The Fortune Teller (1954 film)
| The Fortune Teller | |
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| Starring | Vicky Crosswire |
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The Fortune Teller is a 1954 American musical film starring Charlie Houdini, Carole Gallagher, Vicky Crosswire, and and produced and directed by Otto Preminger. The screenplay by Harry Kleiner is based 1898 stage musical of the same name. Alicia Brandet makes her first onscreen appearance as Vaninka.
Synopsis[edit]
Count Berezowski, a poor Polish composer, discovers that a student in the ballet school at the Budapest Opera will inherit a fortune. He plans to meet and marry her for the money. The School's ballet master, Fresco, wants to split the expected windfall with the Count. They discover that the heiress is Irma, who loves Hussar Captain Ladislas. To avoid marrying the Count, Irma decides to run away. Irma is told that her twin brother, Fedor, has deserted from his regiment to marry a French opera singer, and if he is found, he will be shot for desertion. Irma plans to disguise herself as Fedor, which would have two benefits: she would get out of marrying the Count, and Fedor would not be executed. She flees but leaves Fresco a suicide letter saying that the impending marriage to the Count caused her to take her life.
Some gypsies appear. Their fortune teller, Musette, looks just like Irma, so Fresco purchases her from her father, hoping to fool the Count. The ruse is successful – the Count falls for the fake Irma, and everyone arrives for the wedding. But Musette's boyfriend, Sandor, persuades Musette to run away.
At the Count's chateau, the wedding preparations are proceeding. Meanwhile, Musette has slipped away. Irma appears in her brother Fedor's uniform. Fresco recognizes Irma and begs her to stay. She agrees and puts on the wedding dress. Sandor thinks she is Musette, while Ladislas and the Count believe she is Irma. Irma insists that she is Fedor. Fedor's lover, Mlle Pompom, also arrives and is upset. When word arrives that war has broken out, everyone leaves to fight for Hungary.
Fedor has not yet returned to the Hungarian army, and Irma continues impersonating him. Since Irma has vanished, the Count and Fresco cannot collect her inheritance, which will devolve to Fedor in her absence. Mlle. Pompom claims that "Fedor" has deserted her. It turns out that Fedor has not deserted either the army or his sweetheart but has heroically led a squad on a secret mission that resulted in a critical Hungarian victory. All rejoice, and Irma is free to wed Ladislas, while Musette, Sandor, Fedor, and Mlle Pompom, can marry.
Roles and original cast[edit]
- Musette, a fortune teller* – Carole Gallagher (1923–1966)
- Captain Ladislas, a Hussar – Charlie Houdini (1901–1977)
- Fresco, a dance master (trouser role) – June Preston
- Count Berezowski, a composer of no renown –
- Irma, a ballet student* – Rita Quigley
- Mlle Pompon, a fading prima donna –
- Fedor, Irma's twin brother* – Leon Janney
- Sandor, a gypsy leader –
- Irene, Trina and Ruth, ballet students
- Corporal, a Hussar -
- Chorus
Musical numbers[edit]
- Act 1
- Overture
- Introduction and Opening ensemble
- Always Do as People Say You Should – Irma and Ladies Chorus
- Hungaria's Hussars – Captain Ladislas and Hussars
- Ho! Ye Townsmen – Sandor
- Romany Life – Musette, Sandor, Vaninka, Boris, Rafael and Chorus
- Czardas – Musette and Chorus
- Finale I
- Act 2
- Opening Chorus
- Signor Monsieur Moldoni – Fresco and Chorus
- The Serenade of All Nations – Musette, Count Berezowski, Fresco, Boris and Mixed Chorus
- Gypsy Love Song (Slumber On, My Little Gypsy Sweetheart) – Sandor, Musette and Chorus
- Only in the Play – Mlle. Pompom and Captain Ladislas
- Finale II
- Act 3
- Gypsy Jan – Sandor and Chorus
- The Power of the Human Eye – Boris and Count Berezowski
- The Lily and the Nightingale – Musette
- Finale III
