Interrupted Melody

In 1947 it was reported that Marjorie Lawrence was writing her memoirs, titled Interrupted Melody, and that she wanted Greer Garson to play her in a film.[4] The book was published in 1950. The Chicago Tribune called it "engrossing".[5]

In June 1951, MGM, which had just had a huge success with The Great Caruso, another biopic of an opera star, announced that it had bought the screen rights to the book. Jack Cummings was going to produce, and Kathryn Grayson was a possible star.[6] Other possible stars were Greer Garson and Deborah Kerr, who would use Lawrence's voice.[7] Lawrence flew to Hollywood in July to have discussions with Cummings and Sonya Levien, who was to do the script.[8] In December, MGM announced Lana Turner would play the lead with filming to begin in February.[9] However filming did not proceed. In July 1952, MGM said Garson would be playing the lead and William Ludwig was working on the script.[10] By February 1953 the studio had postponed production again.[11] In December 1953, the film was put back on MGM's schedule with Garson still attached.[12]

On April 7, 1954, The New York Times announced that Eleanor Parker would play the part because all the other candidates, with the exception of Lana Turner, had left MGM. The article reported that Lawrence had recorded the songs for the film.[13] Filming started in September 1954. According to Parker, the filmmakers could not use Marjorie Lawrence's voice, because she had lost her upper register. Parker could read music and had a firm soprano voice with perfect pitch. She prepared for the singing aspect of her role by listening to the numbers for weeks, and she sang them during the filming in full voice instead of lip-synching.[14] The singing was dubbed by Eileen Farrell, who appears on screen early in the film, as a student struggling to hit a high note in a scene with the singing teacher Mme. Gilly (Ann Codee) .[15]

Glenn Ford would only appear in the film if he got top billing. Parker says: "I wanted to do what was right for the picture, so I said: 'Let him have the top billing.' Glenn was a kind of a difficult man, but he was right for the picture and a very fine actor."[15]

A key supporting role was given to Roger Moore, who had just made The Last Time I Saw Paris for MGM and had been put under contract to the studio.[16]

Filming had finished by November 1954.[17] The film was previewed in January 1955.[18]

In February 1955, The New York Times published a photo spread showing scenes from the film.[19]