Eleanor Parker's third Oscar nomination came in 1955 for a musical, an opera, "Interrupted Melody." The film is based on the life of opera singer Marjorie Lawrence who, at the height of her career, was stricken with infantile paralysis while in Mexico to perform.
The lovely film begins in Australia, birthplace of Lawrence. Against the wishes of her father, she auditions in a contest and wins.
We see a variety of operas. Though she did not sing, Parker is excellent in emulating the voice of an outstanding Eileen Farrell, who sang for her. Ms. Farrell, who died several years ago, performed at the Met as did Marjorie Lawrence. Her beautiful voice is a further tribute to this excellent biography.
The film chronicles the successes of Lawrence, her tours, her father's sudden death(Cecil Kellaway in an interesting but all too brief performance.)
The film introduced a young Roger Moore as Cecil, her brother, who feels deep guilt for having his sister go to Mexico.
Along the way, she meets her husband-to-be, a doctor, played very well by Glenn Ford.
The second part of the film depicts Lawrence's struggle against the disease. Her despair, her attempted suicide and her rejuvenation are shown. Lawrence comes back to the Met to sing and amazes all by standing up after her performance.
The film will leave us with those beautiful operas and a positive outlook on life despite such adversity. ****.
The lovely film begins in Australia, birthplace of Lawrence. Against the wishes of her father, she auditions in a contest and wins.
We see a variety of operas. Though she did not sing, Parker is excellent in emulating the voice of an outstanding Eileen Farrell, who sang for her. Ms. Farrell, who died several years ago, performed at the Met as did Marjorie Lawrence. Her beautiful voice is a further tribute to this excellent biography.
The film chronicles the successes of Lawrence, her tours, her father's sudden death(Cecil Kellaway in an interesting but all too brief performance.)
The film introduced a young Roger Moore as Cecil, her brother, who feels deep guilt for having his sister go to Mexico.
Along the way, she meets her husband-to-be, a doctor, played very well by Glenn Ford.
The second part of the film depicts Lawrence's struggle against the disease. Her despair, her attempted suicide and her rejuvenation are shown. Lawrence comes back to the Met to sing and amazes all by standing up after her performance.
The film will leave us with those beautiful operas and a positive outlook on life despite such adversity. ****.