NIGHT SONG
US, 1947, 101 minutes, Black and white.
Dana Andrews, Merle Oberon, Hoagy Carmichael, Ethel Barrymore, Artur Rubenstein, Eugene Ormandy.
Directed by John Cromwell.
Night Song is a romantic melodrama with music. The basic plot is reminiscent of Magnificent Obsession and other melodramas with a disabled hero or heroine helped, unknowingly, by the one who loves them. This time Dana Andrews is a blind pianist who is unable to complete his concerto. Merle Oberon is the socialite who is able to help him, without his knowing - until the romantic finale. The supporting cast includes Ethel Barrymore and Hoagy Carmichael, to offer asides of worldly wisdom. Hoagy Carmichael also contributes a song 'Who Killed the Black Widow?'
The film has lavish production styles. It is directed by John Cromwell, maker of some action dramas in the '40s including Abe Lincoln in Illinois, as well as romantic films like The Enchanted Cottage.
1. An entertaining film? Enjoyable? The perennial popularity of this kind of material?
2. Black and white photography? The musical score? The piano concerto?
3. The title and the focus on the blind pianist? Compositions? His creative ability?
4. The portrait of Dan Evans: blind, embittered? His background? His playing in the dance band? The support of Chick Morgan? The fragments of his concerto? His inability to finish? The possibility of an operation? His refusing to accept help? His encounter with Catherine Mallory? Her wealth and his rejecting it? Her decision to take piano lessons? Calling herself Mary? His teaching her? Attachment to her? Her persuading Dan to finish his concerto and enter the competition? The operation and its success? The tension in waiting to see whether he had regained his sight? The winning of the competition? The performance of his concerto - by Artur Rubenstein and the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Eugene Ormandy)? His meeting with Catherine? His forgetting of Mary? The finale with his realising Catherine is Mary? The happy ending?
5. Catherine Mallory and her wealth, society background, meeting Dan, attracted to him, his refusal to accept her charity, her decision to support him, her taking music lessons, the growing bonds between the two? Dan's success? The operation? His forgetting Mary? The revelation of who she was? The happy ending?
6. Chick Morgan as Dan's friend, support, understanding, advice?
7. Ethel Barrymore's presence as the aunt - her comments on music, blindness, her support of Catherine, support of Dan? Her experience and wisdom?
8. The popularity of this kind of material? Romantic? melodramatic? Far-fetched? nevertheless highlighting love, self-sacrifice, creative potential?
