae as Billy Bigelow
-
Shirley Jones as Julie Jordan -
Audrey Christie as Mrs. Mullin - John Dehner as Mr. Bascombe
Also Starring in Carousel
· 8 more- Claramae Turner Cousin Nettie
- Cameron Mitchell Jigger Craigin
- Gene Lockhart Starkeeper / Dr. Selden
- Susan Luckey Louise Bigelow
- Barbara Ruick Carrie Pipperidge
- William LeMassena Heavenly Friend
- Jacques d'Amboise Louise's 'Starlight Carnival' Dancing Partner
- Robert Rounseville Mr. Enoch Snow
Carousel Plot Summary
What happens in Carousel from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Boothbay Harbor, Maine, Billy Bigelow, a rough-talking carousel barker, and Julie Jordan, a young mill worker, find themselves falling in love against the odds. Their romance turns rocky when they lose their jobs: Billy is fired after paying too much attention to Julie, riling the jealous carousel owner Mrs. Mullin, and Julie is dismissed for bending the curfew set by the wealthy mill owner Mr. Bascombe. Yet their bond grows stronger as they imagine a different life together.
Full summary
The whole story of Carousel, scene by scene
Carousel Box Office
Carousel grossed $1,104 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.1K
Carousel Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Carousel.
How Well Do You Know Carousel?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What is Billy Bigelow's occupation at the beginning of the film?
Carousel Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel” and “Carrossel”.
- Also known as
-
- Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel
- Carrossel
- Karussell
- Карусель
- Karusszel
- Въртележка
- 天上人间
- Carrusel
- 회전목마
Seen Carousel?
Movies Like Carousel
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Carnival, Lovely to Look At and Broadway Melody of 1938.
Carousel FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office and post-credit scenes of Carousel, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Carousel?
Carousel runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).
When was Carousel released?
Carousel was released on February 16, 1956.
Who directed Carousel?
Carousel was directed by Henry King.
More films by Henry King Who is in the cast of Carousel?
Carousel stars Gordon MacRae as Billy Bigelow, Shirley Jones as Julie Jordan and Audrey Christie as Mrs. Mullin, among 12 credited actors.
Where can I watch Carousel?
In the US, Carousel is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Carousel make at the box office?
Carousel grossed $1,104 worldwide.
Does Carousel have a post-credit scene?
No. Carousel has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
