Editing Interrupted Melody

{{short description|1955 film by Curtis Bernhardt}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Interrupted Melody
| image          = Interruptedmelody1955.jpg
| caption        = Film poster
| director       = [[Curtis Bernhardt]]
| producer       = [[Jack Cummings (director)|Jack Cummings]]
| writer         = 
| based_on       = {{based on|''Interrupted Melody''<br>1949 book|[[Marjorie Lawrence]]}}<ref>{{cite book|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lawrence-marjorie-florence-7115|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|first=Helga M.|last=Griffin|chapter=Marjorie Florence Lawrence (1907–1979) |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>
| screenplay     = [[Sonya Levien]]<br>[[William Ludwig (screenwriter)|William Ludwig]]
| narrator       = 
| starring       = [[Eleanor Parker]]<br />[[Glenn Ford]]<br />[[Roger Moore]]<br />[[Cecil Kellaway]]
| music          = [[Alexander Courage]]<br />[[Adolph Deutsch]]
| cinematography = [[Joseph Ruttenberg]]<br />[[Paul C. Vogel]]
| editing        = [[John Dunning (film editor)|John D. Dunning]]
| distributor    = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
| released       = {{Film date|1955|3|25|United States}}
| runtime        = 106 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $2,367,000<ref name="Mannix">{{Citation | title = The Eddie Mannix Ledger | publisher = Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study | place = Los Angeles}}.</ref>
| gross          = $4,028,000<ref name="Mannix"/><ref>Domestic take see also "The Top Box-Office Hits of 1955", ''Variety Weekly'', January 25, 1956.</ref>
}}
'''''Interrupted Melody''''' is a 1955 American [[musical film|musical]] [[biopic]] film about the opera singer [[Marjorie Lawrence]] starring [[Eleanor Parker]], [[Glenn Ford]], [[Roger Moore]], and [[Cecil Kellaway]]. Directed by [[Curtis Bernhardt]], it was filmed in [[CinemaScope]] and [[Eastmancolor|Eastman Color]], and produced for [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] by [[Jack Cummings (director)|Jack Cummings]]. With an [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Oscar-winning screenplay]] by Lawrence, [[Sonya Levien]], and [[William Ludwig (screenwriter)|William Ludwig]], the operatic sequences were staged by [[Vladimir Rosing]], and [[Eileen Farrell]] provided the singing voice for Parker. It tells the story of Australian soprano [[Marjorie Lawrence]]'s rise to fame as an opera singer and her subsequent triumph over [[polio]] with her husband's help.

==Plot==
{{More plot|date=December 2013}}
The story traces Marjorie's long, hard road to the top, her success on two continents, and her turbulent marriage to American doctor Thomas King. While touring South America in 1941, Lawrence is stricken with polio, which not only abruptly stops her career but briefly robs her of the will to live. With her husband's help, she makes a triumphant return to opera and the concert stage, beginning by singing for hospitalized soldiers and troops overseas. She returns to the [[Metropolitan Opera]], appearing in a full production of Wagner's [[Tristan und Isolde]].

==Cast==
* [[Glenn Ford]] as Dr. Thomas King
* [[Eleanor Parker]] as [[Marjorie Lawrence]]
* [[Roger Moore]] as Cyril Lawrence
* [[Cecil Kellaway]] as Bill Lawrence
* [[Peter Leeds]] as Dr. Ed Ryson
* [[Evelyn Ellis]] as Clara
* [[Walter Baldwin]] as Jim Owens
* [[Ann Codee]] as [[Cécile Gilly|Mme. Cécile Gilly]]
* [https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/sachse-leopold Leopold Sachse] as himself
* [[Stephen Bekassy]] as Comte Claude des Vignaux

==Production==
===Development===
In 1947, it was reported that Marjorie Lawrence was writing her memoirs, titled ''Interrupted Melody'', and that she wanted [[Greer Garson]] to play her in a film.<ref>{{cite news|title=ON THE AISLE: Lawrence Calls Her Story 'Interrupted Melody' And Garson Wants To Do It On The Screen|author=Cassidy, Claudia|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=Dec 17, 1947|page=39}}</ref> The book was published in 1950. The ''Chicago Tribune'' called it "engrossing".<ref>{{cite news|title=Diva's Story of Fight for Fame and Life|author=Barry, Edward|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=Jan 29, 1950|page=I11}}</ref>

