Friday, July 26, 2024

Movie review - "The Broken Melody" (1938) *** (re-watching)

 A bunch of Hollywood tropes thrown in a blender which included FJ Thwaites' original novel - much changed but the bones are still there. It's about a nepo baby, awkwardly if likeably played by Lloyd Hughes, who is kicked out of college for brawling, then disowned by his dad, can't get a job, hooks up with Alec Kellaway and Diane du Cane, is poor, then eventually finds fame as a composer.

The relationship between Hughes and du Cane is contrived but nicely emotional. Rosalind Kennerdale is great fun as a diva though her being tied up at the end isn't that great - and my sympathy is kind of with her, I mean du Cane isn't entitled to a show. Frank Harvey hams it up.

Spectacular opera sequences. Striking opera. Hughes never convinces as someone who lives in Australia but he's fine.

I wonder why Shirley Ann Richards wasnt in this? Maybe the only natural role for her would be the sister which was too small. She could've played du Cane's part...

No comments: