Folies Bergère de Paris (1935)

Director:

Roy Del Ruth

Writers:

Rudolph Lothar (play) and
Hans Adler (play) ...

Release Date:

22 February 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Plot:

An entertainer impersonates a look-alike banker, causing comic confusion for wife and girlfriend.

Plot Keywords:

Banker | Contract | Loan | Folies Bergère | Mistaken Identity

Awards:

Won Oscar.

Cast

Maurice Chevalier	...	Eugene Charlier / Baron Fernand Cassini
Merle Oberon	...	Baroness Genevieve Cassini
Ann Sothern	...	Mimi
Eric Blore	...	Francois
Ferdinand Munier	...	Morrisot
Walter Byron	...	Marquis René de Lac
Lumsden Hare	...	Gustave
Robert Greig	...	Henri
Ferdinand Gottschalk	...	Perishot
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Monsieur Paulet
Georges Renavent	...	Premier of France
Phillip Dare	...	Victor
Frank McGlynn Sr.	...	Joseph
Barbara Leonard	...	Toinette
Olin Howland	...	Stage Manager

Also Known As:

Folies Bergere (USA) (short title)
The Man from the Folies Bergere (UK)

Runtime:

USA:80 min (FMC Library Print) | 82 min (copyright length)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

USA:TV-G (TV rating) | USA:Approved (PCA #600)

Company:

20th Century Pictures

Trivia:

Darryl F. Zanuck invited many songwriters to write songs for the production in a competition, and then let 'Maurice Chevalier' (qc) select those he wanted to sing. Without hesitation, Chevalier chose the songs of Jack Meskill and Jack Stern.

Quotes:

Baroness Genevieve Cassini: Rene, why don't you marry, get yourself a wife of your own, and leave me alone?
Marquis Rene de Lac: If I can't be happy with another man's wife, how can I be happy with one of my own?

Movie Connections:

Alternate language version of Folies-Bergère (1936)

Soundtrack:

Singing a Happy Song

a smashing musical about mistaken identity

A double role for Maurice Chevalier here, as a performer at the Folies Bergeres plus a rich Baron he impersonates as part of his act. When misfortune hits the Baron, the performer finds an off-stage assignment which can only lead to fun for him and the audience.

Great musical numbers (especially Rhythm of the Rain and the finale with straw hats), strong casting (Ann Southern, Merle Oberon, and the hilarious Eric Blore), and a mixed identity plot which moves along with class and verve, 'Folies Bergere' is an extremely enjoyable example of Hollywood's 1930s flirtation with Europe.

Chevalier's last US role for more than a decade is perfect for him, and the dual roles showcase his acting skills as well as providing lots of chances for that old Gallic charm.