The Affairs of Cellini (1934)

The 16th-century sculptor woos the Duchess of Florence despite the duke.

Director:

Gregory La Cava

Writers:

Bess Meredyth (screen play), Edwin Justus Mayer (from the play by),

Stars:

Constance Bennett, Fredric March, Frank Morgan

Nominated for 4 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Constance Bennett	...	Duchess of Florence
Fredric March	...	Benvenuto Cellini
Frank Morgan	...	Alessandro - Duke of Florence
Fay Wray	...	Angela
Vince Barnett	...	Ascanio
Jessie Ralph	...	Beatrice
Louis Calhern	...	Ottaviano
Jay Eaton	...	Polverino
Paul Harvey	...	Emissary
Jack Rutherford	...	Captain of the Guards (as John Rutherford)
Irene Ware	...	Daughter of the Royal House of Bocci

Storyline

The 16th-century sculptor woos the Duchess of Florence despite the duke.

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Plot Keywords:

sculptor | florence italy | deception | guard | artist | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

24 August 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Firebrand

Box Office

Budget:

$549,370 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 27, 1946 with Frank Morgan reprising his film role.

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Quotes

Duchess of Florence: Jelly - how like the men of our times.

User Reviews

A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR LA CAVA FANS

Gregory La Cava is one of Hollywood's great directors, but this isn't up to his standard, despite a good cast. Though supposedly a comedy of manners, it's really a swashbuckler with hardly any swash. Morgan, a milquetoast king though he tries to act ferocious, overdoes his "well I don't...ahem...do you really...oh well, I..." routine. Fay Wray is best as an artist's model. She's sexy, yet so dumb she hasn't the imagination for romance. At one point, when the other characters are trying to get her to take part in an elaborate charade to make someone think that someone is not someone's lover, she says, "Oh, this is so silly." One of the few really funny lines, and, sadly, all too true.