The Great Victor Herbert

"Hear 28 Victor Herbert Melodies"

Dec 29 1939 Approved 1h 31m
Biography, Music, Musical

In his last film assignment, portly Walter Connolly fills the title role (in more ways than one) in The Great Victor Herbert. Very little of Herbert's life story is incorporated in the screenplay (a closing title actually apologizes for the film's paucity of cold hard facts); instead, the writers allow the famed composer's works to speak for themselves. In the tradition of one of his own operettas, Herbert spends most of his time patching up the shaky marriage between tenor John Ramsey (Allan Jones) and Louise Hall (Mary Martin). Many of Herbert's most famous compositions are well in evidence, including "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life", "March of the Toys" and "Kiss Me Again", the latter performed con brio by teenaged coloratura Susanna Foster. Evidently, the producers were able to secure the film rights for the Herbert songs, but not for the stage productions in which they appeared, which may explain such bizarre interpolations as having a song from Naughty Marietta.

Plot

A fictionalized version of famous opera composer Victor Herbert where he witnesses the romance, stardom, parenthood, and troubled experiences of his star singers.

Written by

Russel Crouse, Robert Lively, Andrew L. Stone

Directed by

Andrew L. Stone

Cast

Allan Jones, Mary Martin, Walter Connolly

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Paramount

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 2 Oscars. 2 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
145
Average Rating
5.5 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA