Copyright 19th July 1934 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. New York opening simultaneously at the Capitol and Loew's Metropolitan: 27 July 1934. Australian release: 6 February 1935. 73 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A group of Americans in Paris regularly drink at Jimmy's Bar. The group includes the charismatic newspaperman, Sam Coll (Otto Kruger); young-man-about-town, Pat Wells (Robert Young); charming reporter, Julie Bell (Madge Evans); and sarcastic sob sister, Cassie (Una Merkel). Pat is in love with Julie, but she idolizes Sam. When Sam is assigned to China, Julie is heartbroken even though Sam promises to marry her on his return.
NOTES: The play opened on Broadway at the Henry Miller on 5th December, 1933. Following unenthusiastic reviews ("Neither the plot, acting nor dialogue can pull this thin story of American expatriates in Paris, into the ranks of even the moderately worthwhile." - Theatre Arts), the play closed after 39 performances. Hope Williams, Fred Keating, Eric Dressler, Mary Philips and the then rather youngish James Stewart were in the cast. Arthur Sircom directed for producer Courtney Burr.
COMMENT: Madge Evans and Otto Kruger are two of my favorites. And I must admit that I've always liked confident but unassuming Robert Young. Put all three players together and you've got a winner before the narrative even starts. And this turns out to be a fascinating story, peopled with realistically interesting characters.
Despite his prominent billing, Kruger's key role actually turns out to be quite small. Yet he is absolutely marvelous. In fact, he tops his brilliant performance in Beauty for Sale. Robert Young is not outdone either, managing to carry the film quite ably during Kruger's long absence. Miss Evans, of course, is as charmingly desirable as ever, making her attachment to Kruger not only seem believable but inevitable.
A thankfully more-restrained-than-usual Una Merkel heads a first-rate support cast, ably handled by under-rated director Edwin L. Marin, who, in collaboration with his brilliant photographer, Milton Krasner, brings both style and pace to this first-rate M-G-M gem.
SYNOPSIS: A group of Americans in Paris regularly drink at Jimmy's Bar. The group includes the charismatic newspaperman, Sam Coll (Otto Kruger); young-man-about-town, Pat Wells (Robert Young); charming reporter, Julie Bell (Madge Evans); and sarcastic sob sister, Cassie (Una Merkel). Pat is in love with Julie, but she idolizes Sam. When Sam is assigned to China, Julie is heartbroken even though Sam promises to marry her on his return.
NOTES: The play opened on Broadway at the Henry Miller on 5th December, 1933. Following unenthusiastic reviews ("Neither the plot, acting nor dialogue can pull this thin story of American expatriates in Paris, into the ranks of even the moderately worthwhile." - Theatre Arts), the play closed after 39 performances. Hope Williams, Fred Keating, Eric Dressler, Mary Philips and the then rather youngish James Stewart were in the cast. Arthur Sircom directed for producer Courtney Burr.
COMMENT: Madge Evans and Otto Kruger are two of my favorites. And I must admit that I've always liked confident but unassuming Robert Young. Put all three players together and you've got a winner before the narrative even starts. And this turns out to be a fascinating story, peopled with realistically interesting characters.
Despite his prominent billing, Kruger's key role actually turns out to be quite small. Yet he is absolutely marvelous. In fact, he tops his brilliant performance in Beauty for Sale. Robert Young is not outdone either, managing to carry the film quite ably during Kruger's long absence. Miss Evans, of course, is as charmingly desirable as ever, making her attachment to Kruger not only seem believable but inevitable.
A thankfully more-restrained-than-usual Una Merkel heads a first-rate support cast, ably handled by under-rated director Edwin L. Marin, who, in collaboration with his brilliant photographer, Milton Krasner, brings both style and pace to this first-rate M-G-M gem.