Humoresque (1946)
John Garfield plays a violinist in Humoresque, a feat amazingly accomplished by Jean Negulesco’s brilliant staging. While John’s head is in the tight frame, another man’s hand holds and fingers the neck of the violin, and a third man’s hand operates the bow. It’s impossible to tell that John isn’t playing the instrument, and it’s very entertaining.
Clifford Odets’ script of the musical drama is surprisingly witty, with Oscar Levant quipping funny retorts as often as he shows off his beautiful piano playing. The film starts with Bobby Blake as a young John Garfield falling in love with the violin. His father, J. Carrol Naish, thinks it’s a waste of time but his mother Ruth Nelson supports him, a pattern that continues throughout the film. Later, when he grows up, he meets the wealthy and wild Joan Crawford. She’s ironically written to be near-sighted, which fits into the rest of her character.
If you’re a Joan Crawford fan, you’ll want to see one her classic ’40s dramas. She’s boozy, flirtatious, promiscuous, reserved, and still vulnerable. The movie itself is a bit soapy, but that’s what you’re expecting from a Joan Crawford movie, right? John Garfield shines when he plays, even though he’s not playing, because his expressions are so vivid it helps maintain the illusion. Negulesco’s direction feels very modern, with his flashy cuts and careful framing that often reminds the audience they’re watching a film, but it’s a great representation of the shift between pre-war and post-war filmmaking.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru, and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Joan Crawford movies here!
Clifford Odets’ script of the musical drama is surprisingly witty, with Oscar Levant quipping funny retorts as often as he shows off his beautiful piano playing. The film starts with Bobby Blake as a young John Garfield falling in love with the violin. His father, J. Carrol Naish, thinks it’s a waste of time but his mother Ruth Nelson supports him, a pattern that continues throughout the film. Later, when he grows up, he meets the wealthy and wild Joan Crawford. She’s ironically written to be near-sighted, which fits into the rest of her character.
If you’re a Joan Crawford fan, you’ll want to see one her classic ’40s dramas. She’s boozy, flirtatious, promiscuous, reserved, and still vulnerable. The movie itself is a bit soapy, but that’s what you’re expecting from a Joan Crawford movie, right? John Garfield shines when he plays, even though he’s not playing, because his expressions are so vivid it helps maintain the illusion. Negulesco’s direction feels very modern, with his flashy cuts and careful framing that often reminds the audience they’re watching a film, but it’s a great representation of the shift between pre-war and post-war filmmaking.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru, and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Joan Crawford movies here!