SYNOPSIS

Mr. Imperium (1951) is an American Technicolor musical romance directed by Don Hartman and written by Edwin H. Knopf and Don Hartman, based on Knopf's unpublished play. The film stars Lana Turner as Fredda Barlo, Ezio Pinza as Mr. Imperium, Marjorie Main as Mrs. Cabot, Barry Sullivan as Paul Hunter, Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Bernand, Debbie Reynolds as Gwen, and Ann Codee as Anna Pelan. Produced by Edwin H. Knopf for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the film marked the Hollywood screen debut of internationally celebrated operatic bass Ezio Pinza.

The story begins in 1939, when American singer Fredda Brown meets a mysterious European aristocrat calling himself Mr. Imperium while vacationing in Italy. She soon discovers that he is actually Prince Alexis, heir to a European throne. The two fall deeply in love, but their relationship is interrupted when Alexis is summoned home because his father is gravely ill. Twelve years later, Fredda has become a successful Hollywood actress, while Alexis has become a king and subsequently been forced into exile. Their unexpected reunion gives them an opportunity to reconsider the romance that ended years earlier.

The film combines romantic drama with musical numbers, glamorous European settings, Hollywood studio life, and the contrasting worlds of celebrity and royalty. George J. Folsey's Technicolor cinematography provides the polished MGM visual style, while Bronislau Kaper supplied the background score and Harold Arlen and Dorothy Fields wrote the original songs. Turner was dubbed by Trudy Erwin for her singing numbers, while Pinza performed his own songs. Though the film received unfavorable reviews and performed poorly commercially, it remains notable for Pinza's transition from opera and Broadway to Hollywood and for its young supporting performance by Debbie Reynolds.

PLOT (Spoiler Alert)

In 1939, American singer Frederica "Fredda" Brown is staying at an Italian resort when a distinguished stranger intervenes in what appears to be an encounter with an overzealous admirer. Fredda soon discovers that the man has deliberately engineered their meeting. Calling himself Mr. Imperium, he initially conceals his identity, but she eventually learns that he is actually Prince Alexis, heir to a European throne. Despite his reputation as a womanizer, Alexis sincerely falls in love with Fredda. They spend time together sailing, riding, and exploring the countryside, and Fredda gives him the nickname "Al." Alexis eventually reveals that he is a widower with a young son and hopes to give the boy a more ordinary life than his own.

Their romance is interrupted when Alexis receives a telegram informing him that his father is critically ill. He must immediately return home to assume his responsibilities as heir. His prime minister, Bernand, goes to Fredda with a message from Alexis but deliberately leaves her with the impression that the prince has abandoned her as he has abandoned other women. Fredda is heartbroken and returns to America. Twelve years pass. She has become the successful Hollywood actress Fredda Barlo, while Alexis has succeeded his father as king but has subsequently been driven into exile. When Alexis sees a theater advertisement for one of Fredda's films in Paris, he seeks her out. Their reunion rekindles their old affection, and Fredda travels to Palm Springs, where Alexis is staying.

At the Palm Springs hotel operated by Mrs. Cabot, Fredda and Alexis resume their romance. Fredda's producer and admirer, Paul Hunter, is also interested in marrying her, but she remains emotionally attached to Alexis. Bernand arrives and reminds Alexis that his political responsibilities require him to return to his country, where his restoration to the throne depends upon his participation in an upcoming political process. Alexis is torn between his love for Fredda and his duty to his people. Ultimately, he chooses to return to his country rather than abandon his responsibilities. Fredda accepts his decision, and the two separate once again. Paul remains available to Fredda, but the ending emphasizes that her relationship with Alexis has changed her life permanently. Alexis leaves with the promise that he will see her again, giving the romance a bittersweet rather than conventional happy ending.

PRODUCTION

Mr. Imperium was produced by Edwin H. Knopf for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Don Hartman, who co-wrote the screenplay with Knopf. The screenplay was based on Knopf's previously unpublished play of the same name. Principal photography took place from late July through mid-September 1950, with additional musical-sequence work completed in early January 1951. The production used MGM's established studio facilities and was designed as a lavish Technicolor musical romance.

