Interlude (1957 film)


Interlude is a 1957 American CinemaScope drama romance film directed by Douglas Sirk and starring June Allyson and Rossano Brazzi. The film is a reworking of When Tomorrow Comes, a 1939 picture starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. Both films were based on a novel by James M. Cain. Sirk himself cited Serenade as the title of that book, but in March 2014, in a long article for Senses of Cinema in which he discussed all three works, critic Tom Ryan revealed that both pictures are based on Cain's

Plot

Helen Banning, an American, moves to Munich, Germany to begin a new job with a cultural agency. She meets a handsome doctor, Morley Dwyer, but lets him know she is reluctant to begin any new relationships.
New boss Prue Stubbins introduces her to symphony conductor Tonio "Tony" Fischer, then, concerned about the upcoming performance, asks Helen to follow him when he abruptly leaves the concert hall. At the estate of a countess, Irena Reinhart, she finds Tony playing piano for a woman, Reni, unaware it is his wife.
Tony is distraught because Reni is mentally ill, given no chance to improve. He becomes attracted to the American woman and invites her to accompany him to Salzburg, Austria for a day, which leads to a few intimate hours together. She is later furious after discovering he is a married man.
Morley, aware that Helen has had an affair, proposes marriage to her anyway. The countess, on the other hand, urges Helen to follow her heart and find happiness with him. Reni turns up at the concert to beseech Helen not to take her husband away from her. Back at the estate, Reni attempts suicide and is rescued by Helen from a lake. Helen permanently ends her relationship with Tony and decides to return home.

Cast