In this sweet, romantic comedy of errors set in Paris, Maurice Chevalier plays a poor tailor, Maurice Courtelin, who moves in with nobility when he tries to collect a debt from Vicomte Gilbert de Vareze (Charles Ruggles) who cannot pay. To buy time, de Vareze invites Courtelin to stay with his family, and introduces him as a baron. Courtelin's overwhelming charm soon wins over the entire household, including the alluring Princess Jeanette (Jeanette MacDonald). Though at first skeptical of his pedigree, Princess Jeanette warms to Courtelin - does romance follow? In addition to the superb lead performances, Charles Ruggles and Myna Loy supply steady laughs with their loony caricatures, and Rouben Mamoulian's direction takes full advantage of the talented cast and music provided by Rodgers and Hart. This rollicking musical possesses even more significance given its pre-code status - a film made prior to the institution of the self-censorship of sex, violence and other controversial content that began formally in 1934 and lasted until the late 1960s.
DVD Features:
Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary: Miles Kreuger - Founder and President, Institute of the American Musical, Inc.
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
Photo Gallery and Promotional Material
Production Documents and Censorship Records
Screenplay Excerpts of Deleted Scenes
Additional Products:
Booklet Essay - Miles Kreuger, Founder and President, Institute of the American Musical, Inc.
Songs:
1. "Louise" - Maurice Chevalier
2. "Love Me Tonight" - Jeanette MacDonald (from the Paramount Newsreel - HOLLYWOOD ON PARADE)
Costume Designer
Travis Banton:
Director of Photography
Victor Milner: American Director Of Photography
Screenplay
George Marion:
Screenplay
Samuel Hoffenstein:
Screenplay
Waldemar Young: Screenwriter
Source Writer
Leopold Marchand: French Author/Playwright
Source Writer
Paul Armont: Russian Author/Playwright
Costume Designer
Edith Head: Oscar winning costume designer, THE STING
Review 1:
"Many movie-savvy people rate Rouben Mamoulian's classic as among the best '30s musicals."
Source: USA Today
p.8E 11/28/2003