Tu seras un homme, mon fils

Expecting to be bored but knowing my wife would love the music, I sat through 'The Eddie Duchin Story.' I'd never heard of Duchin, except to know his son, Peter, was a fine pianist. Earlier in the evening, I'd endured 'The Passion of the Christ,' and I really wasn't in the mood for another downbeat movie. Much to my surprise, I loved every aspect of 'Duchin.' Columbia's 'Monroe,' Kim Novak got top billing, much to my surprise, since Tyrone Power was still a top matinée idol. Well, let me tell you, whatever jokes you've heard about Novak, you'll forget them when you see her a Marjorie, Duchin's doomed socialite wife. Appearing less than an hour, Novak's grace and sweetness permeates the whole movie. You'll adore Novak as much as Duchin. Power is only slightly less effective, but he has a much rougher job. Power is in his mid forties when he plays Duchin, and he must play the first hour as a man in his mid twenties. Power is so frenetic, so energetic and earnest, you fear he's going to have a heart attack. He did, three years later on 'Solomon and Sheba' and died on the spot. Anyway, back to 'Duchin.' James Whitmore is magnificent, as usual in a small role as Duchin's manager. His little bit of business putting on his hat near the end of the film perfectly captures and advance the mood of the movie. Victoria Shaw is given the thankless role of Duchin's second wife, and she hit just the right notes to make an impression without overpowering the narrative. After all, this is Duchin's story, and her part of it is a small but key part. Rex Thompson is perfect as young Peter Duchin, displaying all the emotional conflicts a child would endure with his history. He has an absolutely great scene near the end of the film, but I won't spoil by telling you what happens. Let's just say he takes of the responsibilities of manhood far younger than a child should. Warren Hsieh as the native boy, is wonderful in helping to capture the mood that is yet another turning point in Duchin's life.

Producer Jerry Wald has spared no expense at recreating a era in a manner as convincing as 'Titanic'. Director George Sydney once again proves he is skilled with a camera as he is with actors. The first kiss between Powers and Novak is seen as a reflection in a puddle. Just beautiful! George Duning provides the incredible score. Carmen Cavallaro performs the great piano classics..

I don't cry in movies too often. I didn't cry once in 'The Passion of the Christ'. But I couldn't hold back tears in many scenes in 'The Eddie Duchin Story'. That's saying a lot. Sure, 'The Eddie Duchin Story' is soap. But, there are many kinds of soap. Oil of Olay leaves you feeling fresh and clean and invigorated. So does 'The Eddie Duchin Story'. I give 'The Eddie Duchin Story' a '10'.

There is a back narrative about Tyrone Power and his involvement in The Eddy Duchin Story (TEDS) that is quite interesting and worth sharing. In 1955, Power had just completed the film Untamed for Henry King/Twentieth Century-Fox and was winding down his long contractual association with that studio. Power was increasingly disillusioned with his recent film assignments, and yearned to go back on the stage. He had just concluded theatrical assignments in Stephen Vincent Benet's John Brown's Body (1952-1953) and Christopher Fry's The Dark Is Light Enough (1954-1955) that gave him considerable personal satisfaction and generated much positive critical acclaim. When the latter play closed in Boston during May of 1955, Power wanted to continue with the theatrical phase of his acting career. It was around this time that Power agreed to star in a new play titled A Quiet Place (AQP) by young playwright Julian Claman. It dealt with the tribulations of a middle-aged American composer trying to write a new musical score while striving to save his failing marriage. Staged by Delbert Mann (of Marty (1955) fame), AQP opened in New Haven during late November,1955. After continuing its brief tryouts in Boston, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, AQP moved on to Washington, D. C.-----where it closed on New Year's Eve. Subsequent scheduled play dates in Philadelphia and New York for AQP were then cancelled.

AQP itself was a critical failure, although the actors in it generally received good notices. Power in particular was positively singled out for his realistic depiction of a serious composer, including his natural performance of suggested piano playing. A personal aside. I happened to see AQP during its Pittsburgh engagement-----and can attest to the validity of the above comments based upon my own actual experience.