In June 1951, [[MGM]], which had just had a huge success with ''[[The Great Caruso]]'', another [[biopic]] of an opera star, announced that it had bought the screen rights to the book. Jack Cummings was going to produce, and [[Kathryn Grayson]] was a possible star.<ref>{{cite news|title=FILM GUILD MOVES AGAINST FOX CUTS: Screen Writers Are Urged Not to Comply With Proposal for Salary Reductions|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|work=New York Times|date=6 June 1951|page=37}}</ref> Other possible leads were [[Greer Garson]] and [[Deborah Kerr]], who would use Lawrence's voice.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Drama: Garson Likely to Act Lawrence Role; Bettger, Lockhart Villainous|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=June 19, 1951|work=Los Angeles Times|page=B7}}</ref> Lawrence flew to Hollywood in July to have discussions with Cummings and [[Sonya Levien]], who was to do the script.<ref>{{cite news|title=Barrie Play at Paramount|work=New York Times|date=20 July 1951|page=13}}</ref> In December, MGM announced [[Lana Turner]] would play the lead with filming to begin in February.<ref>{{cite news|title=LANA TURNER GETS OPERA SINGER ROLE: Star Will Portray Marjorie Lawrence, Victor Over Polio, in 'Interrupted Melody' Bob Hope Film to Start Of Local Origin|author=THOMAS M. PRYOR|work=New York Times|date=Dec 24, 1951|page=9}}</ref> However, filming did not proceed. In July 1952, MGM said Garson would be playing the lead and William Ludwig was working on the script.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Drama: Garson in 'Interrupted Melody;' Bacon-Bergman and Bjork Deals on Fire|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=July 11, 1952|work=Los Angeles Times|page=B9}}</ref> By February 1953, the studio had postponed production again.<ref>{{cite news|title=KNOPF TO PRODUCE STORY BY ERSKINE: Unpublished 'Diane de Poitiers' Will Be Filmed Independently -- Garson Eyed for Lead|author=THOMAS M. PRYOR|work=New York Times|date=Feb 16, 1953|page=16}}</ref> In December 1953, the film was put back on MGM's schedule with Garson still attached.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Drama: Ursula Thiess New Star of 'Americano;' Disney Sets Verne Launching|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=Dec 26, 1953|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A7}}</ref>

On April 7, 1954, ''The New York Times'' announced that [[Eleanor Parker]] would play the part because all the other candidates, with the exception of Lana Turner, had left MGM. The article reported that Lawrence had recorded the songs for the film.<ref>{{Cite web|title=METRO FILLS LEAD IN FILM OF SINGER; Eleanor Parker Will Portray Marjorie Lawrence in 'Interrupted Melody'|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1954/04/07/92563684.html?pageNumber=42|website=timesmachine.nytimes.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref> Filming started in September 1954. According to Parker, the filmmakers could not use Marjorie Lawrence's voice, because she had lost her upper register. Parker could read music and had a firm [[soprano]] voice with perfect pitch. She prepared for the singing aspect of her role by listening to the numbers for weeks, and she sang them during the filming in full voice instead of lip-synching.<ref>[https://entertainment.time.com/2013/12/10/eleanor-parker-more-than-just-the-sound-of-music-baroness/ "Eleanor Parker: More Than Just the ''Sound of Music'' Baroness"] by [[Richard Corliss]], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', December 20, 2013</ref> The singing was dubbed by [[Eileen Farrell]], who appears on screen early in the film, as a student struggling to hit a high note in a scene with the singing teacher Mme. Gilly ([[Ann Codee]]) .<ref name="noir" />

Glenn Ford would only appear in the film if he got top billing. Parker says: "I wanted to do what was right for the picture, so I said: 'Let him have the top billing.' Glenn was a kind of a difficult man, but he was right for the picture and a very fine actor."<ref name="noir">{{cite web|url=http://alankrode.com/public2/vigorish/Eleanor%20Parker%20Interview.pdf|title=Eleanor Parker: Incognito, but Invincible|website=Noir City Sentinel|date=Summer 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019011307/http://alankrode.com/public2/vigorish/Eleanor%20Parker%20Interview.pdf|archive-date=2016-10-19}}</ref>

A key supporting role was given to Roger Moore, who had just made ''[[The Last Time I Saw Paris]]'' for MGM and had been put under contract to the studio.<ref>{{Cite news|title=La Jolla Film Festival Plans Expand; Brynner Cited as 'Matador' Star|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=June 19, 1954|work=Los Angeles Times|page=13}}</ref>

Filming had finished by November 1954.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Eleanor Parker Will Be Wed|author=Hopper, Hedda|date=Nov 16, 1954|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A2}}</ref> The film was previewed in January 1955.<ref>{{cite news|title=Eleanor Parker Plays Convincing Diva Role: Lawrence Life Story Applauded|author=Scott, John L.|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Feb 13, 1955|page=D3}}</ref>

In February 1955, ''The New York Times'' published a photo spread showing scenes from the film.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Interrupted Melody'|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/02/27/92628474.html?pageNumber=268|website=timesmachine.nytimes.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref>

==Reception==
According to MGM records, the film cost $2,367,000 to produce, and made $1,801,000 in the US and Canada and $2,227,000 overseas.<ref name="Mannix"/>

