The Eddy Duchin Story (1956)

Synopsis:

The real-life story of celebrated band-leader and pianist Eddy Duchin (Tyrone Power, Witness for the Prosecution), whose career was cut short by cancer.

Reaction & Thoughts:

“It’s strange how unreal the real can be”

Although it’s full of grating anachronisms and historical inaccuracies, The Eddy Duchin Story is an enjoyable and affecting three-handkerchief biopic with astounding performances, and, of course, extraordinary music.

It’s obvious from the start that writer Samuel A. Taylor (Sabrina Fair) and director George Sidney (Anchors Aweigh) had no intention of sticking to the facts. Evidently, they were more interested in creating dramatic tension than in recreating real-life events. What matters most here is the work of the actors, and the cast is terrific.

Tyron Power does a good job as the famous musician, despite the fact that he is way too old for the role. If you do the math, the 40-ish Power is supposed to be in his teens and twenties for at least half of the movie. While I admit that he works very hard to convey the enthusiasm and wide-eyed attitude of a naive young man, I still think Power is much better during the second half when he doesn’t have to act young.

That said, Kim Novak walks away with the movie. She plays Duchin’s first wife, socialite Marjorie Oelrichs. Novak is luminous, and the movie never fully recovers from her abrupt exist — she disappears before the end of the first half. The scenes between Novak and Power are very romantic, and she has a truly heart-wrenching last scene. It doesn’t hurt that she looks absolutely stunning in CinemaScope (Technicolor).

And while we’re on the subject of CinemaScope, I want to empathize the fact that the movie does look great. Photographed by Harry Stradling, whose credits include My Fair Lady (1964) and Funny Girl (1968), the film looks as it was shot through a silk hankie. In fact, every aspect of the production is plain gorgeous, including famed fashionista Jean Louis’s (Born Yesterday and Ship of Fools) elegant costumes.

Conclusions & Final Thoughts:

Despite its disregard for historical accuracy, The Eddy Duchin Story is poignant and entertaining, and director George Sidney’s sure hand keeps the story from ever becoming a schmaltzy mess. In addition, stars Tyron Power and Kim Novak are a great romantic pair. Duchin’s fabulous music — performed by renowned American pianist Carmen Cavallaro — is the cherry on top. Color, 121 minutes, Not Rated.

This is my contribution to The Kim Novak Blogathon, hosted by The Classic Muse.

Theatrical Trailer: