Forget Me Not

Joan Gardner and Italian tenor Beniamino Gigli are the unlikely lovers in this effective,low key British Romantic Musical Drama of the Thirties. Quietly pretty Joan gives a very believable performance as the Secretary,travelling with her boss on an Ocean liner bound for New York. On board,she meets and is subsequently wooed,by Ship's Officer Ivan Brandt:Not the most reliable fellow on board,as his Girlfriend(Jeanne Stuart) is also a passenger! Regardless,Joan falls for him,partially entranced by the loudspeaker recording of famous tenor Curti(Gigli) singing the pleasing "Non Ti Sordar di Me"(Do Not Forget Me). However,her shipboard romance is scuppered by a jealous Jeanne Stuart. Back on shore,a downcast Miss Gardner is persuaded by her Employer to accompany him to a Curti performance. Her reaction is spotted by Curti from the stage,and he sends an aide to find her. Meanwhile,coincidentally,Joan has befriended his pleasant young son at the hotel where they both reside. They meet,and the Widower Curti proposes:She accepts and they marry. However,after a year or so accompanying her new Husband and son on tour back in Europe,her ex-lover suddenly re-appears. He wants her to leave Curti and go away with him,claiming his love for her! She is torn between her erstwhile love for him,and her loyalty and devotion to her husband. Curti receives a mail saying that his wife is about to elope with Brandt,and is heartbroken when she leaves his current Concert. He believes that she has left him,and disconsolately returns to his little boy. Has she?? The closing camera shot encapsulates the reason for her final decision. Joan Gardner is very good,giving an understated but heartfelt performance with no histrionics:Obviously down to Zoltan Korda's clever direction. And Beniamino Gigli,though not much of an actor,does convey the required anxiety and apprehension the part demands. And his singing is excellent:The title song,of course,and "O Sole Mio",plus a handful of Opera classics. Ivan Brandt, Jeanne Stuart and little Richard Gofe are more than adequate in their supporting roles. Out of interest The movie was released as "Forget-Me-Not",with hyphons! Worth watching.

"Forever Yours" aka "Forget-Me-Not" Not a false or forced moment. Heartbreak, Loneliness, Longing, and the spell of music to inspire healing, devotion, and desire-for either true love or our delusions. Simply shot, seamless marriage of story and themes. Fine restrained acting by all, powerful even with minimum closeups, and selfless opera performances by Gigli. A different cinema grammar In 1930s Britain than in Hollywood, refreshes our wonder in the language of even a modest film to hit you where you live. Would recommend to many viewers who enjoy patient, subtle, truthful stories of our hearts longings.

Though others disagree, for me, the beautiful, heartfelt singing of Benjamino Gigli was the highlight of this film. I realize he wasn't particularly well recorded, but the emotion of his voice came through.

Gigli is a widowed opera star, Enzo Curti, who falls for a disillusioned secretary, Helen (Joan Gardner). Helen fell in love on board ship, but is fed devastating information about her intended by a rival (Jeanne Stuart). Enamored with Curti's voice, his sweetness, and his son, she marries him.

Most of the story is Gigli's singing, particularly a song Joan shared with her shipboard romance, Non Ti Scordar Di Me (Do Not Forget Me). It's a great opportunity to hear him sing some wonderful arias, including La Donna 'e Mobile, Di Quella Pira, and others. Just beautiful.

The courtship between Curti and Helen is adorable, as he doesn't speak English, and the little boy is cute without being cloying.

As a side note, both the lead women were married to big shots: Gardner to Zoltan Korda, and Stuart to the Baron de Rothschild. Wow and wow again.

Gigli was one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century, and though there are better showcases for him, this isn't bad.

I recall seeing this movie 50 years ago when very young and impressionable, and needless to say I'm still impressed by it. This is a poignant, unfolding story of shipboard romance, disappointed love, and then overcoming unrequited love and finding solace in learning to care again for others, but is that a true substitute for love?

Joan Gardner, as Helen, must decide if she is still in love with her former handsome seafaring flame, or has it really died out after they went separate ways, and she married another?

B. Gigli, as the great singer Enzo Curti, has been left with only his small son after his wife died. At one of his concerts he notices Helen who is in tears when he sings his memorable song, "Non ti scordar de me" and is deeply attracted to her but his poor English hinders him. Eventually they meet and arrange to meet again the next day when, surprise, Gigli brings along a huge dictionary! That gets him over the hurdle somewhat as far as words are concerned. It's a lovely and touching affection that springs to life between them.

There are so many wonderful operatic melodies which Gigli sings in his golden voice, yet the title of the movie (translated)"Do Not Forget Me" dominates as it is sung as background music earlier and as a concert hall solo also.

It's an unforgettable hit. Just enjoy and treasure the moments!

Dull English love story. Fast forward to the glorious singing.