For Heaven’s Sake Clifton Webb as a harp playing angel?

[sherry-lenox]

This movie is showing on one of the classical movie stations, and the harp is appearing as a co-star. Does anyone have any comments about the use of the harp in the film?

I’m a bit of a buff for the movie making of that era, and I don’t think I’ve ever run across this one.

[catherine-rogers]

I just saw a clip of that performance on youtube (such a resource!). Couldn’t find a credit for the harpist on the IMDB but if I had to guess, I would say the playing was by Robert Maxwell, because I have a recording of him playing “St. Louis Blues” that sounds just like that arrangement. Clifton Webb did a very nice job of faking. Maxwell (or whoever really played it) probably coached him.

David Ice is our resident expert on harp in the movies and probably knows the answer. I bow to his expertise.

[Gretchen Cover]

A jazz harp foundation newsletter (2012) credits Robert Maxwell as the movie’s harpist. The clip is great! And I agree that Clifton Webb was very credible as a harpist.

[Gretchen Cover]

I really like Robert Maxwell’s arrangements so I did a little more searching via google. There are some headlines and news clips saying Robert Maxwell spent two days prepping Clifton Webb. Rumor had it that Maxwell was paid $100 an hour. I wish I could get paid that now:) It was really a small fortune when the movie was filmed.

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