Interrupted Melody (1955)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Curtis Bernhardt

Writers:

Marjorie Lawrence (life story)
William Ludwig (written by) ...

Release Date:

25 March 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Musical

Plot:

The film chronicles Australian-born opera star Marjorie Lawrence's success, her battle with polio, and her eventual career comeback.

Plot Keywords:

Opera | Polio | Beautiful Woman

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Glenn Ford	...	Dr. Thomas 'Tom' King
Eleanor Parker	...	Marjorie 'Margie' Lawrence
Roger Moore	...	Cyril Lawrence
Cecil Kellaway	...	Bill Lawrence
Peter Leeds	...	Dr. Ed Ryson
Evelyn Ellis	...	Clara
Walter Baldwin	...	Jim Owens
Ann Codee	...	Madame Gilly
Leopold Sachse	...	Himself
Stephen Bekassy	...	Count Claude des Vignaux
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sandy Descher	...	Suzie (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-8 | Sweden:Btl | Argentina:Atp

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Greer Garson was originally set to play the lead role of Marjorie Lawrence, but the film was postponed for about one year. Garson wanted the part very badly and researched the role extensively. One month after she left MGM (the studio filming the movie), Eleanor Parker was cast.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Marjorie 'Margie' Lawrence takes a same-day return trip by steam train from her merino sheep farm at Winchelsea to Geelong, she does so on Anzac Day. At 4 minutes 12 seconds, the sign says "Friday April 25". The first Anzac Day was on 25th April 1916. Friday 25th April 1924 is the only possible Friday Anzac Day.

Quotes:

Marjorie Lawrence: [drinking champagne] Tonight I love the whole world and I want them to know it.
Dr. Thomas King: And tomorrow you'll have a monumental hangover.
Marjorie Lawrence: That's the advantage of going out with doctors.

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Soundtrack:

Samson and Delilah

Moving biography of opera singer Marjorie Lawrence...Eleanor Parker in another excellent performance...

Eleanor Parker is one of my favorite actresses from the '40s and '50s and does a marvelous job here, lip-synching to perfection various Wagnerian opera arias (as well as Puccini and Verdi). The storyline is somewhat similar to that of Jane Froman's career in that both were singers who, although paralyzed, continued with their singing careers and entertained servicemen as well. Glenn Ford lends solid support as the understanding, long-suffering husband who is always there when she needs his moral support. Roger Moore has a small role as her brother.

Everything moves smoothly under Curtis Bernhardt's direction. The opera segments are beautifully staged and filmed (in gorgeous technicolor, of course). Parker demonstrates her acting skills to the fullest and Eileen Farrell does a superb job on the vocal dubbing.

Well worth your time--inspirational and enjoyable even if you're not an opera lover. Filmed in wide screen technique, it loses something on video showings.