A huge hit in the 1940's, (it was one of the few British films of its period to cross-over to the American market where it won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay). It has everything; classical music, cod psychology and a cad of a hero-cum-villain, (James Mason, marvelous), who treats the heroine abominably and who get to utter the immortal line, 'If you won't play for me, you won't play for anyone else ever again' before attempting to slam the piano-lid on her hands.
It's actually quite high-minded tosh and as the girl on the receiving end of Mr Mason's cane, (he's lame with it), Ann Todd hasn't just got alabaster hands but an alabaster face as well. (It's as expressionless as Garbo's to whom she bears a striking resemblance). It's a terrible performance but it's no more than the film deserves. Still, in its trashy, silly way it's hugely enjoyable.
It's actually quite high-minded tosh and as the girl on the receiving end of Mr Mason's cane, (he's lame with it), Ann Todd hasn't just got alabaster hands but an alabaster face as well. (It's as expressionless as Garbo's to whom she bears a striking resemblance). It's a terrible performance but it's no more than the film deserves. Still, in its trashy, silly way it's hugely enjoyable.