http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032620/

the above is a link for the imdb page for "i was an adventuress". anyone happen to know why character actor fortunio bonanova is listed as the orchestra leader?

Isn't that a pseudonym Balanchine used? I think I read that in Taper.

That's true. I have seen the film.

Yep, on the nose. But why would he have used it? that's a real actor's name; he did have lines. i found it odd.

I do not know the film in question but presumably it was a character who was part of the plot especially as there is a ballet sequence with well-known dancers including George Balanchine who is uncredited.

Fortunio Bonanova who was in the film, was a Spanish film actor who appeared in many well-known American films including 'For whom the Bell Tolls.'

Is there a joke involved?

i don't know if he is in the movie. he's just shown on all the lists as playing the orchestra leader, but that is balanchine in that part.

unless you consider his big line a joke..."is that tempo right Miss Vronsky?"

Odd kind of inside joke, which I presume it was.

Bonanova also played the martyred voice coach of Kane’s mistress/second wife in “Citizen Kane.”

The profile and the voice are unmistakable; I was about 15 when I first saw the movie, and went, "Whaaa-a-a-a?!"

The scene is included in the PBS film bio of Balanchine. Perhaps they used Bonanova's name because Mr. B. didn't have a S.A.G. card?

That is the conclusion I eventually arrived at.