Question 1

How did Paul Henreid fake playing the cello in closeup shots?

Accepted Answer

He wore a special jacket with no sleeves and holes for two real cellists to insert their arms—one to bow, one to finger the music—while seated behind him, out of shot.

Question 2

Despite being a box office hit, why did Deception lose money?

Accepted Answer

It was so expensive to make that it lost half a million dollars, becoming the first Bette Davis movie to lose money since she signed at Warner Bros. in 1932.

Question 3

Who recorded the cello parts for Paul Henreid's character?

Accepted Answer

Eleanor Aller (Mrs. Felix Slatkin) recorded the cello playing while pregnant with Frederic Zlotkin. Her father, Gregory Aller, coached Henreid in plausible bow movements.

Question 4

Which composer recorded the Beethoven sonata Bette Davis plays in the film?

Accepted Answer

The part of Beethoven's 'Piano Sonata No. 23 Appassionata' was recorded by composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who had been a child prodigy.

Question 5

Which actress was originally planned for the role of Christine before Bette Davis?

Accepted Answer

Barbara Stanwyck was planned for the role of Christine after Warner Bros. purchased the rights to the play.

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Deception

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