Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Merry Widow (1934)
The Merry Widow
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Merry Widow (1934) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 3 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   858 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 57% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Ernst Lubitsch
Writers:
Ernest Vajda (screenplay) &
Samson Raphaelson (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Merry Widow on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 November 1934 (USA) more
Genre:
Musical | Comedy | Romance more
Tagline:
The musical that set all the standards.
Plot:
The small kingdom of Marshovia has a little problem. The main tax-payer, the wealthy widow Sonia (who... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. more
User Comments:
Give yourself over to absolute pleasure! more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Maurice Chevalier ... Count Danilo

Jeanette MacDonald ... Madame Sonia / Fifi

Edward Everett Horton ... Ambassador Popoff
Una Merkel ... Queen Dolores
George Barbier ... King Achmet
Minna Gombell ... Marcelle
Ruth Channing ... Lulu
Sterling Holloway ... Mischka
Donald Meek ... Valet
Herman Bing ... Zizipoff
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
99 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | French
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
West Germany:12 (nf)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
MGM hired at least 500 extras for the "Merry Widow" dance number. more
Quotes:
King Achmet: Now tell me, if you weren't married... if you weren't my wife, could you fall for Gabrielovitsch?
Queen Dolores: If I weren't married... if I had it to do over again, and had the choice between you and Gabrielovitsch? Frankly, I'd take you.
[King Achmet laughs contentedly]
Queen Dolores: That shows you what I think of Gabrielovitsch.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 100 Years of Comedy (1997) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Melody of Laughter more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
19 out of 20 people found the following comment useful:-
Give yourself over to absolute pleasure!, 2 September 1999
Author: David Atfield (bits@alphalink.com.au) from Canberra, Australia

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Merry Widow (1934)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Ninotchka The Smiling Lieutenant Folies Bergère de Paris Fools for Scandal Trouble in Paradise
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Musical section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.