Humoresque (1946)

A classical musician from the slums is sidetracked by his love for a wealthy, neurotic socialite.

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

Clifford Odets (screenplay), Zachary Gold (screenplay)

Stars:

Joan Crawford, John Garfield, Oscar Levant

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joan Crawford	...	Helen Wright
John Garfield	...	Paul Boray
Oscar Levant	...	Sid Jeffers
J. Carrol Naish	...	Rudy Boray
Joan Chandler	...	Gina
Tom D'Andrea	...	Phil Boray
Peggy Knudsen	...	Florence Boray
Ruth Nelson	...	Esther Boray
Craig Stevens	...	Monte Loeffler
Paul Cavanagh	...	Victor Wright
Richard Gaines	...	Frederick Bauer
John Abbott	...	Rozner
Robert Blake	...	Paul Boray as a Child (as Bobby Blake)
Tommy Cook	...	Phil Boray as a Child
Don McGuire	...	Eddie

Storyline

Paul Boray comes from a working class background. He has been interested in the violin since he was a child, which his father disliked since he felt it a waste of money, but which his mother supported. Into his adult life, Paul wants to become a concert violinist, and although he shows talent, he does not have the right connections to make it into the concert performance world, much like his longtime friend, virtuoso pianist Sid Jeffers, and cellist Gina, both who, like Paul, train with the National Institute Orchestra. Gina and Paul have a connection with each other, Gina who confesses her love for him. While performing at a party with Sid, Paul meets Helen and Victor Wright, their hosts. Victor is a perceptive but self-admittedly weak man, while his wife Helen is strong minded but insecure which manifests itself as neurosis. She constantly tries to forget about her unhappy life by excessive alcohol consumption. Helen becomes Paul's benefactress, which ultimately results in a ...

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Plot Keywords:

manipulative mother | manipulative woman | bare chested male | possessive mother | possessive girlfriend | 

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Taglines:

"MILDRED PIERCE" DOES IT AGAIN! LAST YEAR'S ACADEMY AWARD STARS IN THIS YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT TRIUMPH! (original poster- all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 January 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

De amor también se muere

Filming Locations:

Malibu, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,164,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,281,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,118,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the cocktail party scene, a drunken society girl repeatedly tells John Garfield, "You look just like a prize fighter." Garfield would play a prize fighter in his next film, Body and Soul (1947).

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Goofs

Outside the beach house owned by Helen Wright (Joan Crawford), there is an ornate lantern on top of a post by the stairs leading from the house's terrace to the beach. In early sequences, the lantern has no glass and a bare light bulb is visible. Later sequences show the lantern with its glass installed, concealing the bulb.

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Quotes

Sid Jeffers: [regarding Helen Wright] She was born with a silver flask in her mouth.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are presented on the turning pages of the sheet music for the composition "Humoresque".

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Connections

Version of Humoresque (1920)

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Soundtracks

Embraceable You
(uncredited)
From the Broadway musical "Girl Crazy"
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Copyright 1930 New World Music Corp.
Performed by Peg La Centra

User Reviews

The ultimate diva in love with a violinst...

Joan Crawford was midway through filming 'Humoresque' when she won her Oscar for 'Mildred Pierce'. Along with 'Possessed', I think these three are her finest performances--and the films themselves aren't bad either!

Here she is a sophisticated patron of the arts who falls hard for John Garfield, as a high-strung violinist. Her neurotic, possessive nature is hellbent on self-destruction--leading to the inevitable ending which, though a bit overly dramatic, is a stunning conclusion to an interesting romantic drama. Garfield and Crawford make a good team--though personally I liked his teaming with Lana Turner better in 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'.

Oscar Levant supplies some cynical comedy relief with dry humor. Franz Waxman's score permits use of other classical composers--Bizet, Rossini and Wagner--giving distinction to a well crafted, if overlong melodrama that showcases the star's glamourous image. Crawford never looked better with Bette Davis' favorite photographer, Ernie Haller, at the camera. Makes you wonder why they couldn't find stories like this for Crawford while she was at MGM.