Symphony of Six Million (1932)

Director:

Gregory La Cava

Writers:

Fannie Hurst (story)
J. Walter Ruben (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

29 April 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A brilliant young doctor grows away from his family and his community in his drive to succeed. When tragedy strikes his family...

Plot Keywords:

Doctor | Jew | Tenement | Disabled Person | Beautiful Woman

Cast

Ricardo Cortez	...	Dr. Felix 'Felixel' Klauber
Irene Dunne	...	Jessica
Anna Appel	...	Hannah Klauber
Gregory Ratoff	...	Meyer Klauber
Noel Madison	...	Magnus Klauber
Lita Chevret	...	Birdie Klauber
John St. Polis	...	Dr. Schifflen
Julie Haydon	...	Miss Grey, Felix's Nurse-Receptionist
Helen Freeman	...	Miss Spencer, Felix's Nurse
Josephine Whittell	...	Mrs. Gifford
Oscar Apfel	...	Conferring Doctor
Eddie Phillips	...	Birdie's Husband

Also Known As:

Melody of Life

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2286)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Quotes:

Dr. Schifflen: My boy, there are two kinds of men in our profession. Some are gifted with the spark of genius; some of us are... just doctors.
[walks to the door and opens it, then turns back toward Felix]
Dr. Schifflen: Felix Klauber, you're more capable than I, but if you don't go through with this operation, I will.

Movie Connections:

Featured in David O. Selznick: 'Your New Producer' (1935)

OK movie

I have to say I expected more from this early thirties' Gregory La Cava Photoplay, especially since one of my favourite actresses, Irene Dunne, starred in it, but she had little time on screen (IMHO) and her role as a crippled girl, is pretty shallow, she had not yet blossomed into the great actress of "Theodora Goes Wild", "Love Affair" or "The Awful Truth".

This weepie (based on a Fannie Hurst novel, the same author who gave us "Back Street", "Imitation of Life", etc.) tells the story of a family of German immigrants, who lives in a poor Jewish ghetto in New York. Thanks to the profession of one of the sons, who grows to be a successful doctor (Ricardo Cortez), they find much better "horizons".

Ricardo Cortez, who has a Latin name but who was really born in Hungary, of Jewish background, does a fine job in the leading role, suffering a lot through the movie, 'cos he sacrifices his ideals for his family's sake. His parents are skillfully played by Anna Appel and Gregory Ratoff, who bring much truth to their interpretations.

I have to say that I enjoyed more the first part of the film which shows the life of this family when their sons were kids; there's a lot of "real" truth in the depiction of their lives, when they grow-up the film becomes more of a routine-soap opera.

Anyhow, I had never seen Ricardo Cortez in such a role, 'cos I was used to see him portraying continental men of the world or gangster-types, and as I stated before, he does a good job. Irene Dunne is less than half of what she had yet to achieve (in acting talent & beauty-I prefer her with longer hair).

No Pre-Codes aspects here, although it was released in 1932. Anyway, 1930's fans will have to see it.