Mr. Imperium

Director: Don Hartman Don Hartman

Overview

Ezio Pinza stars as the title character, a prince who falls for nightclub singer Fredda Barlo (Lana Turner) when the two meet on vacation in Italy. After more than a decade, they reunite, only now Barlo is a Hollywood superstar and Imperium has ascended to the throne of king.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/12/2015
UPC:	0889290097620
Original Release:	1951
Source:	Films Around World
Language:	English
Time:	1:27:00
Sales rank:	58,278

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ezio Pinza	Mr. Imperium
Lana Turner	Fredda Barlo
Marjorie Main	Mrs. Cabot
Barry Sullivan	Paul Hunter
Cedric Hardwicke	Prime Minister Bernand
Keenan Wynn	Motor Cop
Debbie Reynolds	Gwen
Ann Codee	Anna Pelan
Wilton Graff	Andrew Bolton
Giacomo Spadoni	Giovanni
Chick Chandler	George Hoskins
Joseph Vitale	Bearded Man
Don Haggerty	Director
Jimmy Cross	Assistant Director
Tony Marlo	Lackey
Cliff Clark	Restaurant Proprietor,Secretary
Matt Moore	Gateman
Mitchell Lewis	Old Watchman
Arthur Walsh	Specialties in Band
Allan Ray	Specialties in Band
Wilson Wood	Specialties in Band
Bobby Troup	Specialties in Band
Richard Simmons	Air Corps Colonel,Air Force Colonel
Manuel París	Sidewalk Cafe Patron
Cosmo Sardo	Passerby Outside Theatre
Muni Seroff	Maitre d'
Bronislau Kaper	Composer
Harold Arlen	Composer

Technical Credits

Don Hartman

Edwin H. Knopf

Don Hartman	Director,Screenwriter
Edwin H. Knopf	Screenwriter,Producer
Douglas Shearer	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

Mr. Imperium is a yummy little romantic musical. Is it a flawless classic? By no means. But Imperium has something that many much better films often lack -- genuine charm. Thank the handsome Ezio Pinza and the luscious Lana Turner for this. Neither Pinza nor Turner is giving what could be called a great acting performance in Imperium, although they are much more than satisfactory in this area. But their star personalities and delicious chemistry count for much more than acting prowess, especially given a screenplay that doesn't require a Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep. The two stars are wonderful company, and viewers are likely to forgive Imperium a lot merely for the chance to pass an hour and half or so with them. Certainly, the material requires some forgiving, for certain situations have been presented to the audience many times before, and it has to be said that a character here and there is a bit more cardboard than flesh-and-blood. In addition to the stars, there is fine support from Barry Sullivan in a thankless role, Sir Cedric Hardwicke in a wicked one, Debbie Reynolds in prime teenaged condition, and especially Marjorie Main in one of her very rare non-hick roles. Throw in some gorgeous on-location lensing, a few nifty musical numbers from Harold Arlen and Dorothy Fields, and some nifty costumes from Walter Plunkett, and the result is an enjoyable way to kill some time.