The story traces Marjorie's long, hard road to the top, her success on two continents, and her turbulent marriage to American doctor Thomas King. While touring South America in 1941, Lawrence is stricken with polio, which not only abruptly stops her career but briefly robs her of the will to live. With her husband's help, she makes a triumphant return to opera and the concert stage, beginning by singing for hospitalized soldiers and troops overseas. She returns to the Metropolitan Opera, appearing in a full production of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde.
In 1947, it was reported that Marjorie Lawrence was writing her memoirs, titled Interrupted Melody, and that she wanted Greer Garson to play her in a film.[4] The book was published in 1950. The Chicago Tribune called it "engrossing".[5]
In June 1951, MGM, which had just had a huge success with The Great Caruso, another biopic of an opera star, announced that it had bought the screen rights to the book. Jack Cummings was going to produce, and Kathryn Grayson was a possible star.[6] Other possible leads were Greer Garson and Deborah Kerr, who would use Lawrence's voice.[7] Lawrence flew to Hollywood in July to have discussions with Cummings and Sonya Levien, who was to do the script.[8] In December, MGM announced Lana Turner would play the lead with filming to begin in February.[9] However, filming did not proceed. In July 1952, MGM said Garson would be playing the lead and William Ludwig was working on the script.[10] By February 1953, the studio had postponed production again.[11] In December 1953, the film was put back on MGM's schedule with Garson still attached.[12]
On April 7, 1954, The New York Times announced that Eleanor Parker would play the part because all the other candidates, with the exception of Lana Turner, had left MGM. The article reported that Lawrence had recorded the songs for the film.[13] Filming started in September 1954. According to Parker, the filmmakers could not use Marjorie Lawrence's voice, because she had lost her upper register. Parker could read music and had a firm soprano voice with perfect pitch. She prepared for the singing aspect of her role by listening to the numbers for weeks, and she sang them during the filming in full voice instead of lip-synching.[14] The singing was dubbed by Eileen Farrell, who appears on screen early in the film, as a student struggling to hit a high note in a scene with the singing teacher Mme. Gilly (Ann Codee) .[15]
Glenn Ford would only appear in the film if he got top billing. Parker says: "I wanted to do what was right for the picture, so I said: 'Let him have the top billing.' Glenn was a kind of a difficult man, but he was right for the picture and a very fine actor."[15]
A key supporting role was given to Roger Moore, who had just made The Last Time I Saw Paris for MGM and had been put under contract to the studio.[16]
Filming had finished by November 1954.[17] The film was previewed in January 1955.[18]
In February 1955, The New York Times published a photo spread showing scenes from the film.[19]
Reception
According to MGM records, the film cost $2,367,000 to produce, and made $1,801,000 in the US and Canada and $2,227,000 overseas.[2]
In a contemporary review of the film in The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther described it as "tender and moving," "a stirring drama, plus a handsome and melodious one," and "a tale of personal triumph and recovery that is rendered the more eloquent and taut by the ample production of gorgeous music."[20] Film critic Derek Winnert wrote in 2013 that the film "is still an extremely enjoyable old-style heart-lifter and spirit-raiser. It is Parker’s show all the way but Glenn Ford is on top form too as the husband," and noted that "Eileen Farrell performs Parker’s vocals in eight beautiful arias – from Verdi, Puccini, Richard Wagner and Bizet’s Carmen. Amusingly, Farrell [also] plays a singing student of Mme Gilly (Ann Codee) who cannot seem to hit the right notes."[21]
Walter Ducloux conducted the MGM Studio Symphony Orchestra. MGM published a selection of eleven numbers on an original motion picture soundtrack album.
^Griffin, Helga M. "Marjorie Florence Lawrence (1907–1979)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
^ abcThe Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
^Domestic take see also "The Top Box-Office Hits of 1955", Variety Weekly, January 25, 1956.
^Cassidy, Claudia (Dec 17, 1947). "ON THE AISLE: Lawrence Calls Her Story 'Interrupted Melody' And Garson Wants To Do It On The Screen". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 39.
^Barry, Edward (Jan 29, 1950). "Diva's Story of Fight for Fame and Life". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. I11.
^THOMAS F. BRADY (6 June 1951). "FILM GUILD MOVES AGAINST FOX CUTS: Screen Writers Are Urged Not to Comply With Proposal for Salary Reductions". New York Times. p. 37.
^Schallert, Edwin (June 19, 1951). "Drama: Garson Likely to Act Lawrence Role; Bettger, Lockhart Villainous". Los Angeles Times. p. B7.
^"Barrie Play at Paramount". New York Times. 20 July 1951. p. 13.
^THOMAS M. PRYOR (Dec 24, 1951). "LANA TURNER GETS OPERA SINGER ROLE: Star Will Portray Marjorie Lawrence, Victor Over Polio, in 'Interrupted Melody' Bob Hope Film to Start Of Local Origin". New York Times. p. 9.
^Schallert, Edwin (July 11, 1952). "Drama: Garson in 'Interrupted Melody;' Bacon-Bergman and Bjork Deals on Fire". Los Angeles Times. p. B9.
^THOMAS M. PRYOR (Feb 16, 1953). "KNOPF TO PRODUCE STORY BY ERSKINE: Unpublished 'Diane de Poitiers' Will Be Filmed Independently -- Garson Eyed for Lead". New York Times. p. 16.
^Schallert, Edwin (Dec 26, 1953). "Drama: Ursula Thiess New Star of 'Americano;' Disney Sets Verne Launching". Los Angeles Times. p. A7.
