Interrupted Melody

Despite her humble background as the daughter of an Australian sheep farmer, Marjorie Lawrence travels to Europe to study opera after she wins a regional opera contest in Geelong. Against the odds of even getting noticed by a vocal coach, she manages to train under the tutelage of renowned Madame Gilly. From there, with her brother Cyril at her side as her manager, Marjorie goes from one operatic success to another through Europe. When she goes to New York for her debut at the Met, she reconnects with obstetrician Dr. Thomas King, the man who helped a then lonely Marjorie celebrate her first ever opera success in Monte Carlo years earlier. Despite their competing professional priorities - Tom is just starting his medical practice - Tom and Marjorie decide to marry, with Marjorie forgoing touring. The focus of their lives change when Marjorie is stricken with polio, the disease which confines her to a wheelchair. Marjorie retreats not only from singing but from life. It isn't until she is shown others less fortunate than herself that she begins to work toward a life as a singer again.