George J. Folsey served as director of photography, with Cedric Gibbons and Paul Groesse as art directors and Edwin B. Willis as set decorator. Walter Plunkett designed the costumes, while George White and William B. Gulick edited the film. Johnny Green served as musical director and Bronislau Kaper composed the background score. The original songs included "Andiamo," "Let Me Look at You," and "My Love and My Mule," with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Turner's singing was dubbed by Trudy Erwin.

RELEASE

Mr. Imperium was first released in the United States on March 2, 1951, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer handling distribution. The film was subsequently reissued later in the year after MGM temporarily withdrew it from circulation. In the United Kingdom it was released under the alternate title You Belong to My Heart. The film has a running time of approximately 87 minutes and was photographed in Technicolor using the Western Electric sound system.

The film received largely negative critical reviews, with reviewers generally finding the romantic story conventional despite the performances, Technicolor photography, and Pinza's singing. MGM's decision to delay and re-release the picture reflected its disappointing initial reception. The film was a commercial failure, with reported losses of approximately $1.4 million against a production cost of approximately $1.53 million. MGM subsequently ended its association with Pinza after his brief Hollywood career. In the United States, the film entered the public domain in 1979 after its copyright was not renewed.

CAST

Lana Turner as Fredda Barlo

Ezio Pinza as Mr. Imperium

Marjorie Main as Mrs. Cabot

Barry Sullivan as Paul Hunter

Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Bernand

CREW

Director: Don Hartman

Producer: Edwin H. Knopf

Writers: Edwin H. Knopf, Don Hartman

Based on: Mr. Imperium, an unpublished play by Edwin H. Knopf

Cinematographer: George J. Folsey

Editors: George White, William B. Gulick

Music Director: Johnny Green

Composer: Bronislau Kaper

Songwriters: Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields

Art Directors: Cedric Gibbons, Paul Groesse

Set Decorators: Edwin B. Willis, Richard Pefferle

Costume Designer: Walter Plunkett

Sound: Douglas Shearer

Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Distributor: Loew's, Inc.

Release Date: March 2, 1951 (U.S.)

Country of Origin: United States

Running Time: 87 minutes

Budget: Approximately $1,530,000

Box Office Return: Approximately $755,000

IMDb Rating

IMDb Rating = 5.0 / 10

TRIVIA

• Mr. Imperium was based on an unproduced play by Edwin H. Knopf, who also co-wrote the screenplay.

• The film marked the Hollywood screen debut of Ezio Pinza, the celebrated Italian operatic bass.

• Before coming to Hollywood, Pinza had been one of the leading performers at the Metropolitan Opera, where he performed for more than two decades.

• Pinza had also become a major Broadway star through South Pacific, in which he originated the role of Emile de Becque.

• Lana Turner's singing voice was dubbed by Trudy Erwin, who provided the vocals for Turner's musical numbers.

• Pinza performed his own singing in the film, drawing upon his extensive operatic and theatrical experience.

• The film was originally scheduled to be released before Pinza's second MGM picture, Strictly Dishonorable, but MGM ultimately released Strictly Dishonorable first.

• MGM temporarily withdrew Mr. Imperium from distribution after its initial poor reception and reissued it later in 1951.

• Debbie Reynolds appears in a supporting role as Gwen, only a few years before she became one of MGM's leading musical stars.

• The film was released in Britain under the alternate title You Belong to My Heart.

• The song "You Belong to My Heart", despite being associated with the film in some international markets, was not one of the newly written songs listed in the film's official MGM song credits; the original songs included "Andiamo," "Let Me Look at You," and "My Love and My Mule."

• The film was photographed entirely in Technicolor, continuing MGM's tradition of using color photography for its major musical productions.

• Mr. Imperium entered the U.S. public domain in 1979 because MGM did not renew its copyright registration within the required period.

• The film is one of the few MGM productions in which an internationally renowned opera star and an established Hollywood leading lady were paired as romantic leads.