Break of Hearts (1935)

Franz Roberti is a famous orchestra conductor who has a number of girlfriends. While talking with his old music teacher, Professor Thalma, he meets Constance, an aspiring music composer. ... See full summary »

Director:

Philip Moeller

Writers:

Sarah Y. Mason (screen play), Victor Heerman (screen play),

Stars:

Katharine Hepburn, Charles Boyer, John Beal

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Katharine Hepburn	...	Constance Dane Roberti
Charles Boyer	...	Franz Roberti
John Beal	...	Johnny Lawrence
Jean Hersholt	...	Professor Thalma
Sam Hardy	...	Marx
Inez Courtney	...	Miss Wilson
Helene Millard	...	Sylvia DeWitt
Ferdinand Gottschalk	...	Enrico Pazzini
Susan Fleming	...	Elise
Lee Kohlmar	...	Schubert
Jean Howard	...	Didi Smith-Lennox
Anne Grey	...	Lady Phyllis Cameron

Storyline

Franz Roberti is a famous orchestra conductor who has a number of girlfriends. While talking with his old music teacher, Professor Thalma, he meets Constance, an aspiring music composer. They see each other, fall in love and marry. They honeymoon all over Europe and are happy back home until Constance finds him with a society divorcee and leaves him.

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Plot Keywords:

orchestra conductor | orchestra | music teacher | composer | music conductor | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 May 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Coeurs brisés

Filming Locations:

Wilshire Ebell Theatre - 4401 W. 8th St., Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rafaela Ottiano and Gavin Gordon are in studio records for being in this film, "Break of Hearts (1935)," but were not seen in the movie. Egon Brecher was not in studio records, but also was not seen in this movie.

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Soundtracks

"Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565"
(ca 1705) (uncredited)
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Played at the New Year's Day concert

User Reviews

Now THAT'S interesting casting...

Maybe it's just me, but the idea of Charles Boyer playing opposite Katharine Hepburn in a romance is odd...to say the least. Now I am NOT casting any aspersions on their acting--they were both fine actors. But the combination of the two in a film like this just seems strange. Perhaps at the time it didn't--as Hepburn wasn't yet a huge star and hadn't the reputation she'd have just a few years later. But the reddish-haired lady with a refined New England accent and the suave Frenchman--what an unusual combination The film begins with Boyer playing a very famous orchestra conductor and musician. He's a bit of a womanizer, so it's surprising when he meets a young would-be composer (Hepburn) that he'd fall for her so hard that he'd ask her to marry him. They seem deliriously happy and go off on a wonderful honeymoon in Europe. Things couldn't be better for the pair until he decides on a whim to go to a party with an old lady friend. However, when Katharine seems them together, she assumes he's cheating on her and perhaps he was, so she storms off--and is ready for a divorce. Can the two get past this or is their marriage headed for an untimely end? See the film and find out what happens next.

Overall, while the acting is pretty good and a nice looking production, the movie itself is very ordinary...at best. In fact, some parts are a bit embarrassing to watch--it just wasn't written all that well and seemed overdone and unreal--particularly in the second half. A sticky and clichéd soap opera and not a whole lot more. There just wasn't enough interesting material in this film to elevate it anything more than a time-passer. Too bad--with this talent, it should have been a lot better.