From the time he was a little boy, Paul Boray (John Garfield) has been in love with the violin. When all the other boys in the neighborhood were longing for toys and baseball equipment, Paul's heart was set on a violin. Though his father refuses to buy him one and even discourages a musical career, Paul's mother, believing his interest in music will amount to something, buys him the beloved instrument for a birthday present. Mother is right---Paul is devoted to his music and grows to manhood, still passionate about playing.
Although the country is in the throes of the Depression, Paul, who is unemployed and part of a poor family, is determined to make it big with his music. Through a friend, he is provided with an opportunity; however, because of his arrogance and know-it-all attitude, Paul is let go. He yearns to debut at a concert, but without a manager to pave the way for him, that is not going to happen. One evening, though, he attends a party at the home of a wealthy, socially prominent couple, and, encouraged by a drunk woman, Paul plays his violin. Party hostess, Helen Wright (Joan Crawford), takes notice of Paul, and despite sparring first words between them, Helen is soon taken with Paul. Claiming she is interested in Mr. Boray as an artist, Helen sets up a concert for him, and as he plays, she is enthralled.
A heavy drinker with a weak-willed husband, Helen becomes completely obsessed with Paul, eventually picking out his clothes, inviting him for swims at her oceanfront home, and getting jealous when she sees him lunching with another woman. Although Paul's mother is unsettled about the amount of time he is spending with the married Mrs. Wright, he intends to run his own life, and in due time, he and Helen have begun an affair.
Crazy with love for Paul, it's more than an affair to Helen---she intends to obtain a divorce from Victor so that she and Paul can be married. Is that what Paul wants, though? The real love of his life is his music. Does he have room in his heart for anything else?
Humoresque is an amazing film. Joan Crawford . . . John Garfield . . . melodrama . . . beautiful music . . . passion . . . it's got it all!! The acting was fabulous. Yes, Miss Crawford was sensational; however, I truly believe this was Garfield's show. He was completely brilliant (as he almost always was!) and more than held his own with her. In fact, to my mind, he upstaged her!! The chemistry between them was undeniable---they completely sizzled and smoked and ignited the screen with their passion. (I do, however, think the chemistry between Garfield and Lana Turner in The Postman Always Rings Twice was even more powerful and sensual.)
The supporting cast was great, especially Oscar Levant as Paul's pianist friend, Sid, and Ruth Nelson as Paul's mother. Portraying Paul as a boy was Bobby Blake, who would grow up to be known as Robert Blake of TV's Baretta. I was a huge fan of that show way back in the 70's, and I could easily see the resemblance between little boy Bobby and grown man Robert.
The music in the film is beyond beautiful! Quite honestly, the movie is worth viewing for the music alone. And the filming was fantastic. Mr. Garfield was not doing his own violin playing, yet it looked completely as if he was. It amazes me how a good director can accomplish such a feat. The final several minutes, which feature a lovesick Joan Crawford and an incredibly gorgeous concerto, are powerful...and haunting.
Out on DVD, Humoresque should be very easy to track down. Additionally, it is on the TCM schedule for Monday, April 30th. Definitely try to catch this one if you've never seen it before. I think it's a film which powerfully shows that they just don't make 'em like they used to!!
Happy viewing!!
