Carnegie Hall (1947)

33% of users liked it
(28 ratings)

Auteur theorists who've charted the career of "cult" director Edgar G. Ulmer have seldom mentioned Carnegie Hall, simply because it was more expensive than most of Ulmer's films and thus can't be regarded a "low-budget masterpiece." The wafer-thin plotline concerns a young immigrant woman (Marsha… More Auteur theorists who've charted the career of "cult" director Edgar G. Ulmer have seldom mentioned Carnegie Hall, simply because it was more expensive than most of Ulmer's films and thus can't be regarded a "low-budget masterpiece." The wafer-thin plotline concerns a young immigrant woman (Marsha Hunt) who takes a job as a Carnegie Hall cleaning woman. Her love of music leads her to a better job in the Hall, and after several years she rises to the position of concert organizer. The woman uses her clout to promote her own son's career as a pianist. Carnegie Hall showcases a number of celebrated musicians. Selections include: Arthur Rubinstein performing Chopin's Polonaise in A Flat, Jascha Heifetz performing Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in G Major by Tchaikovsky, Ezio Pinza singing both the drinking song from Don Giovanni and one of the arias from Simon di Boccanegra, Lily Pons singing The Bell Song from Lakme by Delibes, and Jan Peerce singing O Sole Mio.The film also includes musical performances by Bruno Walter,Rise Stevens, Gregor Piatagorsky, Harry James, Vaughn Monroe, Leopold Stokowski, and others. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 16 min.
Directed By: Edgar G. Ulmer
Written By: Karl Kamb
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 28, 1947 Wide
On DVD: Mar 8, 2005

Critic Reviews

Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Brilliant visual style meets great music in one of the little known gems of the 1940's.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
70-odd minutes worth of dismal drama and 60-odd minutes of sometimes breathtaking performances from some of the most important names in classical music of that era.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The dialogue is unintentionally funny.

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Cast

            Emile Boreo as Henry

            Marsha Hunt as Nora Ryan

            Joseph Buloff as Anton Tribik

            William Prince as Tony Salerno Jr.

            Frank McHugh as John Donovan

            Walter Damrosch as Guest Artist

            Martha O'Driscoll as Ruth Haines

            Hans Yaray as Tony Salerno Sr.

            Harold Dyrenforth as Walter Damrosch

            Olin Downes as Himself

            Jascha Heifetz as Guest Artist

            Harry James as Guest Artist

            Jan Peerce as Guest Artist

            Ezio Pinza as Guest Artist

            Lily Pons as Guest Artist

            Fritz Reiner as Guest Artist

            Artur Rubinstein as Guest Artist

            Rise Stevens as Guest Artist

            Leopold Stokowski as Guest Artist

            Vaughn Monroe
            
            The New York Philharmonic
            
            Gregor Piatigorsky
            
            Bruno Walter
            
            Artur Rodzinski
            
            Arthur Rubinstein
            
See full cast

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