In a contemporary review of the film in ''[[The New York Times]]'', critic [[Bosley Crowther]] described it as "tender and moving," "a stirring drama, plus a handsome and melodious one," and "a tale of personal triumph and recovery that is rendered the more eloquent and taut by the ample production of gorgeous music."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Crowther|first=Bosley|date=1955-05-06|title=Screen: The Defeat of Polio as Personal Drama; ' Interrupted Melody' Tells Singer's Story|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/05/06/archives/screen-the-defeat-of-polio-as-personal-drama-interrupted-melody.html|access-date=2023-12-11|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Film critic Derek Winnert wrote in 2013 that the film "is still an extremely enjoyable old-style heart-lifter and spirit-raiser. It is Parker’s show all the way but Glenn Ford is on top form too as the husband," and noted that "Eileen Farrell performs Parker’s vocals in eight beautiful arias – from Verdi, Puccini, Richard Wagner and Bizet’s Carmen. Amusingly, Farrell [also] plays a singing student of Mme Gilly (Ann Codee) who cannot seem to hit the right notes."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winnert |first1=Derek |title=Interrupted Melody (1955) |url=https://www.derekwinnert.com/interrupted-melody-classic-film-review-494/ |website=Derek Winnert |date=10 December 2013 |access-date=2023-12-11}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! Ref.
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[28th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| [[Eleanor Parker]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="3"| <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1956 |title=The 28th Academy Awards (1956) Nominees and Winners |access-date=August 20, 2011 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706094007/http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/28th-winners.html |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Story and Screenplay]]
| [[William Ludwig (screenwriter)|William Ludwig]] and [[Sonya Levien]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design – Color]]
| [[Helen Rose]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[16th Venice International Film Festival|Venice International Film Festival]]
| [[Golden Lion]]
| [[Curtis Bernhardt]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|}

==Musical tracks==
Walter Ducloux conducted the MGM Studio Symphony Orchestra. MGM published a selection of eleven numbers on an [[Original cast album|original]] motion picture [[soundtrack album]].
* "O don fatale" from [[Giuseppe Verdi|Verdi]]'s ''[[Don Carlos]]''
* Act 1 finale from Verdi's ''[[Il trovatore]]''
* "Un bel dì" from [[Giacomo Puccini|Puccini]]'s ''[[Madama Butterfly]]''
* "[[Habanera (aria)|Habanera]]" from [[Georges Bizet|Bizet]]'s ''[[Carmen]]''
* "[[Seguidilla#Seguidilla aria|Seguidilla]]" from ''Carmen''
* "[[Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix]]" from [[Camille Saint-Saëns|Saint-Saëns]]' ''[[Samson and Delilah (opera)|Samson and Delilah]]''
* [[Brünnhilde's Immolation Scene]] from [[Richard Wagner|Wagner]]'s ''[[Götterdämmerung]]''
* Excerpts from Wagner's ''[[Tristan und Isolde]]''
* "[[Annie Laurie]]" by [[Alicia Ann Spottiswoode|Alicia Scott]]
* "[[Over the Rainbow]]" by [[Harold Arlen]]
* "Voi che sapete" from [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]]'s ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]''
* Medley: "[[Anchors Aweigh]]" by [[Charles A. Zimmermann]]; "[[Marines' Hymn]]", based on works by [[Jacques Offenbach]]; "[[Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree]]" by [[Sam H. Stept]]
* "[[Quando me'n vo']]" (Musetta's Waltz) from [[Giacomo Puccini|Puccini]]'s ''[[La bohème]]''
* "[[Waltzing Matilda]]", traditional

==See also==
* [[List of American films of 1955]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0048210}}
* [https://www.allmovie.com/movie/interrupted-melody-am28824 ''Interrupted Melody'' at AllMovie]
* {{TCMDb title|229}}
* {{AFI film|51537}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|interrupted_melody}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150924113555/http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/186861/Interrupted-Melody-Movie-Intro-Outro-Renee-Fleming.html Intro/outro to ''Interrupted Melody''] with [[Robert Osborne]] and [[Renée Fleming]], [[Turner Classic Movies]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150924113512/http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/120967/Interrupted-Melody-Original-Trailer-.html Original trailer]

{{Curtis Bernhardt}}

[[Category:1955 films]]
[[Category:American biographical drama films]]
[[Category:Films about classical music and musicians]]
[[Category:Films directed by Curtis Bernhardt]]
[[Category:Films whose writer won the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:Films about opera]]
[[Category:1955 drama films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about musicians]]
[[Category:Films scored by Adolph Deutsch]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by William Ludwig]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Sonya Levien]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Australian people]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of classical musicians]]
[[Category:CinemaScope films]]
[[Category:1950s English-language films]]
[[Category:1950s American films]]
[[Category:1950s biographical drama films]]
[[Category:English-language biographical drama films]]