Review of The Cat and the Fiddle

There are so many things wrong with this 1934 MGM production. This is a semi-operetta, whose weak script and totally miscast stars drags this lavishly produced love story to yawnsville. The 31 year old perky MacDonald, who has noticeable dark rings under her eyes, plays the part of an 18 year old, to a weak voiced, and obviously effeminate 34 year old Ramon Novarro. The story is just plain silly. All but the final number where the boy gets the girl is B/W. Then like magic MGM pulls off their switch to color routine. The boy is holding the girl and singing of love when a tree in back of them suddenly sprouts and grows upward. It’s embarrassing and non too subtle. The supporting cast that includes Jean Hersholt, who went on to become famous playing Dr Christian on radio and in films, is wasted as an old man with too few lines. Leonid Kinskey is his same old silly self. The direction was nothing special, but can be forgiven due to the fact that color and sound was still being perfected. The script by Bella Spewack cannot be forgiven. It was just weak and unbelievable.

What’s positive here? Words by Otto Harback and music by Jerome Kern. What little music there is shines. A lot more would have been a big plus. The best role was played by Frank Morgan, who later played Professor Marvel the Wizard of Oz. He was the much older rejected lover, and he played the part quite believably.

Saying this, I would recommend this to students of ancient movie making. I often wondered about Novarro. I heard and read so much about him. To me he just doesn’t come across well. But, that’s just me.