Melba
1953 · Movie · 112 min. · United Kingdom
The highly fictionalized story of Nellie Melba, Australian-born soprano who rose to operatic fame in the latter part of the 19th century and who had a dessert and form of dry toast (true) named after her. In her film debut, the Metropolitan opera's Patrice Munsel, plays the title role in a film that primarily strings together eight excerpts from well-known operas as well as one or two lighter numbers and a montage of famous opera personalities featuring the chorus of the Covent Garden Opera and members of the Sadler Wells Ballet. The story follows the career of Melba from the time she left her father's Australian cattle ranch and a suitor to travel to Paris to get her voice training, and picks up another suitor. She debuts in Brussells and is a smash hit followed by international fame. The suitor from Australia shows up in Monte Carlo, marries her and soon is cast in the role of "Mr. Melba" until he can take it no longer and returns to Australia...
Direction Lewis Milestone
Cast Patrice Munsel · Robert Morley · John McCallum · John Justin · Alec Clunes · Martita Hunt · Sybil Thorndike · Joseph Tomelty · Beatrice Varley · Violetta Elvin · Cecile Chevreau · Theodore Bikel
Screenplay Harry Kurnitz
Cinematography Arthur Ibbetson · Edward Scaife
Original title Melba
—
Not rated (FilmAffinity)
Add to lists
Share