The Merry Widow (1934) 7.4
The small kingdom of Marshovia has a little problem. The main tax-payer, the wealthy widow Sonia (who pays 52 0f the taxes) has left for Paris So Count Danilo is sent to Paris, to stop her ... See full summary » Director:Ernst Lubitsch |
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Title: The Merry Widow (1934)
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Won 1 Oscar.
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Maurice Chevalier | ... | ||
| Jeanette MacDonald | ... |
Sonia
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| Edward Everett Horton | ... |
Ambassador
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Una Merkel | ... |
Queen
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George Barbier | ... |
King
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Minna Gombell | ... |
Marcelle
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Ruth Channing | ... |
Lulu
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| Sterling Holloway | ... |
Orderly
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| Donald Meek | ... |
Valet
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Herman Bing | ... |
Zizipoff
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
The small kingdom of Marshovia has a little problem. The main tax-payer, the wealthy widow Sonia (who pays 52 0f the taxes) has left for Paris So Count Danilo is sent to Paris, to stop her from getting married by a stranger, so that the danger of removing the money is banned. But this is not that easy as the ambassador in Paris has planned. Written by Stephan Eichenberg <eichenbe@fak-cbg.tu-muenchen.de>
Taglines:
The musical that set all the standards.Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
2 November 1934 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
La viuda alegre See more »Filming Locations:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USACompany Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Valet: For everything. They're even telling jokes about your majesty.
King Achmet: Are they funny?
Valet: No.
King Achmet: That's bad.
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(1905) (uncredited)
Music by Franz Lehár
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Sung by Maurice Chevalier and chorus
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Did You Know?
Trivia
MGM hired at least 500 extras for the "Merry Widow" dance number. See more »Quotes
King Achmet: So they're blaming me, huh?Valet: For everything. They're even telling jokes about your majesty.
King Achmet: Are they funny?
Valet: No.
King Achmet: That's bad.
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Soundtracks
"Girls, Girls, Girls"(1905) (uncredited)
Music by Franz Lehár
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Sung by Maurice Chevalier and chorus
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This film is nothing short of glorious. Before films decided they had to be realistic they had style, and Lubitsch was the style king. Everything about this film is sumptuous and beautiful, and the Oscar winning art direction of Cedric Gibbons and Fredric Hope is truly magnificent. Not bad either are the gowns of Adrian.
MacDonald and Chevalier are excellent together, there is great support from Edward Everett Horton - and who will ever forget the magic scenes between Chevalier and the king and the queen - irresitably played by Una Merkel and George Barbier. The script is witty and a little naughty ("I know what to do with her but I'm too old"), the cinematography breath-taking and the music gorgeous.
But the star of the show is Lubitsch - the mass waltz scene is magnificent, the depiction of MacDonald's mourning clothes (all black - even the dog!) and their transformation into white is astonishing and, just when you think the plot is running out of steam, he gives us an hilarious ending that is unforgettable.
If you ever get a chance to see this on the big screen, run don't walk to the cinema. A perfect 10.