Mr. Imperium

1951 MusicDrama 87 minutes Directed by Don Hartman

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About Mr. Imperium

In an Italian hotel in 1939, a man calling himself Mr. Imperium stages a rescue to meet American singer Frederica Brown, then is revealed as Prince Alexis, a widowed heir with a small son. He calls her Fredda, leaves when his father falls ill, and prime minister Bernand tells her the prince has gone for good. Twelve years later Fredda Barlo is a film star, and producer Paul Hunter wants to marry her. In Palm Springs, Alexis takes the next room and they reconcile. Bernand returns to say Alexis's son is about to take the throne, and Alexis leaves her again.

Cast & crew

More about Mr. Imperium

Don Hartman directed and wrote the screenplay with Edwin H. Knopf, from Knopf's play. Knopf produced it. MGM shot it in Technicolor from late July to mid-September 1950, with added musical sequences in early January 1951. Wikipedia dates the release March 2, 1951. The AFI Catalog dates it September 21, 1951. The British title is You Belong to My Heart. PCA number 14833.

Themes

  • A prince under a false name
  • A note that is never delivered
  • A second goodbye
  • Prince Alexis
  • Fredda Barlo
  • Palm Springs
  • MGM
  • Ezio Pinza

Reviews

A. H. Weiler, in the New York Times, called it third-rate and wrote that the story was as pat, obvious, and dated as Prince Charming and Cinderella.

Look

George J. Folsey photographed the Technicolor picture, including the 1939 Italian hotel and the Palm Springs reunion.

Music

Bronisław Kaper wrote the score. "Andiamo" has music by Harold Arlen and a lyric by Dorothy Fields. Trudy Erwin sings for Lana Turner.

Preservation

The copyright was not renewed. The film has been in the public domain in the United States since 1979.

Notes

  • Lana Turner plays Fredda. Ezio Pinza plays Mr. Imperium. Marjorie Main is Mrs. Cabot. Barry Sullivan, Cedric Hardwicke, and Debbie Reynolds are in the cast.
  • Trudy Erwin dubbed Turner's singing.
  • Pinza's first dramatic film role. His other MGM picture, Strictly Dishonorable, reached theaters first.
  • AFI notes that some studio-set roles were cut from the released film.
  • Songwriters credited include Harold Arlen and Dorothy Fields for "Andiamo," and Agustín Lara and Ray Gilbert.
  • MGM did not renew the copyright. The film entered the public domain in the United States in 1979.

Scenes

  • The rescue in the Italian hotel is a setup so the prince can meet Fredda.
  • Bernand tells her the prince has left for good.
  • In Palm Springs, Bernand returns and Alexis leaves for his son's coronation.

Influenced by

  • Mr. Imperium, a play by Edwin H. Knopf

Also available

  • Internet Archive (Mr.Imperium)