Jeanette MacDonald plays a Mata Hari spy for the Spanish in reversing the overthrow of the Spanish Crown by Napoleonic forces. The Production Code of 1937 keeps her dalliances with French officers as innocent, but no doubt they were anything but.
It's a playful and beautiful love story between the hardened Nina and the patriotic Andre, caught up in both sides of a senseless imperial war.
I never understood why Alan Jones was rejected by the studios after his amazing, virile performance in this film. No doubt he didn't understand either. He switched studios, but fared no better and went on to pursue a successful singing career.
The film is full of great dialogue and great singing. The Donkey Serenade is a masterpiece of singing, editing and musical direction. I'd love to know more about that gorgeous boy who played the piccolo.
Review of The Firefly
