RHAPSODY

US, 1954, 116 minutes, Colour.
Elizabeth Taylor, Vittorio Gassman, John Ericson, Louis Calhern, Michael Chekhov, Barbara Bates.
Directed by Charles Vidor.

A glossy, colourful Elizabeth Taylor vehicle of the early '50s. Her two leading men, John Ericson and Vittorio Gassman, had varied careers although Gassman emerged as a very solid and successful actor in the '70s. The film is an adaptation (extensive) and updating of Henry Handel Richardson's 'Morris Guest'. Even some of the names of the characters have been changed and the plot adapted to a post-war situation. However, many of the central elements of the world of music training and romantic obsessions remain. There are some excellent musical interludes including violin concertos by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff The leading actors give very good impressions of violin and piano playing. The film was obviously made in Hollywood and uses rear projection considerably, although there are some attractive outdoor sequences without the stars. Henry Handel Richardson's work has been filmed with The Getting of Wisdom and television adaptations of her classic, The Fortunes of Richard Mahony. A curiosity item for those interested in cinema adaptations of the work of this author. Charles Vidor, the director, made the biographies of Chopin - A Song To Remember, and Liszt - Song Without End.

1. An enjoyable and attractive soap opera? M.G.M. production style of the '50s? Plush decor and costumes, the atmosphere of affluence? An Elizabeth Taylor vehicle? Classical music film? Love story?

2. The blend of location and studio work? The use of European settings, decor, wardrobe?

3. The basis of the film in the work of Henry Handel Richardson? Adaptation, updating? A satisfactory adaptation?

4. The presentation of the classical score, the violin concertos, their insertion into the plot, their presentation?

5. The film's focus on Louise? Elizabeth Taylor's personality and style? The spoilt daughter, her reaction to her father's dinner plans, her plans for marrying Paul? Her relationship with Paul and following him to Zurich? The establishing of the apartment, being with him at the tavern and being isolated by his violin playing and his friends? The encounter with James Guest? The audition and her joy for guest, her own failure and the advice of the examiner? Her taking Paul to see her father? Distracting him from his work and success, waiting three weeks without seeing him, her being spurned after his success? What did she want, why? How selfish and presumptuous? How attractive a woman?

6. Paul and his love for Louise, his love for his music and violin playing, his skill? The indications of his devotion to his career, the visit to Louise's father? The failure and outburst at the rehearsal and his apologising? The intensity of his three weeks practice, the success at the concert? His decisions about his future, leaving Louise, leaving in the middle of the night with Effie? Rome and his success, the collage of his world tour?

7. The contrast with James Guest? American background, the war? His love for the piano? His infatuation with Louse? Playing her piano at night, making a pass at her? Helping her in her suicide attempt?

8. Louise's father and his strong attitudes, his attitudes towards his daughter, his dislike of Paul? His coming to his daughter's help with her attempted suicide? His acceptance of Guest? His finding out more about Paul? His plans for reuniting Louise with him? A portrait of an interfering and successful businessman?

9. Louise's decision to marry Guest, the effect on him and his drinking? The encounter with Paul and the revelation of the truth? Louise's presence with Guest during his training, her happiness at his success? Telling him the truth immediately before his recital? His having to play the recital by himself? His looking at her empty seat? His ultimate success and the vindication of her hopes?

10. Louise's decision to leave with Paul, Paul's arrival during the recital? Guest's success and disappointment with Louise’s absence? Discovering her on the empty stage and the basis for the future?

11. The portrait of the student group in Zurich, the tutors and the conductors, the world of professional music?
12. How entertaining a soap opera, the basic ingredients of careers and success, love and romance. marriage, failure? How much insight into relationships?