Product Description

Glamorous socialite Helen Wright (Joan Crawford) takes what she wants clothes alcohol men uses them up and tosses them aside. Then she meets brilliant young violinist Paul Boray (John Garfield). But this is one toy she can't break. Instead her love for Paul brings Helen to the breaking point. In this acclaimed and profound exploration of desire Crawford makes Helen a rich layered character torn between selfless love and selfish impulses. Garfield matches her as the driven genius. Humoresque's production values extend to the musical interludes dubbed by Isaac Stern. Garfield's dazzling technique is thanks to two real violinists hidden behind him one to do the fingering and one the bow work. Bravo!Running Time: 125 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 012569673076

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26546 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2005-06-14
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 125 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
The greatness of John Garfield was that he was a tough guy who wasn't afraid to wear his sensitivity on his sleeve. What makes this such a great film is that director Jean Negulesco and his two writers (including Clifford Oddets) construct a complex web of ambiguity around Garfield's own torment. He's a violin virtuoso from the slums of New York who rises to the top with the assistance of socialite Joan Crawford (who was never better). There's a sexual intensity to his art that she wants to possess, and there's a vulnerability behind her lacerating façade that he wants to expose. They play each other like a couple of virtuosos, stripping each other's spirit away. What helps transcend this depression-era class struggle is its cool sophistication. It's a sublime noir about loneliness. Everyone knows his dream has hit a dead end, except Garfield. He refuses to give up, even after his soul is long gone. --Bill Desowitz

Customer Reviews

this is why There Will Never Be A Lady President
This film is drunk on ego, drowned in misogyny and dead on arrival. Like Victor Wright said to his spouse: what do you know, I hit the bullseye. But I'm getting ahead of myself. First things first, the film title is repulsive. "Humoresque" sounds so incredibly pretentious. It doesn't describe the movie or the plot really. Instead, it's a useless title for an otherwise useless film.

I'm not sure who I despised more, Helen or Paul Boray (what do you know, another stuck-up-sounding name.) It's hard to say because they were each such disgusting and selfish creatures. Paul was nothing more than a male prostitute. What else do you call a man who flaunts his wanton flesh and then sells his cheap body like something you'd see at the local discount-mart. And, when I look at Helen Wright all I see is a bitter, old lady that is incapable of accepting or giving any type of sincere love. She didn't love Paul and vice versa. They were both a couple of bankrupt people who did not know what love was because they didn't have any self-respect.

You know, it's so funny, isn't it? Jacob Julius Garfinkle otherwise known as John Garfield was living in his own private carnage. Here we have an American Jew who was forced to change his name and his identity. Not so he can save his life and not for the safety or well-being of his family. This was purely done so that he can be a big movie star. There's a famous saying that comes to mind: I would rather be hated for who I am than loved for what I am not. Perhaps there's a very thin line between John Garfield and the character in this movie. Each were a couple of deadbeats that perfected the art of selling out.

John Garfield was just another nobody. He totally reminds me of that little dimwit Rafer Weigel; these 2 have about as much charisma, intrigue and intelligence as a bag of wet hair. But John Garfield wasn't an actor. Especially when you consider that this is the movie that he is most known for. He wasn't acting. He was just reading his lines. The part of Paul Boray was really just another extension of himself. And now he's made out to be this huge martyr. Why? What did he do in this movie that was such a big deal? Better question, what did John Garfield do that was ever important?

I also hate this movie because this is really the movie that put Joan's career in a downward spiral that she never got out of. Can you believe that this is what she made after her defining-movie? It's so unexpected and even trivial and unimportant when you think about it.

As you may know, the original movie was more about the family and the mother/son relationship. Why couldn't they have stuck to that script? I found the role of Mrs. Boray (Ruth Nelson) the only multifaceted character in this entire movie. She was excellent. (Incidentally, if we were to believe the lies that Joan has given about her real birthday, then there's only a 2 year age difference between the 2!) I like the part when Mrs. Boray gave her son that much needed slap. Dare I say she should have clocked him with a closed fist, though.

Out of every single movie that Joan made there was always something that I could identify with. Even when she played such horrible, heartless people. But there is no humanity or humility or identity to "Humoresque." This is the only Joan Crawford movie with such a completely unlikable star. But everyone in the film is loathsome (with 1 or 2 small exceptions.) Don't get me wrong, Joan was in many bad movies. Many, many, many. But she always cleaned up her act and always was a professional. And no matter how lousy the story was or how unimportant the entire movie was she still gave one hell of a performance. That's not so in "Humoresque." "Humoresque" is a potentially good/fair movie that Joan was just awful in.

