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Revision as of 04:56, 17 May 2020 by David Tornheim (talk | contribs) (ce)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) 1954 American film| Rhapsody | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Charles Vidor |
| Written by |
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| Produced by | Lawrence Weingarten |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Robert H. Planck |
| Edited by | John D. Dunning |
| Music by |
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| Production company | MGM |
| Distributed by | MGM |
| Release date |
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| Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,979,000 |
| Box office | $3,292,000 |
Rhapsody is a 1954 American musical drama film directed by Charles Vidor and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Vittorio Gassman, John Ericson, and Louis Calhern based on the novel Maurice Guest by Henry Handel Richardson.
Plot summary
The movie is about a debutante who follows the man she loves and hopes to marry to Zurich where he studies violin at a conservatory.
The film opens with debutante Louise Durant (Elizabeth Taylor) announcing to her haughty father (played by Louis Calhern) that she is leaving their luxurious home to go to Zurich with her lover--an aspiring violinist, Paul Bronte (Vittorio Gassman). Her father disapproves, saying she cannot leave as he needs her to be the hostess of his luncheon of VIPs. He sees no reason to waste time with aspiring artists, when he has the cream of the crop at the luncheon she is about to miss. Besides, she lacks the discipline to study piano at the conservatory. She scoffs, "You'll see. Have you ever stopped me from doing what I want?" He replies "No".
The couple joyfully motor to Zurich in a convertible. Paul indicates muses that it is a bit spontaneous and crazy to take her, when he has so much work to do. He had spent the summer playing his violin at a casino rather than honing in his skills.
In Zurich, the couple bring Louise's bags to her luxurious new flat. Paul inquires about the "For Rent" sign that the matron (played by Celia Lovsky) had just removed from the front window. She explains that the attic had just been rented to an American (James Guest, played by John Ericson). When the affable Guest comes down from the attic, Bronte tries to convince him that new students must give up their rooms for senior students like himself. Guest won't be conned. Guest becomes immediately infatuating with Durant, but she doesn't notice, while Bronte lets him know she is off-limits.
Durant goes to the conservatory to audition, but must wait for the person before her, who plays beautiful piano. She is pleased to discover it is Guest. The professor who oversaw the audition next ushers in Bronte. They practice while Durant impatiently waits. Tension mounts as Bronte prioritizes practice over spending time with Durant.
When Bronte discovers he can perform at the Zurich Symphony in three weeks, he tells a deeply disappointed Durant he will have no time for her until the concert. Meanwhile a fine piano arrives for Durant and Guest tries it out. The two play together as friends and she gives him a key to her flat so he can practice.
Bronte is a smashing success at the concert he had practiced so hard for. During the concert Durant unsuccessfully tries to capture his attention by slipping her dress over her shoulder, but he is oblivious, engrossed in the music, like everyone else but her. When she goes back stage the joyous crowd surrounds him and she can't get near him, but sees him briefly kiss another woman to share in his success. When agents shuffle him off to a back room, Durant calls out to him, but he waives her off. When he leaves the room hours later, she is sulking in chair. Energized and happy to see her, he spouts off all his future plans for a tour with a finale in Rome.
There she meets a piano student who falls madly in love with her. She must then choose between this man who loves her more than his music and the violinist who loves his music more than anything else. Rhapsody features music by Franz Liszt, Sergei Rachmaninov, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Felix Mendelssohn, Claude Debussy, and Pablo de Sarasate.
Cast
- Elizabeth Taylor as Louise Durant
- Vittorio Gassman as Paul Bronte
- John Ericson as James Guest
- Louis Calhern as Nicholas Durant
- Michael Chekhov as Prof. Schuman
- Barbara Bates as Effie Cahill
- Richard Hageman as Bruno Fürst
- Richard Lupino as Otto Krafft
- Celia Lovsky as Frau Sigerlist
- Stuart Whitman as Dove
- Madge Blake as Mrs. Cahill
- Jack Raine as Edmund Streller
- Birgit Nielsen as Madeleine
- Jacqueline Duval as Yvonne
- Norma Nevens as Student Pianist
Production
The novel Maurice Guest was originally published in 1908.
Rhapsody was filmed on location in Florhofgasse, Zürich (the street scenes) and Pontresina, Kanton Graubünden in Switzerland.
Reception
According to MGM records, the film earned $1,291,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $2,001,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $217,000.
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
- 2002: AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions – Nominated
References
- ^ The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- "Rhapsody". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- "MAN, MUSIC, AND LOVE". The Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 3 October 1908. p. 6. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- "IN GRIM EARNEST". Western Mail. Perth: National Library of Australia. 10 October 1908. p. 50. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- "Locations for Rhapsody". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- "AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-19.
External links
- Rhapsody at IMDb
- Henry Handel Richardson (1909) Maurice Guest, Duffield & Company, New York
| Films directed by Charles Vidor | |
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