Starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Henry Travers, Albert Bassermann
Directed by Mervyn LeRoy
Despite himself, accomplished physicist and avowed bachelor Pierre Curie falls for brilliant student Marie, and together they embark on the discovery of radium.
A biographical story of the famous scientist and the work she did with her husband Pierre in the discovery of radium. Marie was a student at the Sorbonne studying for her Master's degree in physics when they first met. She received permission to use space in Professor Pierre Curie's laboratory. They soon fell in love and were married, working together on trying to isolate a radioactive substance Marie identified as radium. Years of painstaking research and experimentation led to success and Marie and Pierre Curie shared the Nobel Prize in Physics. Sadly, Pierre was killed crossing the street in the rain when he was run over by a horse and wagon. Marie continued to work and make major contributions to science.
M-G-M Studios bought the rights to film "Madame Curie" with Greta Garbo in mind, but Garbo left the studio in 1941 as the world was plunged into the grips of World War II. The studio now worried that wartime audiences would find this story rather drab. But the casting of the magical screen team of Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon guaranteed its success. Both Garson and Pidgeon received Academy Award nominations for their performances.
This picture illustrates everything wonderful about the confidence, expertise and narrative power of Hollywood films near the end of the classic period: it is entertaining, intelligent and carefully made in every department. A smooth celebration of scientific theory and of the romantic partnership of two scientists. And a noteably accurate telling of the story.
As a proper English lady, Greer Garson insisted on having tea served on the movie set every day at 4 o'clock. Once, while filming a scene, the actors were interrupted by a sharp whistling sound. Director Mervyn LeRoy shouted, "Cut! What the hell is that noise?" A voice responded from offstage, "It's Miss Garson's tea kettle, sir!"
This was the third of eight movies that paired Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. It was also the third of Greer Garson's run of five consecutive Oscar nominations for Best Actress. She had been nominated for Blossoms in the Dust (1941) and won for Mrs. Miniver (1942). She would be nominated again the next two years for Mrs. Parkington (1944) and The Valley of Decision (1945).