Humoreske (1946)

Humoreske: Directed by Jean Negulesco. With Joan Crawford, John Garfield, Oscar Levant, J. Carrol Naish. A classical musician from the slums is sidetracked by his love for a wealthy, neurotic socialite.

“Jean Negulescu, a director of Rumanian origin based in Hollywood since 1930s was responsible for several good films and u0026quot;Humoresqueu0026quot; is one of them.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003en Itu0026#39;s a good drama starring Joan Crawford who gives here one of her finest performances as Helen Wright, a cynical and selfish society woman who set her sight at a young talented violinist Paul Boray (John Garfield), offers help in making his carrier and later becomes concerned with his love, almost an obsession with his work – music, that comes to the point of neglecting (as she thinks) their relationship and herself personally – u0026quot;Iu0026#39;m tired of playing the second fiddle!u0026quot; u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e Significant part of the film has to do with New York, that is u0026quot;all full with all kinds of animals, and not all of them are born hereu0026quot; as says the most cynical character in the film Sid Jeffers played by Oscar Levant. Itu0026#39;s there that we witness several tribulations in Helen – Paulu0026#39;s relationship resulting in a tragic ending. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e Wittiness of the script is probably the most important ingredient of u0026quot;Humoresqueu0026quot; (besides Joan Crawfordu0026#39;s performance) which turns it into a good classic film that stands repeated viewing. 8/10”