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The Medium

Released Sep 5, 1951 1h 24m Musical List
Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Directed by Gian Carlo Menotti and based on his own opera, this is the story of Madame Flora (Marie Powers), a charlatan psychic who uses her adopted deaf-mute son, Toby (Leo Coleman), in her performances for dramatic effect. During a séance, she feels hands around her neck and throws Toby out, assuming he was the culprit. When Toby returns to visit Flora's daughter, Monica (Anna Maria Alberghetti), whom he likes, Flora mistakes him for a burglar, leading to a fateful confrontation.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Dec 18, 2004 Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat How not to film an opera. Rated: 2/5 Aug 24, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

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Audience Member it just wasn't what I was excepting it to be... the ending left to many questions for my taste Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Magnificent noir adaptation of the opera by the composer working with Alexander Hammid. The lighting, angles, acting, and singing are all superb. The only. The disc looks like it has some telecine problems (horizonatal ghosting) but they said that their earlier VHS was nearly unwatchable by comparison and Menotti himself was amazed at a restoration cinephiles might consider sub-par. the sound recording is not great, nor is the fact that everyone is lip-snching, but there really wasn't an alternative until a few years ago. Probably the best feature film of an opera ever. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Medium

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The Medium

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Movie Info

Synopsis Directed by Gian Carlo Menotti and based on his own opera, this is the story of Madame Flora (Marie Powers), a charlatan psychic who uses her adopted deaf-mute son, Toby (Leo Coleman), in her performances for dramatic effect. During a séance, she feels hands around her neck and throws Toby out, assuming he was the culprit. When Toby returns to visit Flora's daughter, Monica (Anna Maria Alberghetti), whom he likes, Flora mistakes him for a burglar, leading to a fateful confrontation.
Director
Gian Carlo Menotti
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 5, 1951, Original
Runtime
1h 24m