Humoresque (film)

Movie
German title	Humorous
Original title	Humoresque
Country of production	United States
original language	English
Publishing year	1946
length	125 minutes
Rod
Director	Jean Negulesco
script	Clifford Odets
production	Jerry Wald for Warner Brothers
music	Franz Waxman
camera	Ernest Haller
cut	Rudi Fehr
occupation
	Joan Crawford : Helen Wright; John Garfield : Paul Boray; Paul Cavanagh : Victor Wright; Oscar Levant : Sid Jeffers; J. Carrol Naish : Rudy Boray; Ruth Nelson : Esther Boray; Joan Chandler : Gina Romney; Tom D'Andrea : Phil Boray; Peggy Knudsen : Florence Boray; Craig Stevens : Monte Loeffler; Robert Blake : Paul as a child;

Humoresque (OT: Humoresque ) is an American fiction film from 1946 with Joan Crawford and John Garfield directed by Jean Negulesco . The script adapts the novel of the same name by Fannie Hurst .

action

Well-known violin virtuoso Paul Boray cancels a performance in New York City. He describes his motivations to a confidante and a long flashback sets in.

Around 1920 the young Paul grew up in poor circumstances. His talent was discovered and he was soon playing at societies and dances to earn money for the conservatory. His friend, the pianist Sid Jeffers, arranged for him to perform at the Wrights' house. Helen Wright, a well-known fine arts patron, is unhappy in her marriage to the much older Victor. Out of boredom and desperation, she takes refuge in countless affairs with young men and in alcohol. Soon Helen and Paul get closer. Their affair quickly turns into deep love, but in the end the relationship fails because of Helen's past and Paul's passion for music, which always comes first for him. Helen releases Paul and ends up choosing suicide. In evening dress and accompanied by the orchestral version of Richard Wagner's Liebestod , she goes into the sea.

background

Joan Crawford had for her portrayal of Mildred Pierce Mildred Pierce at the Oscar ceremony in 1946 the Oscar for Best Actress won. With this she completed her furious comeback after a few years in medium-class films. The plans for the film adaptation of the novel Humoresque were well advanced. The film was originally intended to serve as a solo vehicle for John Garfield . The role of Helen Wright was designed as a supporting character, and producer Jerry Wald initially thought of Tallulah Bankhead when Joan Crawford got involved in the part. The script was adapted accordingly and, at Crawford's request, Gilbert Adrian designed the star's opulent wardrobe. He oriented himself specifically to the New Look from Christian Dior : the costumes are made of precious materials, lavish cuts and lavish abundance of material mark a complete departure from the restrained film costumes of the war period.

The famous violin virtuoso Isaac Stern received a fee of 25,000 US dollars for his recordings of the 23 pieces of music, including the orchestral version of Wagner's Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde . John Garfield practiced the violin for months in order to provide a believable representation.

Joan Crawford, always her harshest critic, was, in retrospect, not completely at peace with herself and her portrayal:

“I have mixed feelings ... John Garfield, who was really a brilliant young actor, did a good job. He was so much the young, troubled musician that I think in the end the audience got the impression that he was even playing the violin himself. Negulesco directed with the right feeling. And most of the time I believed that I was good. But when I saw myself later, not just the daily recordings or the uncut film, but the final version, it reminded me fatally of " Rain " and I felt uncomfortable. I dubbed and exaggerated in so many scenes. I'm not sure, but I think I could have done better. "

Theatrical release

The film was released for national distribution on December 25, 1946. A cost of $ 2,164,000 made humoresque a prestige production and the most expensive Crawford film to date. He brings in a very substantial sum of 2,281,000 US dollars in the USA, which was an indication of the continued high popularity of Joan Crawford with her fans. With the foreign income of 1,118,000 US dollars, the studio was able to realize a total result of 3,399,000 US dollars.

Reviews

The reviews were favorable and praised Joan Crawford's play.

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

“The ultra stylish suffering of Joan Crawford and the boorish manner of John Garfield (who even looks like a 'Dead End Kid' in a tailcoat) have their counterpart in the phlegmatic play of comedian Oscar Levant. Together with "As long as a heart beats", "Humoresque" is Joan Crawford's best work at Warners. "

Lawrence J. Quirk was enthusiastic about the presentation in "Screen Stars":

"I suspect Crawford was able to bring a new dimension of romantic feelings and dramatic security to her performance because the film was shot immediately after she won her Oscar for" As Long a Heart Beats ". For the first time she was fully aware of the strength she had. Inwardly strengthened by the recognition of her bosses, she was able to approach the role with great self-confidence and fully exploit the emotional possibilities. "

literature

Roy Newquist (Ed.): Conversations with Joan Crawford . Citadel Press, Secaucus, NJ 1980, ISBN 0-8065-0720-9 .
Lawrence J. Quirk : The Complete Films of Joan Crawford . Citadel Press, Secaucus, NJ 1988, ISBN 0-8065-1078-1 .
Lawrence J. Quirk, William Schoell: Joan Crawford. The Essential Biography . University Press, Lexington, KY. 2002, ISBN 0-8131-2254-6 .
Alexander Walker: Joan Crawford. The Ultimate Star . Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London 1983, ISBN 0-297-78216-9 .

Web links

Humoresque in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Humoresque at Turner Classic Movies (English)
Background information, set photos and advertising posters

Individual evidence

^ I have mixed feelings ... John Garfield, who really was a brilliant young actor, did a fine job. He was so much the young, struggling musician I think the audience felt he really played the violin himself. Negulesco directed it with feeling, the right sort of feeling. And most of the time I thought I was doing well. But when I finally saw it, not just the rushes or the unedited film, but the final print, it reminded me of "Rain" and I cringed. I overacted and overreacted in so many scenes. I do not know. I should have done better.
↑ The ultra-stylish suffering of Joan Crawford and the street-punk insouciance of John Garfield (who looks like a "Dead End Kid" even while wearing a tux) is counterpointed by the phlegmatic comedy relief of Oscar Levant. Together with Mildred Pierce, Humoresque is the best of the Warner Bros. Joan Crawford vehicles.
↑ I suspect that Crawford attained an extra dimension of romantic lyricism and dramatic sincerity in this because it was made at the time she received her Oscar for Mildred Pierce, and, for the first time truly confident of her powers, and inwardly fortified by the acclamation of her peers, she strode through the role with a grand self-confidence and a sweeping grasp of the part's emotional possibilities .... A glamorous role for Crawford, a glamorous picture.

[1] I have mixed feelings ... John Garfield, who really was a brilliant young actor, did a fine job. He was so much the young, struggling musician I think the audience felt he really played the violin himself. Negulesco directed it with feeling, the right sort of feeling. And most of the time I thought I was doing well. But when I finally saw it, not just the rushes or the unedited film, but the final print, it reminded me of "Rain" and I cringed. I overacted and overreacted in so many scenes. I do not know. I should have done better.

[2] The ultra-stylish suffering of Joan Crawford and the street-punk insouciance of John Garfield (who looks like a "Dead End Kid" even while wearing a tux) is counterpointed by the phlegmatic comedy relief of Oscar Levant. Together with Mildred Pierce, Humoresque is the best of the Warner Bros. Joan Crawford vehicles.

[3] I suspect that Crawford attained an extra dimension of romantic lyricism and dramatic sincerity in this because it was made at the time she received her Oscar for Mildred Pierce, and, for the first time truly confident of her powers, and inwardly fortified by the acclamation of her peers, she strode through the role with a grand self-confidence and a sweeping grasp of the part's emotional possibilities .... A glamorous role for Crawford, a glamorous picture.