A large amount of fault also lays with Jean Negulesco, who just did such a paltry job. The very worst thing a director can do is forget about the audience. And it's surprising (not to mention shameful) that a star like Joan who never forgot her public would allow him to get away with this. Joan's audience or core fan-base were American Women. How could our mothers and sisters and grandmothers relate to Helen Wright?

Joan was extremely miscast in this movie. And if you look closely, you will see that this is really the first movie where she appears old, harried, tired and just plain worn out. Look closely at her face. It looks like she aged 10 years between 1945 and 1946. There was a hardness in her that she was never really able to shake either. I know Joan was not proud of this movie or of her performance. Perhaps this is her only film where she got lazy. This movie was made at the pinnacle-peak of her career and maybe she simply felt that she could do no wrong?

But there's a lot wrong here. Helen Wright was a horrible, man-stealing, gold-digging, worthless, useless individual. Yes, the character is unlikable. But, Joan is also unlikable in this movie. Because as I stated, she gives such a rushed, hurried, and utterly substandard performance.

There were so many parts in this movie that were detestable. I think the first scene with Helen was my least favorite. She can been seen flirting with any warm body that will sit still long enough to listen to her effluent. And her poor hubby Victor (Paul Cavanagh) has the saddest puppydog eyes as he just looks on. Helen's behavior was just terribly pathetic. I did feel bad for Victor because no one deserves this type of ruthless and vicious treatment. (And truth be told, it was also a rather crass thing when Helen's little manwhore totally ignored her when she came to visit his rehearsal. There really is something to be said about the hair of the dog that bit you!)

When Helen meets Paul the movie goes from lackluster to schmuck-sucker. What did Paul see in this horrible man-eater? Oh wait, I know: money and attention. So the two carry on like a couple of animals. Did you notice that as soon as Paul's violon was getting waxed (courtesy of always-hungry-for-sloppy-seconds, Helen) he started to be less of a d-i-c-k?

The one featurette on the DVD was interesting. But as usual my disc skipped several times during the movie. I also own the home-video, which although has lousy picture and sound, was viewable. It seems like Warner Home Video's DVDs often do this. I know what you're thinking and stop right now. I never base any of my reviews on the quality of the DVD; the rating is always based on the specific content of the movie.

I was debating between either a 1 star or 2 stars for this. But I realized that I have to give it 1 star because I hated it. Every time I watch this movie I always feel very disturbed afterwards. (I feel like I have to watch MP like 5 times just to get the bad taste out of my mouth that "Humoresque" is so intent on leaving behind.) There isn't anything redeeming or remotely positive about this feature film. This is the movie that Joan Crawford sold herself to the devil for. So 1 star; Joan and Johnny earned every bit of it.

In Joan's own words when asked about this movie: I have mixed feelings about this one. And most of the time I thought I was doing well. But when I finally saw it, not just the rushes, or the unedited film, but the final print, I cringed. I overreacted and overreacted in so many scenes. I don't know. I should have done better.

The last scene with Helen was very pathetic. Because by now this viewer had lost any and all hope in the heroine. I frankly didn't care if she lived or died. They say that suicide is just a huge cry for attention. It's totally a narcissistic act and such a violent act. And that's how I'm going to remember this entire movie.

Five Star Melodrama
This is the movie that made me fall in love with John Garfield. I personally think it is his finest film and shows that he could hold his own against any leading lady of his time. John Garfield was at his best as the guy who was trouble, but the guy you couldn't resist. In this film he is the ultimate bad boy, and Joan Crawford is perfect as the woman who falls for him, and falls hard. Because John Garfield died at such a young age, you may not know who John Garfield is. Take a look at this movie. I think you will be looking for more of his films!

Humoresque
Warners was quick to capitalize on Crawford's Oscar-winning turn in "Mildred Pierce", promptly casting her opposite John Garfield in "Humoresque." Another intense performance from Joan is complemented by a steely turn from Garfield (with Isaac Stern doubling on violin). The inimitable Oscar Levant provides welcome comic relief as Paul's friend, Sid. "Humoresque" is a lavishly photographed, first-rate soap opera. Don't miss Joan's walk on the beach.