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 ...

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

TWO WHO MET AND KISSED AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE MET AGAIN! (original poster - all caps)

---

Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

---

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)

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

For the scene where Helen falls off the horse, Joan Crawford claims that she performed the stunt herself, and, relieved that it had gone well, she nevertheless was forced to do the stunt again when it was decided that Paul (John Garfield)'s rushing over and laying on top of her was too racy. It was reshot, and instead, Helen lies on top of Paul. Crawford later remarked: "I couldn't really understand what was the difference, him on top of me or me on top of him. Well, the difference was I had to fall off the horse again. I did, and I lived to tell the tale." An HD freeze frame tells the truth: it was a stunt double who falls off the horse.

---

Goofs

At about 1:20, during Garfield's supposed playing of Symphony Espagnole, the head of the violinist whose hand we see doing the bowing, standing on Garfield's right, is partially visible on the extreme left side of the screen. This may be the same (uncredited) player we also see doubling for Garfield in some of the extreme long-shots.

---

Quotes

Sid Jeffers: I don't like to play the piano. It makes me too attractive.

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Connections

Featured in Hollywood: The Great Stars (1963)

---

Soundtracks

Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
(uncredited)
Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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.