The Merry Widow (1952 film)
| The Merry Widow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Curtis Bernhardt |
| Produced by | Joe Pasternak |
| Written by |
Franz Lehár (operetta) Victor Léon (libretto) Leo Stein (libretto) Sonya Levien William Ludwig |
| Starring |
Lana Turner Fernando Lamas |
| Music by | Jay Blackton (uncredited) |
| Cinematography | Robert Surtees |
| Edited by | Conrad A. Nervig |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release dates | September 5, 1952 |
Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,417,000[1] |
| Box office | $4,500,000[1][2] |
The Merry Widow is a 1952 film adaptation of the operetta of the same name by Franz Lehár. It starred Lana Turner (singing voice was dubbed by Trudy Erwin) and Fernando Lamas.
The film received two Academy Award nominations: for Best Art Direction - Set Decoration, Color (Cedric Gibbons, Paul Groesse, Edwin B. Willis, Arthur Krams) and Best Costume Design, Color.[3]
Synopsis
The young widow Crystal Radek is invited to Marshovia, a small European kingdom, to attend the unveiling of a statue in honour of her deceased husband. The royal coffers are seriously in need of her money so the king sends out count Danilo to seduce her.
Cast
- Lana Turner as Crystal Radek
- Fernando Lamas as Count Danilo
- Una Merkel as Kitty Riley. Merkel played Queen Dolores in the 1934 film version.
- Richard Haydn as Baron Popoff
- Thomas Gomez as the King of Marshovia
- John Abbott as the Marshovian ambassador
- Marcel Dalio as the police sergeant
Reception
According to MGM records the film made $2,232,000 in the US and Canada and $2,268,000 overseas resulting in a profit of $27,000.[1]