1h 46min | Biography, Drama, Music | 20 April 1955 | Color, WS
Director: Curtis Bernhardt
Stars: Glenn Ford, Eleanor Parker, Roger Moore.
Vladimir Rosing ... stager: operatic sequences
Marjorie MacKay ... assistant: Vladimir Rosing (uncredited)
Watched online, ok print.
16 songs (arias) in the Soundtracks.
IMDb trivia: "Eleanor Parker can read music, and has perfect pitch as a singer. She decided to study the scores of the opera songs used in this film on her own. She rented a cabin in Lake Arrowhead, California, and played the records while singing along, until she had the breathing and phrasing memorized. Then when filming the scenes, instead of lip-synching to the tracks recorded by Eileen Farrell for the movie, she sang full voice (but an octave lower). She is proud of the fact that they never had to do a re-take, in order to "match" the tapes. She nailed it on the first take every time."
Previously rated 7, I agree today.
I don't usually like either of the stars, but the story and the music make this a worthwhile film. EP is not always cheerful and optimistic, GF is not always supportive of her career. But they struggle through, and find success on multiple levels.
Just read the Wikipedia page on the subject of this film; she really did sing the wide range of roles shown in the film.
MGM, dir. Bernhardt; 7
