Oh, for a Man! (1930)

Carlotta Manson is a young and beautiful opera star who wants some spice in her personal life. She threatens to forsake opera for a wild, romantic fling. One night, a burglar, Barney McGann... See full summary »

Director:

Hamilton MacFadden

Writers:

Mary T. Watkins (story), Philip Klein,

Stars:

Jeanette MacDonald, Reginald Denny, Marjorie White

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeanette MacDonald	...	Carlotta Manson
Reginald Denny	...	Barney McGann
Marjorie White	...	Totsy Franklin
Warren Hymer	...	'Pug' Morini
Alison Skipworth	...	Laura
Albert Conti	...	Peck
Bela Lugosi	...	Frescatti

Storyline

Carlotta Manson is a young and beautiful opera star who wants some spice in her personal life. She threatens to forsake opera for a wild, romantic fling. One night, a burglar, Barney McGann breaks into Carlotta's boudoir while she's asleep to steal her jewelery. Carlotta awakes and is facinated with Barney. They date and marry at her Villa in Italy. Soon Barney can't take being married to a diva and leaves her. Carlotta picks herself up and returns to opera. One night as Carlotta is asleep in her boudoir, she is awaken by someone breaking in...

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Plot Keywords:

opera

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Taglines:

What wouldn't she do..for that man?

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Genres:

Musical | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 November 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Stolen Thunder

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming began September 12 1930, released November 5. Bela Lugosi's last film prior to "Dracula," which started September 29 1930.

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Soundtracks

"Liebestod"
(uncredited)
from "Tristan und Isolde"
Music by Richard Wagner

User Reviews

Marrying Your Burglar

It took a long time, but I think I finally found the worst movie Jeanette MacDonald ever made. And to think William Fox actually got her services on loan from Paramount for Oh, For A Man.

What's fascinating here is that there are elements from some really classic films that were later used far better. Jeanette is a bored opera diva who wakes up to find Reginald Denny robbing her home. Just like Greta Garbo in Grand Hotel finding John Barrymore doing the same. And of course they take to each other, especially Jeanette to Denny because he's going to provide something that she hasn't been getting regular in her life.

She even hears him sing a note or two and she finds talent there, I assure you that you won't. Just like Orson Welles finding that operatic talent in Dorothy Comingore in Citizen Kane. In the end though she just settles for sex from Denny.

Naturally though Denny is bored with his life. I can't go any further because that would spoil an unbelievable ending. Both Jeanette and Denny overact outrageously, I'm not sure anyone was directing them. You'll also find Alison Skipworth as her maid and confidante. There's one scene where Denny asks Alison Skipworth if she could imagine herself with Denny. There's a thought to turn over in your mind. Bela Lugosi also has a small role as a music impresario.

Jeanette sings two songs, an aria from Tristan And Isolde and a forgettable ballad, I'm Just Nuts About You. I can't believe she did such classic work at her studio of Paramount and later MGM and such total garbage when being loaned out.