Power did not appear in another stage production until a revival of Shaw's The Devil's Disciple was mounted in early 1956. It was was just when AQP had folded that the opportunity appeared for Power to act the title character in a proposed new biopic to be called The Eddy Duchin Story! It seemed to be either fate or coincidence or both that TEDS involved a musician who also played the piano just as Power recently did in in AQP. Power's preparation for AQP obviously helped him to deal with and successfully execute the extended important scenes in TEDS that required him to suggest virtuoso piano playing. As we know, the actual piano work in TEDS was done by Carmen Cavallaro. But having personally seen Power in both AQP and TEDS----probably a unique admission for someone to affirm at this point in time------his "faking" great piano playing was and is a truly remarkable piece of work and deserves the considerable praiseworthy attention that it garnered from both his fans and critics.

Power was well known to be one of Hollywood's most handsome men. Possibly this may help explain why he seldom received the acting recognition that should have been his. The way he was able to perform as an accomplished pianist in both AQP and TEDS must surely be singled out for appropriate recognition as a unique and remarkable acting achievement.

Tyrone Power and Errol Flynn were probably the two greatest cinematic action heroes of their generation. Both died young----Power at age 44 of a heart attack in 1958 and Flynn at age 50 of an abused life style just one year later. They were extraordinary performers-----we will not see their likes again. That Power was also able to broaden his acting range by accepting the challenge to appear on the stage while at the same time being a Hollywood film performer of the first rank is not sufficiently recognized------as it should be. Perhaps this review may help to correct that situation.

Eddy Duchin's music was so beautiful. He had a magic touch at the piano. Unfortunately, his real life was so tragic.

Tyrone Power shines as Duchin. From his beginnings to success, Power evoked the right temperament in portraying this musician brilliantly.

Kim Novak, just off an awful performance in the acclaimed "Picnic," the year before, gives a wonderful supporting performance as Duchin's ill-fated first wife. Who can forget her fear of rain and thunder? Who can forget that thunder scene in the hospital as her life ends?

Victoria Shaw, as Eddy's second wife, is also quite good. She brings Eddy back so that life is worth living for him and is able to reconcile him with his young son, whose birth Duchin blamed for the death of his first wife.

We are fortunate to have had such a picture made and the legacy that Duchin left-his playing as well as his son, musician Peter Duchin.

The "Eddy Duchin Story" was one of the nicest movies to ever come out of Hollywood. I remember my father taking my mother to see it at least half dozen times. Reason? The music.

For a number of years we had the old soundtrack LP around and if anyone knows where I can get a copy of this on either CD or cassette, I would be eternally grateful for the information.

If I were a critic (and I have yet to have anyone adequately tell me how one goes about becoming one), I would not be so cavalier in dispatching this movie as a contrivance. If you do, you miss the point - the music.

Lights!

In the 1920s, post-collegiate pianist Tyrone Power (as Eddy Duchin) arrives at New York City's "Central Park Casino" expecting to be employed by big band leader Leo Reisman. At first, the job doesn't pan out, but Mr. Power's "sweet" piano-playing style eventually takes Manhattan (and the world) by storm. He receives ample feminine support from beautiful blonde socialite Kim Novak (as Marjorie Oelrichs), who quickly becomes "Mrs. Duchin". But, on their wedding night, Ms. Novak has a nightmarish premonition of tragedy. And, if you know anything about how these biographical films go, you're already expecting a great tragedy…

"The Eddy Duchin Story" is highly fictionalized. However, an Internet search for biographical information on the real Mr. Duchin shows not only his remarkable string of hit recordings, but also that the two tragedies occurring in this film really happened. It's like Mr. Duchin's life was tailor-made for one of these tear-jerking biography movies.

Power, who is a little too old for the early years, nevertheless does an excellent job in the role. He begins to look vaguely like Duchin, obviously worked hard on his characterization, and really makes the story work. Playing like a pro, young son Rex Thompson (as Peter Duchin) is a chip off the old block. And, when Novak takes her bow, up-and-coming Victoria Shaw (as "Chiquita" Wynn) sexily fills the screen. Producer Jerry Wald, director George Sidney, and the "Columbia" team make it a beautiful-looking and sounding picture, with the cinematography and music positively hitting the senses on both cylinders.

******** The Eddy Duchin Story (6/13/56) George Sidney ~ Tyrone Power, Rex Thompson, Kim Novak, Victoria Shaw