Torch Song (film)

Torch Song
Original theatrical poster
Directed by	Charles Walters
Produced by	Henry Berman Sidney Franklin, Jr. Charles Schnee
Screenplay by	John Michael Hayes Jan Lustig ()
Based on	Why Should I Cry? (1949) by I.A.R. Wylie
Starring	Joan Crawford Michael Wilding Gig Young Marjorie Rambeau
Music by	Adolph Deutsch
Cinematography	Robert H. Planck
Edited by	Albert Akst
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date	October 23, 1953 (1953-10-23)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1,029,000
Box office	$1,668,000

Torch Song is a 1953 Technicolor romantic musical drama film by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Joan Crawford and Michael Wilding in a story about a Broadway star and her rehearsal pianist. The screenplay by John Michael Hayes and Jan Lustig () was based upon the story "Why Should I Cry?" by I. A. R. Wylie in 1949 Saturday Evening Post. The film was directed by Charles Walters and produced by Sidney Franklin, Henry Berman, and Charles Schnee. Joan Crawford's singing voice was dubbed by India Adams.

Torch Song has gained note for the musical number "Two-Faced Woman" from The Band Wagon in which Crawford, in blackface, lip-syncs to the voice of India Adams while writhing with male dancers. The film marked Crawford's return to MGM after a ten-year absence. Her original recordings for the soundtrack, which were not used in the film, have survived and been included in home video releases.

Jenny Stewart (Joan Crawford) is a tough Broadway musical star, alienating her colleagues with her neurotic demands for absolute perfection. Jenny takes offense when her new rehearsal pianist Tye Graham (Michael Wilding) criticizes her song stylings and ruthless ways.

Graham was blinded in World War II but fell in love with Jenny when he was a young reporter. Deep down, Jenny yearns for a real and lasting love but is disenchanted with the men around her such as Broadway parasite Cliff Willard (Gig Young).