Gipsy Blood
In 1931, Sir Malcolm Sargent – then a rising young conductor – acted as musical director for this first filmed musical version of Prosper Mérimée’s classic story of passion and fatal jealousy, Carmen. With a score based on Bizet’s opera, Gipsy Blood features celebrated American soprano Marguerite Namara as the capricious gypsy girl from the cigarette factory; her co-performers include Thomas Burke as Carmen’s tormented lover, Don José, and New Zealand-born baritone Lance Fairfax as his rival, the toreador Escamillo.
Cast
Marguerite Namara
as Carmen
Thomas F. Burke
as Don Jose
Lance Fairfax
as Escamillo
Lester Matthews
as Zuniga
Mary Clare
as Factory Girl
Lewin Mannering
as Innkeeper
Hay Petrie
as Remenado
Dennis Wyndham
as Doncairo