Rhapsody (1954)

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Fresh and Exciting

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

I fell upon this movie one morning on TCM while in an early morning stupor and was instantly awakened by the sight of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. Although I had never seen any of her 1950's or early 1960's roles, I quickly realized this woman was Elizabeth Taylor and was completely mesmerized. Previous reviews of this movie compared the story line to a soap opera and I certainly agree. Without Ms. Taylor drawing me in, I would have lost interest very quickly; However, I could not resist watching her every move and eventually found myself absorbed by the story line and very competent acting by all performers. The classical music was a tremendous plus for the film and made up for the stand-in sets to some degree. For me, this film was about beauty. Beautiful music surrounding a beautiful woman in all her glory. Classical music hand-in-hand with one of the classic women of the big screen. I would recommend this movie highly if for no other reason than to see the definition of the female sex symbol. Elizabeth Taylor, with her face, figure, class and charisma, is that definition. She makes the so called sex symbols of today (Jessica Simpson, Pamela Anderson, etc.) look like caricatures. What a revelation! Mediocre story, adequate acting, beautiful music, and an irresistibly stunning leading lady are the summations of this movie, in my humble opinion.

Rhapsody is all about beautiful music and beautiful Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor, in a short, stylish hairdo, is at the height of her beauty in this stunningly photographed color film. And she's not the only beauty. Vittorio Gassman plays one of her love interests. Just try keeping your eyes off of him. Handsome John Ericson is the other man in her life.All in all, it's candy for the eyes and ears, gorgeous to watch and to listen to with all that classical music. Elizabeth Taylor plays a role perfect for her, i.e., a spoiled, rich brat. She follows the man of her dreams, Gassman, a gifted violinist, to music school in Zurich, even though her own musical ability is pathetic and she'll have nothing to do except wait around for him to finish classes and rehearsals. When it's obvious that Gassman is totally immersed in his music, she begins to compete with the violin for his attention. All three leads are excellent, as is Louis Calhern as Taylor's father. Taylor wears beautiful outfits. I'm certain this film was intended to be a showcase for her beauty, and there it succeeds. Despite some harsh comments made on the board, I think this you just have to take it for what it was intended to be and no more. Very entertaining.

Although other reviewers of this movie may dwell on its doggish qualities, I confess I can't let it slide any time TCM shows it. Taylor, at her absolutely most sumptuously gorgeous loves a violin virtuoso while rehabilitating a pianist who has lost his way due to psychological implosion. The scenes when Taylor patiently encourages the musical rehabilitation are like junk food loaded with cancer causing initials...once you start you can't stop.As an interesting aside, the great Claudio Arrau plays the actual piano part. I have been told that in Mel's Dinner in LA, there is a picture of the maestro, in rakish youth, enjoying the splendors of his Hollywood moment.

"Rhapsody" is not the bad movie some of the comments to IMDb seem to indicate. While this was a film typical of the time when it was made, it offers some of the most glorious music ever heard in a Hollywood picture. The music takes center stage in the movie. As interpreted by Michael Rabin and Claudio Arrau, among others, Tchaikowsky, Liszt and Rachmaninoff were never given such loving tribute as in this film.Charles Vidor directed this adaptation of a novel that might have been well regarded, enough to be brought to the screen. Ruth and August Goetz are given credit for the screen play. The Goetzes wrote many plays, among them, "The Heiress". Fay and Michael Kanin also contributed to the adaptation.The story of Louise "Lulu" Durant, a spoiled rich girl, that defied her father into following what she thought was the love of her life, turns out to be a nightmare. Lulu was not prepared to play second fiddle, no pun intended, to anyone, let alone Paul Bronte, the talented, but egotistical violinist that is only in love with his career.The story, by the way, takes place in Zurich, and not Munich, as someone reported in another comment. Lulu, who has ambitions of becoming a pianist, promptly realizes she is a lousy player and heeds the advice of the wise professor Schuman, but she makes the mistake of staying around, getting bored because Paul has only time for his music and not for her.Enter James Guest, an American pianist. He falls in love with the beautiful Lulu, only to be rejected. When Paul becomes the toast of the music world, he breaks from Lulu, who in turn marries James on the rebound. Ultimately, Lulu realizes that James is the one that is real and the only one that cares for her and there's a happy ending when he makes a stunning debut playing Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto.Elizabeth Taylor, in all her beauty, is seen as the ravishing creature she was in those years. She made an impression as the spoiled "papa's girl" that she was. In this film, as well as all those Ms. Taylor made during those years, she projects such a loving presence that is hard to find fault with her acting. This actress showed such magnetism and charisma in her films, something perhaps no one else can match.Vittorio Gassman was perhaps Italy's best modern actor. He was trying to break into American movies. As Paul Bronte, he makes quite an impression. He was dashing and had the presence and good looks to play opposite his gorgeous costar.John Ericson shows he had potential to go far in the business. Unfortunately he never made it big in Hollywood. He was an accomplished actor who deserved better. Louis Calhern as Nicholas Durant, Lulu's father had only a few scenes in the movie, so it is puzzling for one to agree with another comment about how he carried the film on his shoulders. If it was, it remains a mystery to us. Mr. Calhern was a fine actor who show a natural elegance to every thing he did in the movies.Ms. Taylor is dressed by Helen Rose, one of the best in the business. Ms. Rose designs are an asset; anything that Elizabeth Taylor wore in the film enhanced her figure and gave the viewer an opportunity to see her as the film goddess was always was.