Interrupted Melody (1955)

This was an interesting film.
It tells the story of Marjorie Lawrence (Eleanor Parker) and her rise to fame only to have it destroyed by polio. Yes, just like FDR, she was afflicted by polio as an adult.
Marjorie's story begins in Australia though Parker doesn't attempt any sort of accent where she is a poor farm girl who wins a singing competition which takes her to France. Here she is accepted as a student of Madame Gilly (Ann Codee) who gives Marjorie her big break, a job in the opera after Marjorie's father passes away. Marjorie wonders how she will ever thank her and Gilly mutters back the great line, "You never will so let's move on and get to work."
Marjorie becomes a big star but nearly gives everything up and marries doctor Thomas King (Glenn Ford). He doesn't want to marry her because he is just starting out and she is a big star. But she goes on tour anyway so she can still sing in New York, where he is based. However, here she is struck by polio and becomes severely depressed. She tries to kill herself twice, by refusing to crawl out of the ocean and then almost takes sleeping pills but her devoted husband stops her both times.
She ultimately returns to singing, first for the troops and then at the Met. Her comeback is complete.
For the most part, this was a good film, though I have problems with the relationship but this was filmed in the 1950s so that is almost certainly why. King and Lawrence did have a mostly respectful relationship though some of what he does is mean and borderline abusive but he is also calling her bluff, like when he forces to her crawl on the floor so she can turn off the music. But he is so terribly proud of her when she makes her amazing comeback.
The film, however, ends as she gets her curtain call at the Met, signalling her miraculous return without ever telling us anything more. That is my main problem, that and Parker's lack of accent. Parker's performance is magnificent as her voice is spectacular and she plays the role with strength and sympathy, when appropriate. She is certainly an under appreciated actress of the 1950s, earning three Oscar nominations in that decade, including one for this film and it is not undeserved. There is no reason why she shares top billing with Ford as she is the clear star, far and above his workmanlike performance. Parker barely looks anything like the Baroness from 1965's The Sound of Music, her most famous film, which is a poor use of her talents shown here.
Nevertheless, the film is great, anchored by Parker's brilliant performance, complete with the countless make-up and costumes changes, done nicely. This is a film that you should check out, if you can find it. Grade: B+