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Source: Australian Screen
form y separately published work icon The Broken Melody single work   film/TV  
Alternative title: The Vagabond Violinist
Adaptation of The Broken Melody Frederick J. Thwaites , 1930 single work novel
Issue Details: First known date: 1938... 1938 The Broken Melody
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Loosely based on the novel by Australian author F. J. Thwaites, The Broken Melody concerns John Ainsworth, a talented violinist and university teacher whose life and career begin to spiral out of control in the aftermath of a nightclub brawl. He eventually becomes penniless, and without any prospect of employment is forced to drift about Sydney as a vagabond. After he prevents an equally impoverished girl, Ann, from attempting suicide, she encourages him to begin playing his violin again. He then progresses from busking on street corners to playing in a cabaret club, where he eventually comes to the attention of a French entrepreneur. Ainsworth is sent to England where he finds success and fame as a conductor and composer. He later returns to Australia in order to tour his own opera. One night, the company's fiery soprano refuses to sing and her understudy is rushed on stage. It is Ann, whom John instantly recognises, and thus the pair are happily reunited.

Although the film is essentially a 'high drama,' Ken G. Hall infused the narrative with occasional light comic touches, in addition to moments of deliberate sentimentality (including [for example] a death-bed reunion between John and his dying father). Much of the comedic moments fell to veteran variety artist Alec Kellaway who played Joe, a genial pickpocket.

Notes

  • According to Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper (Australian Film 1900-1977, A Guide to Feature Film Production, the film was so freely adapted from Thwaites' novel that it can be regarded as an original work (p. 236 ).
  • The Broken Melody was released in Australia in June 1938 with a well orchestrated advertising campaign, and subsequently did very well commercially. Later that year it was released in England through the RKO organisation, as The Vagabond Violinist, so as to not confuse the film with a 1934 British crime film called The Broken Melody.
  • The British trade journal, Today's Cinema, 29 March 1938, considered 'one of the most promising things [to] come out of Australia in the film line so far' (qtd Celluloid Heroes, [1930-1939], p.42).
  • With large portions of the film set within various sections of the music and entertainment industry, there is naturally a significant amount of music incorporated within the narrative. Horace Keats composed much of the incidental music for the film, but Ken G. Hall called upon acclaimed Australian composer, Alfred Hill, to contribute music for the operetta scenes, one of the more notable being when Diana Du Cane descends a long stairway singing an aria. The film's violin theme was also composed by Hill. Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper call attention to Hill's contribution in Australian Film 1900-1977 when they note, 'the long operetta sequence, especially composed for the film… was applauded' (p.236).
  • Further reference:

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

The Polysemous Coathanger : The Sydney Harbour Bridge in Feature Film, 1930-1982 Lennart Jacobsen , 2006 single work criticism
— Appears in: Senses of Cinema , July - September no. 40 2006;
'The cinema has long been attracted to photographing great cultural icons. This article provides a thorough account of the celluloid life of one of Australia's most distinctive landmarks.' (Publisher's abstract)
The Virgins and Vamps Found Life Rolled On after the Final Take Meg Stewart , 1985 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 7 July 1985; (p. 42S-44S, 46S)
The Broken Melody 1938 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 June no. 31346 1938; (p. 5)

— Review of The Broken Melody Frank Harvey , 1938 single work film/TV
'The Broken Melody' at the Embassy 1938 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16 June no. 31343 1938; (p. 27)

— Review of The Broken Melody Frank Harvey , 1938 single work film/TV
'The Broken Melody' at the Embassy 1938 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16 June no. 31343 1938; (p. 27)

— Review of The Broken Melody Frank Harvey , 1938 single work film/TV
The Broken Melody 1938 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 June no. 31346 1938; (p. 5)

— Review of The Broken Melody Frank Harvey , 1938 single work film/TV
The Polysemous Coathanger : The Sydney Harbour Bridge in Feature Film, 1930-1982 Lennart Jacobsen , 2006 single work criticism
— Appears in: Senses of Cinema , July - September no. 40 2006;
'The cinema has long been attracted to photographing great cultural icons. This article provides a thorough account of the celluloid life of one of Australia's most distinctive landmarks.' (Publisher's abstract)
The Virgins and Vamps Found Life Rolled On after the Final Take Meg Stewart , 1985 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 7 July 1985; (p. 42S-44S, 46S)
Last amended 30 Sep 2014 15:15:03
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