Moonlight Sonata ** (1937, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Charles Farrell, Marie Tempest, Barbara Greene, Eric Portman) – Classic Movie Review 10,583

‘PADEREWSKI in his only screen appearance’

When plane-crash survivors gather together in the home of a Swedish noblewoman, the Baroness Lindenborg (Marie Tempest), they are serenaded by famous classical pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski (as himself), whose playing influences their lives. ‘Moonlight Sonata’ strengthens the bond between two young lovers, just as it once brought the girl’s parents together.

Eric Portman stars in producer-director Lothar Mendes’s sentimental 1937 black and white romantic drama Moonlight Sonata as Mario de la Costa, Marie Tempest as the Baroness Lindenborg, Charles Farrell as Eric Mollander and Barbara Greene as Ingrid Hansen.

This oddly unpersuasive film, with stilted handling and stuffy performances, is lifted by the beautiful classical piano works including Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’, marvellously played by Paderewski at his Steinway & Sons grand. It is worth seeing for the music, for Marie Tempest and for the stylish sets designed by Laurence Irving (the grandson of the great actor Sir Henry Irving).

Also in the cast are Binkie Stuart, W Graham Browne, Queenie Leonard, Lawrence Hanray [as Laurence Hanray], Bryan Powley, Sybil Brooks, H G Stoker and J Fisher White.

It is also known as The Charmer.

He is billed as Ignace Jan Paderewski.

Moonlight Sonata [The Charmer] is directed by Lothar Mendes, runs 90 minutes, is made by Pall Mall Productions, is released by United Artists, is written by Edward Knoblock (screenplay) and E M Delafield (additional dialogue), based on a story by Hans Rameau, is shot in black and white by Jan Stallich, is produced by Lothar Mendes and is designed by Laurence Irving (settings).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 10,583

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