Laisse-moi t'aimer

When the film begins, Fredda Barlo (Lana Turner) is on tour, singing up a storm across Europe. Prince Alexis (Ezio Pinza) is captivated by her and stalks her until she falls for him (not a very healthy cliche, I know). However, soon after they begin their affair, the King dies and Prince Alexis is swept off to assume the throne.

Years pass. Fredda is now a big film star and she and Alexis lost contact due to WWII. Now, out of the blue, he has returned and wants Fredda for his snookie-wookie. Can this meeting at a desert resort rekindle their love or is 'Mr. Imperium' (the alias the King is now using) wasting his time?

Ezio Pinza was new to acting, having spent the years before this film as a successful opera and Broadway singer. As his first film, he has a lovely voice going for him but he also is rather old to be wooing a significantly younger woman. He also could have used captions, as occasionally I couldn't understand what he was saying...as his accent was quite thick. MGM thought his debut was a bomb and they shelved the film for a year...not a good sign at all. But is it, in spite of this, any good? Yes...and no. I think the film works reasonably well DESPITE him. Pinza might have been a lovely leading man back in the 30s...but by 1951, he simply looked old...which, he was for his film debut in his mid-50s. As for Miss Turner, she's pretty much her usual self in this one, though it's sad MGM didn't cast someone who could sing in this role. Overall, a mildly entertaining film and not the bomb I expected...though this is hardly a glowing endorsement.

By the way, if you do see the picture, look for a young Debbie Reynold about midway through the story.

Lana's a singer who ultimately falls for a prince, a real prince.

The best way to review a movie of someone's favorite actor, is to ask what if someone else played that part? Well, if anyone else had been in this movie other than Lana, I probably wouldn't have watched it. While it may not win any awards, it's not terribly bad either; in fact, it's the kind of film you'd remember fondly. I could see someone watching this late at night or on vacation and enjoying its simplicity. It's very charming and also stars a young Debbie Reynolds and Marjorie Main ("Ma Kettle")and Ezio Pinza does have a great voice. But, having said all that, I get the feeling watching it that this project must have come to Lana at a career low. Watching such a big guy as Ezio Pinza in certain scenes (you'd have to see it to know what I mean) was just too much, becoming either unintentionally funny or just plain silly. It might would have been more effective, had they picked a younger male lead with more appeal. But upon seeing this again recently, I couldn't get over how much I liked its unpretentiousness and somewhat carefree attitude, despite the serious ending with the letter the son wrote that Ezio read over the phone. It all worked to make a straightforward film, not trying to be anything but what it is.

If I had to pick the four of Lana's films that I think are the weakest, they would be "Bittersweet Love", "The Prodigal", "Love Has Many Faces", and maybe this one. But this is much better than the others. Finally, though, I would have to say that a movie's ending makes you either satisfied or dissatisfied with it. Usually short movies wrap things up with a pat or forced resolution and too quickly. This ending flowed and allowed you to feel your way out...

In other words, only Lana fans would watch this, and only they will be rewarded in small ways. While no Lana classic, this is very enjoyable and deserves to get more attention for being another example of good clean family entertainment like they used to make.

On assignment in scenic Italy, beautiful lip-synching Lana Turner (as Fredda Barlo) meets older singer and prince Ezio Pinza (as Mr. Imperium). The two fall in love, while enjoying the pretty Italian countryside. Unhappily, Mr. Pinza is called away to his Kingly father's death bed, leaving Lana in the lurch. Twelve years later, Ms. Turner is a Los Angeles actress, about to make a motion picture about falling in love with a King. Turner is being romanced by co-star Barry Sullivan, who wants to marry her - then, King Pinza re-enters her life...

"Mr. Imperium" provides a tired storyline for sex symbol Turner and debuting bass vocalist Pinza, who appeared for several decades with the New York Metropolitan Opera. Pinza likely earned his MGM feature film career after appearing in the hugely successful stage production of "South Pacific" (1949). The cast album, and Pinza's golden "Some Enchanted Evening" single, sold millions. Supporting casters Marjorie Main, Cedric Hardwicke, and Debbie Reynolds give the film a even greater sense of wasted resources.

*** Mr. Imperium (1951) Don Hartman ~ Lana Turner, Ezio Pinza, Barry Sullivan

Nothing has changed much in Hollywood, MALE producers still seem to think that the world is full of young women "attracted" to old men. While that is obviously the truth in Hollywood, I can't remember the last time a twenty-something (without a daddy complex) went wild over a 60 year old man. Here we have another example of it on film though with Lana Turner who is barely 30 in this movie and the old fart she falls madly in love with (Ezio Pinza) being 60! Ugh, hard to watch, makes the movie a joke. There is even a line in the movie where a 19 year old Debbie Reynolds says "He is good looking." Right, like "Isn't my Grampa dreamy???" Yuck, enough to make your skin crawl. Unfortunately, the pairing of young women with old men is still the norm in Hollywood, we need MORE women producers to make movies that can offer a bit of a balance...like let's say a Ryan Reynolds falling madly in love with Candice Bergen?

This is a typical 13 in a dozen romantic musical movie from the MGM studio's. It's not any better or worse than most other productions, which means that the genre fans will most likely enjoy this movie.

This is your typical enjoyable lighthearted romantic musical comedy from the MGM studio's, which means that the movie is mostly good looking, has some good musical moments but is predictable and formulaic to watch. Does it really matter all? There only are a handful of MGM musicals that have gained the classic status. About 80% of their musical productions are nothing more than simple lighthearted movies that are pleasant to watch but at the same time also extremely forgettable. These sort of movies are good to kill some time with, of course especially if you're a fan of the genre.

Granted that the love-story is not the most believable or compelling one. I don't know but having a 60 year old playboy prince falling for a 30 years younger blond beauty by todays standards feels more dirty than romantic. Guess in the '40's/'50's this was Hollywoods idea of a romantic story and every young girl dreamed of marrying an older, rich, playboy prince. Who knows. Yet the story still works out alright enough, which is thanks to the actors Lana Turner and Ezio Pinza, who also have some good chemistry together.

Further more the movie is filled with all of the formulaic genre ingredients and most things also don't really come as a surprise. The movie is not as musical filled as perhaps other MGM productions, which might disappoint certain people.

The movie is pretty good looking, with some nice sets, costumes and setting, although it's all obvious fake at times. It helps to give the movie a pretty good light feeling and atmosphere, which helps to make this movie a pleasant one to watch.

The movie features some good other actors such as Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Debbie Reynolds in an early role. Yet most of the other characters are underused in the story, which provide the movie with some missed opportunities. The movie overall as a whole has perhaps a tad bit more misses than hits in it, which does make the movie an uneven one to watch at times.

More of the same all but I'm not complaining about it and so most certainly wouldn't the genre fans. The movie deserves a better reputation, for sure.

6/10

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