MR IMPERIUM (YOU BELONG TO MY HEART)
US, 1951, 87 minutes, Colour.
Lana Turner, Ezio Pinza, Marjorie Main, Barry Sullivan, Cedric Hardwicke, Debbie Reynolds.
Directed by Don Hartman.
Mr Imperium is an odd film, a very light confection, romance style of the 1950s. It was co-written by director Don Hartman from a play by Edwin H. Knopf. Hartman had received two Oscar nominations for writing for Road to Morocco and The Gay Deception.
The film is very brief, possibly because of editorial cutting. Some of the characters are barely developed.
The first half-hour takes place over one evening where a prince, played by Ezio Pinza (who appeared in Strictly Dishonourable and Tonight We Sing as well as making the role of Paul in South Pacific his own, winning a Tony, on Broadway). He is infatuated by a singer, played by a dubbed Lana Turner. They fall in love, he with a rather romantic patter and a setup to attract her attention while he defended her. However, the politician from his European country arrives (Cedric Hardwicke) and terminates the romance, the prince having to return home.
However, twelve years later he arrives in Palm Springs. Lana Turner is a star actress by this stage, mentored by a producer (Barry Sullivan). She goes to Palm Springs to meet the prince, staying in a house run by Marjorie Main (in a lighter Ma Kettle vein) and her niece, played by a sprightly Debbie Reynolds.
There is a reconciliation. The politician arrives again – but, admiring the actress, is much more conciliatory. However, a rather downbeat ending for romantics, the prince goes back to his own country.
1. A light confection? MGM romance of the 1950s?
2. The Italian locations for the opening, the bay, the restaurant, apartments? The contrast with Hollywood and the studios? Palm Springs?
3. The cast, their skills in their own domains – but brought together here in a confection?
4. The title, the alias of the prince? The alternate title and the reference to the song? Ezio Pinza singing? Lana Turner’s dubbed singing, the cowboy song, You Belong to My Heart, romantic themes?
5. The opening, the establishing of the character of the prince, his country, in Italy? His infatuation with Fredda? Her song, her character, not falling for the prince? The setup of the attack on her, the prince’s defence – and her seeing through it later? His turning up on the balcony? Their falling in love, outings together? The possibility of marriage?
6. The arrival of the politician, his intervention, the pressure on the prince? His attitude towards Fredda? His return home?
7. Twelve years passing, Fredda and her success in Hollywood, performances, her relationship with her producer (Barry Sullivan). Her going to Palm Springs?
8. Palm Springs, Mrs Cabot and her jovial style and patter? Gwen and her being sprightly? Observing the relationship? Mrs Cabot and her questions? Falling for the romance?
9. The prince meeting Fredda? The reconciliation? The romance, out together? The songs?
10. The intervention of the politician? The prince and his sense of duty? The return? The respect for Fredda?
11. Fredda with Paul, waving goodbye to the prince? The film in its time? Later?
