One always likes to give Jeanette MacDonald movies high ratings, but a couple films she made just don't rate that well. And, it's not been due to her. MacDonald was a very good actress and singer, and she had an engaging screen persona. She does here as well in the role of Shirley Sheridan.
But, "The Cat and the Fiddle" just isn't that good on the screen. Three years earlier it was a smash Broadway hit. Never having seen that, I can't compare the two. But what this film shows is not very good casting, a very weak screenplay, and only so-so acting. The story doesn't have a sense of continuity and life that it must have had on stage. That may reflect the director and film editing some. But the cast of Frank Morgan as Jules Daudet is way off. One just can't believe Shirley even considering marrying him - no matter how wealthy he is or for a promising career.
Morgan was a fine actor and had a long career in Hollywood. He will forever be remembered, of course, as the wizard in "The Wizard of Oz." But he had some very good roles, dramatic and comedy. And, he had a few stinkers. These were mostly when he was cast in roles for which he just wasn't the right person. Often that had to do with his age. It's a matter of believability or even possibility at times with audiences. Well this is one role and film in which it's not the slightest believable that Jeanette MacDonald's character could fall for him or want to marry him.
Then, there's Ramon Novarro as Victor Florescu. He has top billing and is the main character of the film. Navarro also was a good actor and leading man. But his character here is too conflicted to be accepted, if not believed, by the audience. Again, that may be because of the script and/or direction. But his getting over his torment and giving up on Shirley is hardly believable for someone who was supposed so deeply in love. Now, for fame and fortune, one might see that was possible in a story. That would have called for something of a change of character.
With a much better screenplay, and one cast change this could have been a much better musical comedy. It has some crisp and witty dialog in places. Here are some favorite lines.
Daudet, 'Young men are selfish, egotistical." Shirley, "Maybe you're right." Daudet, "Occasionally."
Daudet, "Well, I'm fond of you, Victor." Victor, "I never suspected that." Daudet, "And I have great faith in your talent." Victor, "Nor that."
Daudet, "Very well, I'll be frank." Victor, "That will be a relief."
Daudet, "You mean to tell me you haven't done any work?" Victor, "You mean to tell me you didn't know it?"
Daudet, "I can make Shirley an international figure." Victor, "But I'm in the way?" Daudet, "You are!" Victor, "Very much." Daudet, "Very much. You want her to give up all this to wash dishes?" Victor, "Oh, but that would never do. She isn't good at washing dishes. She breaks them."
Daudet, "Do you want her to give up everything that a beautiful and talented young woman is entitled to, just to wait on you? Do you understand what I mean?" Victor, "Perfectly. You want me to give her up." Daudet, "Well, are you going to let her ruin her career?" Victor, "Why not? Other women have done more for love."
Odette, "I was in love once, so I married Rudy for security."
But, "The Cat and the Fiddle" just isn't that good on the screen. Three years earlier it was a smash Broadway hit. Never having seen that, I can't compare the two. But what this film shows is not very good casting, a very weak screenplay, and only so-so acting. The story doesn't have a sense of continuity and life that it must have had on stage. That may reflect the director and film editing some. But the cast of Frank Morgan as Jules Daudet is way off. One just can't believe Shirley even considering marrying him - no matter how wealthy he is or for a promising career.
Morgan was a fine actor and had a long career in Hollywood. He will forever be remembered, of course, as the wizard in "The Wizard of Oz." But he had some very good roles, dramatic and comedy. And, he had a few stinkers. These were mostly when he was cast in roles for which he just wasn't the right person. Often that had to do with his age. It's a matter of believability or even possibility at times with audiences. Well this is one role and film in which it's not the slightest believable that Jeanette MacDonald's character could fall for him or want to marry him.
Then, there's Ramon Novarro as Victor Florescu. He has top billing and is the main character of the film. Navarro also was a good actor and leading man. But his character here is too conflicted to be accepted, if not believed, by the audience. Again, that may be because of the script and/or direction. But his getting over his torment and giving up on Shirley is hardly believable for someone who was supposed so deeply in love. Now, for fame and fortune, one might see that was possible in a story. That would have called for something of a change of character.
With a much better screenplay, and one cast change this could have been a much better musical comedy. It has some crisp and witty dialog in places. Here are some favorite lines.
Daudet, 'Young men are selfish, egotistical." Shirley, "Maybe you're right." Daudet, "Occasionally."
Daudet, "Well, I'm fond of you, Victor." Victor, "I never suspected that." Daudet, "And I have great faith in your talent." Victor, "Nor that."
Daudet, "Very well, I'll be frank." Victor, "That will be a relief."
Daudet, "You mean to tell me you haven't done any work?" Victor, "You mean to tell me you didn't know it?"
Daudet, "I can make Shirley an international figure." Victor, "But I'm in the way?" Daudet, "You are!" Victor, "Very much." Daudet, "Very much. You want her to give up all this to wash dishes?" Victor, "Oh, but that would never do. She isn't good at washing dishes. She breaks them."
Daudet, "Do you want her to give up everything that a beautiful and talented young woman is entitled to, just to wait on you? Do you understand what I mean?" Victor, "Perfectly. You want me to give her up." Daudet, "Well, are you going to let her ruin her career?" Victor, "Why not? Other women have done more for love."
Odette, "I was in love once, so I married Rudy for security."