Love Is A Many Splendored Thing is a 1955 romantic drama starring
William Holden and Jennifer Jones and was based on the novel,
"A Many-Splendored Thing" by Chinese-Flemish writer Han Suyin.
Image courtesy/Biblio.com
In 1949, widowed Han Suyin (her husband was killed during China's
Communist Revolution) went to Hong Kong to practice medicine at
Queen Mary Hospital. There she met and fell in love with Ian Morrison,
a married Australian war correspondent based in Singapore. He was
killed in Korea in 1950. Suyin recounted their brief romance in
her novel. Later, in her autobiography, "My House Has Two Doors"
(1980) Suyin provided a more detailed account of their relationship.
The Hollywood Version
Widowed Han Suyin (Jennifer Jones) meets and falls for an American news reporter,
Mark Elliot ( William Holden) who is a married man but separated from his wife.
Mark is on assignment in Hong Kong during China's Communist Revolution in 1949.
Although they find happiness together, Han Suyin, already singled out for
her mixed Chinese-European heritage, is further ostracized by her Chinese
family as well as the local community for her deepening relationship with Mark.
She eventually loses her right to practice medicine at a local hospital.
With her adopted daughter in tow, Han Suyin goes to stay with a friend
while Mark is on assignment covering the Korean War. They stay in
touch through constant letters to each other, but one day, Han receives the
tragic news that Mark has been killed. In her sorrow, she rushes to the
hilltop which had been their favorite meeting place, to mourn his death.
Although interracial romance and adultery were considered highly
controversial topics for a major motion picture at the time of its release,
"Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" left us with one of the most
beautiful Academy Award-winning movie theme songs of all time.
I especially love the version of this song by The Three Aces.
One member of this popular 1950's singing trio was Al Alberts.
Born Al Albertini in Chester, Pennsylvania, he was later the
host of "Al Albert's Showcase" a popular Saturday afternoon
talent show which aired locally for many years from Philadelphia.
Courtesy/ The 45Prof
No comments:
Post a Comment