Malbin ‘Butterfly’ 1955 TV Film: REVIEW by Nino Pantano

May 27, 2012 by admin

Brooklyn Born Soprano Elaine Malbin Honored at The Paley Center
A review by Nino Pantano

Elaine Malbin has had a remarkable life. Born in Brooklyn and encouraged by her
public school teachers, she had a career as a child prodigy with a lovely
soprano voice. She made records with Mario Lanza for the film Toast of New
Orleans and sang with the New York City Opera. Ms. Malbin also starred on
Broadway in My Darling Aida and later in Kismet.

She retired to raise a family and sang sporadically since then. Ms. Malbin now
travels, teaching and coaching young singers. Occasionally she still sings and
time stands still.

Elaine Malbin’s early career had some disappointments. Her manager told her to
refuse a contract offered by the Metropolitan Opera – holding out for better
parts which did not happen. However, she was a pioneer in early TV and her
operatic appearances from NBC Opera Theater and other shows are now
gaining momentum and audiences for their searing intensity and vocal prowess.

In conjunction with Opera Index (http://www.operaindexinc.org/ ) and its
President Murray Rosenthal, on Saturday, May 19th, there was a special
showing of Madame Butterfly from the NBC Opera Theater from a broadcast on
December 4th 1955 that was aired at 1:15 PM for the audiences so long ago.

Associate Curator Rebecca Paller, of The Paley Center for Media on West 52nd
Street, was our enthusiastic host. She informed us that General David Sarnoff,
who brought Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony to the airwaves and
early television, created the NBC Opera Company to tour the US with opera in
English. He truly believed in the need for culture and this live showing would be
viewed in millions of American homes. The traveling company was formed and
lasted about a year. General Sarnoff spoke of these plans in the telecast.

The Madame Butterfly translation to English was by Ruth and Thomas Martin.

This 130 minute film in black and white was performed live. It featured Elaine
Malbin as Cio-Cio San, Davis Cunningham as Pinkerton, Conchita Gaston as
Suzuki and Warren Galjour as Sharpless. All the parts, large and small were
ideally cast. The sets and scenery were remarkable.The conductor was
Herbert Grossman, the director Kirk Browning and the music/artistic director
was Peter Herman Adler.

This production was so lovingly presented and so beautifully crafted that one
did not care about technicalities “blips” or primitive conditions. Their love for
the opera and its artistic integrity shined through. The music and drama were
what mattered. Unlike present times, these “pioneers” respected their product
and the intelligence of their audience.

The 23 year old Elaine Malbin was born to play Butterfly. Her impassioned
singing, personal beauty and extraordinary acting left one profoundly moved.

Unlike most Butterfly’s, hers is captured forever in its prime. For Ms. Malbin to
attain such heartbreak and beauty of tone at such a young age surely is
genius. Davis Cunningham was a splendid Pinkerton and his remorse at the
finale was almost too much to bear. His beautiful tenor voice and strong acting
was outstanding.

Concita Gaston was a supportive and sympathetic Suzuki and she too evoked
her character’s sadness and frustration with extraordinary depth.

Warren Galjour was a perfect Sharpless, his smooth baritone almost talk
singing his dialogue of a diplomat caught in a web of tragedy that he cannot
alter.

Johnny Silver as Goro and Emile Renan as Yamadori excelled in their parts.
Dorothy Krebill was a very compassionate Kate Pinkerton.

Elaine Malbin, looking youthful and trim with her husband and daughter Amy
and grandchildren looking on, discussed the film and her career with Opera
News writer, the erudite Eric Myers. What an emotional and gratifying
afternoon to know that these precious jewels from the past are not lost but
are reborn for future generations!