From the mid 1940s through much of the 1950s, a familiar but strange genre were the films about mega-successful women who ultimately seem to pay the price for fame. In films like "Incendiary Blonde" and "So This is Love", the heroines die and in others, such as "Love Me or Leave Me" or "Interrupted Melody", events conspire to destroy the careers of these women...and they work hard to somehow overcome. The movies are, by and large, very inspiring and well made...but what a strange trend, indeed!
"Interrupted Melody" is about the rather tragic illness that opera diva Marjorie Lawrence experienced at the height of her career. She contracts polio and, at least for a time, gives up her career. Can she manage to sing even though she'll likely never walk again?
Eleanor Parker was a great and stupid choice at the same time. It was great because she was a fine actress, looks just lovely and really did well in singing some of the movie's tunes (how many, isn't very clear). But, you have to shake your head in that this Oscar-nominated performance was of an AUSTRALIAN lady...and Parker sounds about as Australian as Charlie Chan! She doesn't even attempt to do the right accent and you wonder why the studio didn't use coaches to elicit the correct voice....especially since they did such a great job in having her sing credibly.
So is it any good? Well, some may depend on your love of opera. I have recently begun attending operas and enjoy it....and could hear that the voice work was incredible. I especially loved who ever sang the aria from "La Boheme" near the beginning. Additionally, the acting, sets and film look great. Quite entertaining and my only regreta are Ms. Parker's accent...or, should I say, lack of accent as well as the film looking very 1950s despite being set in the 1930s and 40s.
"Interrupted Melody" is about the rather tragic illness that opera diva Marjorie Lawrence experienced at the height of her career. She contracts polio and, at least for a time, gives up her career. Can she manage to sing even though she'll likely never walk again?
Eleanor Parker was a great and stupid choice at the same time. It was great because she was a fine actress, looks just lovely and really did well in singing some of the movie's tunes (how many, isn't very clear). But, you have to shake your head in that this Oscar-nominated performance was of an AUSTRALIAN lady...and Parker sounds about as Australian as Charlie Chan! She doesn't even attempt to do the right accent and you wonder why the studio didn't use coaches to elicit the correct voice....especially since they did such a great job in having her sing credibly.
So is it any good? Well, some may depend on your love of opera. I have recently begun attending operas and enjoy it....and could hear that the voice work was incredible. I especially loved who ever sang the aria from "La Boheme" near the beginning. Additionally, the acting, sets and film look great. Quite entertaining and my only regreta are Ms. Parker's accent...or, should I say, lack of accent as well as the film looking very 1950s despite being set in the 1930s and 40s.