Song Without End (1960)

The story follows the career and loves of Franz Liszt (Dirk Bogarde) as he struggles with his passion for performing while avoiding his composing talents as he also contends with his current mistress (Genevieve Page) and his new love (Capucine). Directed by Charles Vidor, who had previously directed the Chopin biopic A SONG TO REMEMBER, the film plays out like a soap opera padded out with scenes of Bogarde as Lizst pounding away on the piano and the usual name dropping as Wagner, Chopin and George Sand all pop up briefly. It's hard to gauge how much was intentional but Bogarde's Lizst comes across as a temperamental, self indulgent, arrogant and selfish spoiled brat which makes him all the harder to embrace. Vidor died before filming was completed and the direction was taken over by George Cukor and it's impossible to tell where Vidor ends and Cukor begins. Capucine, in her first major screen role, seems awkward but looks lovely in her Jean Louis gowns. Page as the woman who abandoned her husband to bear Liszt's children is the most interesting character in the film, one feels her anguish and anger. Morris Stoloff and Harry Sukman are responsible for adapting Lizst's music (including using it an underscore) and the great James Wong Howe is responsible for the opulent cinematography. With Patricia Morison, Martita Hunt, Ivan Desny, Marcel Dalio, Lou Jacobi, Alexander Davion, Katherine Squire and Abraham Sofaer.