The Love Parade (1929)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Ernst Lubitsch

Writers:

Guy Bolton (writer)
Jules Chancel (play)

Release Date:

1930 (Austria)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Paramount introduces the beautiful, sensational, Jeanette MacDonald! Charming! Sexy! Funny! Romantic! Great entertainment!

Plot:

The queen of mythical Sylvania marries a courtier, who finds his new life unsatisfying.

Plot Keywords:

Queen | Count | Maid | Marriage | Manservant

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars.

Cast

Maurice Chevalier	...	Count Alfred Renard
Jeanette MacDonald	...	Queen Louise
Lupino Lane	...	Jacques
Lillian Roth	...	Lulu
Eugene Pallette	...	Minister of War
E.H. Calvert	...	Sylvanian Ambassador
Edgar Norton	...	Master of Ceremonies
Lionel Belmore	...	Prime Minister

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Considered by many to be the first musical film in which the songs were integrated with the story.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Jacques: [singing] I'll lay the dish here / Ooh, la la la la! / To hold the fish here / Ooh, la la la la! / The serviettes here / And now the cigarettes here / And matches, too. / They mustn't complain. / A little candy / Ooh, la la la la! / A little brandy / Ooh, la la la la! / A bunch of roses / To show the way we entertain / And a little bottle of champagne.

Soundtrack:

The Queen is always Right

Chevalier Shines In Lubitsch Teaser

Domestic difficulties between the strong-willed Queen of Sylvania and her stubborn Consort may cause them both to miss THE LOVE PARADE.

Director Ernst Lubitsch spread his special brand of sophisticated naughtiness in this visually impressive & engaging early talkie musical. Depending much on the intelligence of the viewer, the film serves up unexpected bons mons of wit (e.g. the dog barking his farewells to the pooches of Paris) which never fail to enchant. Lubitsch would contribute a series of delightful little comedies over the next several years, making the title of this confection pertinent in more ways than one.

Maurice Chevalier practically oozes Gaelic charm in a wonderfully hammy, ingratiating performance. His French charisma dominates the screen; he embraces his songs rather than just singing them. His immense joie de vivre & exceptional talent was perfectly attuned to the sound motion picture. In her film debut, the lovely Jeanette MacDonald proves a charming partner to Chevalier. Imperious or coquettish by turns, she beguiles the viewer as well as Maurice--her celebrated voice (when intelligible) put to good use in the seduction.

British physical comedian Lupino Lane is a winner as Chevalier's highly energetic little valet; lanky Lillian Roth, as a palace maid, joins him for some humorous knockabout songs. Lionel Belmore & Eugene Palette bring appropriately hefty gravitas to their roles as government ministers. Diminutive Edgar Norton appears as an unflappable majordomo.

Movie mavens will recognize silent screen comic Ben Turpin as a cross-eyed lackey, Russ Powell as the Afghan Ambassador and young Jean Harlow as one of a group of women applauding Chevalier at the theatre, all uncredited.