I can't think of a film that visibly shows an advertisement for ex-lax, that is, not until now. You won't need any to enjoy this delightful pre-code comedy with songs, an elegant romance featuring Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert, two native French legends, in the first of two films they made together. Chevalier, then at the top of his romantic height, scored an Oscar nomination for this, and his easy going persona makes him truly likable. Back in the early 1980's, I saw a screening of 1934's "The Merry Widow" where 75 plus year old ladies cooed like school girls just by his very presence.
Colbert, a French transplant at the age of 3, is ultra American chic as the daughter of an imperious wealthy industrialist (the equally portly George Barbier). She is first seen being serenaded by Chevalier to the lyrics of one of his biggest hits, "A New Kind of Love" (later spoofed by ALL of the Marx Brothers in "Monkey Business"), and you can see in those big eyes of hers everything she's thinking. As Colbert indicated in later years, there was more heat in the insinuations of sex than the actual deeds shown in movies from the 1960's on.
Thanks to Colbert, the talented but broke Chevalier gets a job working at her father's factory, getting a room in a local boarding house. The unbilled actress playing the down to earth landlady ogles him just like the old ladies did at that screening I attended all those years ago. Nat Pendleton is very funny as the tough guy who is won over by Chevalier's down to earth manner. The plot line basically surrounds the differences in their class, other romantic obstacles that create unwarranted jealousies, and of course, their own egos. Chevalier finally impresses Barbier by inventing an alcohol flavored gum, adding more amusing complications. It's a simple story, played with charm, sophistication and humanity, with two beautiful stars who are equally as talented.
Colbert, a French transplant at the age of 3, is ultra American chic as the daughter of an imperious wealthy industrialist (the equally portly George Barbier). She is first seen being serenaded by Chevalier to the lyrics of one of his biggest hits, "A New Kind of Love" (later spoofed by ALL of the Marx Brothers in "Monkey Business"), and you can see in those big eyes of hers everything she's thinking. As Colbert indicated in later years, there was more heat in the insinuations of sex than the actual deeds shown in movies from the 1960's on.
Thanks to Colbert, the talented but broke Chevalier gets a job working at her father's factory, getting a room in a local boarding house. The unbilled actress playing the down to earth landlady ogles him just like the old ladies did at that screening I attended all those years ago. Nat Pendleton is very funny as the tough guy who is won over by Chevalier's down to earth manner. The plot line basically surrounds the differences in their class, other romantic obstacles that create unwarranted jealousies, and of course, their own egos. Chevalier finally impresses Barbier by inventing an alcohol flavored gum, adding more amusing complications. It's a simple story, played with charm, sophistication and humanity, with two beautiful stars who are equally as talented.