That Lady in Ermine (1948)

Circa 1861, Angelina, ruling countess of an Italian principality, is at a loss when invaded by a Hungarian army. Her lookalike ancestress Francesca, who saved a similar situation 300 years ... See full summary »

Director:

Ernst Lubitsch

Writer:

Samson Raphaelson (screenplay)

Stars:

Betty Grable, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Cesar Romero

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Betty Grable	...	Francesca / Angelina
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Colonel Ladislas Karolyi Teglas / The Duke
Cesar Romero	...	Count Mario
Walter Abel	...	Major Horvath / Benvenuto
Reginald Gardiner	...	Alberto
Harry Davenport	...	Luigi
Virginia Campbell	...	Theresa
Whit Bissell	...	Giulio

Storyline

Circa 1861, Angelina, ruling countess of an Italian principality, is at a loss when invaded by a Hungarian army. Her lookalike ancestress Francesca, who saved a similar situation 300 years before, comes to life from a portrait to help her descendant. Complicating factor: the newlywed countess feels strangely drawn to the handsome invader...

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Plot Keywords:

hungarian | newlywed | castle | jealousy | officer | 

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Taglines:

GAY, MUSICAL COMEDY...SPARKLING WITH SPICY SITUATIONS! (original ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1948 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

This Is the Moment

Box Office

Budget:

$2,484,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In later years Betty Grable said it was her least favorite of all her movies.

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Quotes

Col. Ladislas Karolyi Teglas: If one is in love, one doesn't need an umbrella.

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Connections

Referenced in Let's Go to the Movies (1949)

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Soundtracks

"This Is the Moment"
(uncredited)
Written by Friedrich Hollaender
Lyrics Leo Robin
Sung by Betty Grable and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

User Reviews

Betty hits rock bottom

Let me start out by saying that I used to really like Betty Grable, particularly from "Down Argentine Way", but by the time she got around to this disaster, she had also got "round" and frankly the whole film was an embarrassment. Costarred with Douglas Fairbanks JNr (who must have been fairly desperate) the story was bad, the colours good, and the film far too long. It had some of the old standbys in it like Harry Davenport and Reginald Gardiner to try and stimulate interest but with no success. The music score was woeful, and I have to say not one tune was memorable in any way....as I was such a fan of Miss Grable, I always wish I had never seen this one!