Sylvia Sidney makes a very convincing and sincere interpretation of the tragic young geisha, 15 years, who ends up in a sudden marriage with an American naval officer, Cary Grant, very young and dashing, the most good-looking Pinkerton I have seen, who doesn't understand the Japanese mentality and codes at all and behaves like a swine, in reality trampling her down in the drain after having given her a son. In the opera he realises his shame and returns to Butterfly but too late. He doesn't in the film. Russian Marion Gering makes as sincere a film version as possible of the embarrassing tragedy and pastes it together with most of Puccini's music, which gilds the entire film from beginning to end. Only Puccini could save Madame Butterfly. There are some great scenes with Cho-Cho-San's Japanese family, the grandfather makes an impression, and the environment is well composed. There is even an American scene included. It's a remarkable film for 1932, and Marion Gering's work is no patchwork but honestly sincere. David Belasco, who wrote the original play, ought to have been satisfied, while of course we recommend Puccini's full opera.
Review of Madame Butterfly
Madame Butterfly
(1932)
"There is no other room in my heart but for Madame Butterfly."
9 October 2023