Humoresque (film)

Humoresque (OT: Humoresque ) is an American movie from 1946 with Joan Crawford and John Garfield, directed by Jean Negulesco. The screenplay adapted the novel by Fannie Hurst.

Action

The famous violinist Paul Boray says from a performance in New York City. He describes his motivations a confidant and a great flashback starts. By 1920 the young Paul grows up in poverty. His talent is discovered and soon he plays on companies and dance events to earn money so for the Conservatory. His friend, the pianist Sid Jeffers, gives him an appearance at the house of the Wrights. Helen Wright, a city well-known patron of the arts, is unhappy in her marriage to the much older Victor. Out of boredom and desperation, she takes refuge in numerous affairs with young men and alcohol. Helen and Paul Soon, get closer. From their deep love affair is soon, but in the end fails the relationship of Helen and Paul's past, passion for music, which always comes first for him. Helen Paul is free and chooses at the end of the suicide. In the evening dress and accompanied by the orchestral version of Richard Wagner's Liebestod she goes into the sea.

Background

Joan Crawford, always their sharpest critic, was in retrospect not totally with themselves and their representation in the Pure:

" I have mixed feelings ... John Garfield, who was really a brilliant young actor who delivered a good job. He was so very young, problem- laden musician, I think in the end, the audience had the impression that he would even play the violin itself. Negulesco directed with the right feeling. And most of the time, I believed that I would be good. But when I saw myself later, so not only the daily recordings or the uncut film, but the final version, because it reminded me fatal to "Rain" and I felt uncomfortable. I played and exaggerated in so many scenes. I do not know exactly, but I think I could have done it better. "

The film was placed on the national rental on December 25, 1946. Cost of 2.164 million U.S. dollars accounted for Humoresque a prestige production and the most expensive Crawford movie. He plays in the U.S. with 2.281 million U.S. dollars, a very considerable sum of one, which was an indication of the continuing high widespread popularity of Joan Crawford with her ​​fans. With foreign revenue of 1.118 million U.S. dollars, the studio was able to realize a total profit of 3.399 million U.S. dollars.

Reviews

The reviews were favorable and praised the play of Joan Crawford.

Hal Erickson ruled benevolently in his " All Movie Guide":

Lawrence J. Quirk appeared in " Screen Stars " thrilled by the presentation:

" I suspect that Crawford could bring a new dimension to romantic feelings and dramatic security in their representation, because the movie immediately after her Oscar win for " was " turned Mildred Pierce. She was for the first time fully aware of what power they had. Internally strengthened by the recognition of their bosses, they could tackle the role with great confidence and thereby fully exploit the emotional possibilities. "

Sources and literature used

  • Roy Newquist (ed.): Conversations with Joan Crawford. Citadel Press, Secaucus, N. J. 1980, ISBN 0-8065-0720-9
  • Alexander Walker: Joan Crawford. The Ultimate Star. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London 1983, ISBN 0-297-78216-9
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