Song of Love (1947 film)
Song of Love is a 1947 American biopic film about the relationship between renowned 19th-century musicians Clara Wieck Schumann (Katharine Hepburn) and Robert Schumann (Paul Henreid). The film, which also stars Robert Walker and Leo G. Carroll, was directed by Clarence Brown and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Ivan Tors, Irma von Cube, Allen Vincent, and Robert Ardrey co-authored the screenplay, which was based on a play by Bernard Schubert and Mario Silva.
| Song of Love | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Clarence Brown |
| Screenplay by | Ivan Tors Irma von Cube Allen Vincent Robert Ardrey |
| Based on | Song of Love, the Life of Robert and Clara Schumann play by Bernard Schubert Mario Silva |
| Produced by | Clarence Brown |
| Starring | Katharine Hepburn Paul Henreid Robert Walker |
| Cinematography | Harry Stradling Sr. |
| Edited by | Robert Kern |
| Music by | Robert Schumann Johannes Brahms Franz Liszt |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Loew's Inc. |
Release date |
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Running time | 119 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,696,000[1] |
| Box office | $2,737,000[1] |
Plot summary
The film is a fictionalized romance set in the 19th century, focussing on musicians Clara Wieck Schumann (Katharine Hepburn), Robert Schumann (Paul Henreid) and Johannes Brahms (Robert Walker).
Clara takes a break from her thriving career as an acclaimed concert pianist to devote herself to her struggling composer husband Robert and their seven children. Johannes Brahms, Schumann's best student, takes a place in their home but falls in love with Clara and eventually realises he must move out.
Schumann works on his opera based on Faust but has no success in having it performed. Unable to cope with disappointment and failure, Robert eventually has a mental breakdown while conducting a performance. He loses his sanity and eventually dies in an asylum. Brahms eventually proposes marriage to Clara but she eventually rejects him saying she will always love Robert. She eventually devotes the rest of her life to preserving his music and his memory.[2]
Cast
- Katharine Hepburn as Clara Wieck Schumann
- Paul Henreid as Robert Schumann
- Robert Walker as Johannes Brahms
- Henry Daniell as Franz Liszt
- Leo G. Carroll as Professor Wieck
- Elsa Janssen as Bertha (as Else Janssen)
- Gigi Perreau as Julie
- 'Tinker' Furlong as Felix
- Ann Carter as Marie
- Janine Perreau as Eugenie
- Jimmy Hunt as Ludwig
- Anthony Sydes as Ferdinand
- Eilene Janssen as Elise
- Roman Bohnen as Dr. Hoffman
- Ludwig Stössel as Haslinger (as Ludwig Stossel)
- Byron Foulger as Bailiff (uncredited)
Production notes
Hepburn trained with a pianist for weeks prior to production so she could be filmed playing the piano convincingly.[3] When Henreid is playing piano, the hands of Ervin Nyiregyházi are seen.[4] The soundtrack for the picture was recorded by Arthur Rubinstein. Rubinstein said Hepburn played almost as well as he.[3]
Reception
The film earned $1,469,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $1,268,000 elsewhere resulting in a loss of $1,091,000.[1]
Variety listed the film as earning $3.1 million in U.S. and Canadian rentals in 1947.[5]
References
- "The Eddie Mannix Ledger" (Document). Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study..
- "Song of Love (1947) - Clarence Brown | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
- Chandler, Charlotte (2011). I Know Where I'm Going: Katharine Hepburn: A Personal Biography. Applause. p. 164.
- Bazanna, Kevin (2007). Lost Genius: The Curious and Tragic Story of an Extraordinary Musical Prodigy. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart; New York: Carroll & Graf; Cambridge: Da Capo Press. p. 205.
- "Top Grossers of 1947", Variety, 7 January 1948 p 63