The Smiling Lieutenant

19311931
PassedPassed
1h 33m

Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Comedy Romance Musical

An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.

Director
- Ernst Lubitsch
Writers
- Leopold Jacobson(operetta "Ein Walzertraum")
- Felix Dormann(operetta "Ein Walzertraum")
- Hans Müller(novel "Nux der Prinzgemahl")
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total

Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Maurice Chevalier, George Barbier, and Miriam Hopkins in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Claudette Colbert and Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Claudette Colbert and Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Claudette Colbert and Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Claudette Colbert and Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Claudette Colbert, Maurice Chevalier, and Charles Ruggles in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Maurice Chevalier and George Barbier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Claudette Colbert and Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Claudette Colbert, Maurice Chevalier, and Miriam Hopkins in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)

Maurice Chevalier

Lt. Nikolaus 'Niki' von Preynas Lt. Nikolaus 'Niki' von Preyn

Claudette Colbert

Franzias Franzi

Princess Annaas Princess Anna

Charles Ruggles

Maxas Max

King Adolf XVas King Adolf XV

Niki's Orderlyas Niki's Orderly

Lady in Waitingas Lady in Waiting
(uncredited)

Granville Bates

Bill Collectoras Bill Collector
(uncredited)

Harry C. Bradley

Count Von Haldenas Count Von Halden
(uncredited)

Lady in Waitingas Lady in Waiting
(uncredited)

Ludwig Heinsich

Manas Man
(uncredited)

Cornelius MacSunday

Emperor Franz Josefas Emperor Franz Josef
(uncredited)

Elizabeth Patterson

Baroness von Schwedelas Baroness von Schwedel
(uncredited)

Lilyas Lily
(uncredited)

Werner Saxtorph

Josephas Joseph
(uncredited)

Master of Ceremoniesas Master of Ceremonies
(uncredited)

Col. Rockoffas Col. Rockoff
(uncredited)

Charles Wagenheim

Arresting Officeras Arresting Officer
(uncredited)

Director
- Ernst Lubitsch
Writers
- Leopold Jacobson(operetta "Ein Walzertraum")
- Felix Dormann(operetta "Ein Walzertraum")
- Hans Müller(novel "Nux der Prinzgemahl")
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

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7.2

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7.0

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6.8

The Merry Widow

7.3

The Merry Widow

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7.3

Trouble in Paradise

8.0

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Design for Living

7.5

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Five Star Final

7.3

Five Star Final

The Merry Widow

7.6

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Bluebeard's Eighth Wife

7.3

Bluebeard's Eighth Wife

Heaven Can Wait

7.4

Heaven Can Wait

She Done Him Wrong

6.4

She Done Him Wrong

Lieutenant Niki of the Austrian royal guard has a new girlfriend, Franzi. He's crazy about her and is smiling at her while on duty in the street. King Adolf and his daughter Princess Anna from the neighboring kingdom of Flausenthurm drive by, and Anna intercepts a wink meant for Franzi. She falls for Niki, marries him (he has no choice in the matter), and whisks him off to Flausenthurm. Franzi follows and enjoys a brief affair with Niki before Anna finds out. Franzi, much more experienced in the ways of the world, gives Anna lessons on how to win the affections of her husband. —John Oswalt <jao@jao.com>

remake face slap lesbian kiss lieutenant wink 28 more

Trivia
A French version with dialogue and lyrics by Henri Bataille was shown in New York on 15 October 1931 and was also a big hit in Paris. It had the same three leading actors and was filmed at the same time as the English language version, as dubbing had not yet been invented.

Goofs
In the latter part of the movie, Lt. Nikolaus 'Niki' von Preyn (Maurice Chevalier) bounds up a grand staircase painted to appear as marble, but the loud clomp-clomp-clomp of his shoes reveals it to be wood.

Quotes
Franzi: Girls who start with breakfast don't usually stay for supper.

Alternate versions
A version in French with dialogue and lyrics by 'Henri Bataille (II)' played in New York City, New York, USA on 15 October 1931, and was a big hit in Paris. It probably was a dubbed English version, but slightly shorter at 2,476.80 m in length.

Connections
Featured in The House That Shadows Built (1931)

Soundtracks
Toujours l'Amour in the Army
(1931) (uncredited)
Music by Oscar Straus
Lyrics by Clifford Grey
Sung by Maurice Chevalier twice

Top review

10/10

Sublime, and almost immoral.

This film is sheer perfection - the Lubitsch Touch is here in spades. This must be one of the most charming films ever made, and it is technically brilliant too for the early talkie era. A fabulous show-case for the talents of three new Paramount stars - Maurice Chevalier has never been better, Claudette Colbert is buoyant - and Miriam Hopkins is an absolute marvel as the innocent princess. When will she be given the adulation she deserves - certainly one of the best actresses of her generation. And George Barbier is also brilliant as her father.

This film could only have been made in the pre-code days - it is very very naughty. The mating pillows is only one example of many sexual innuendos and symbols. But it is all too charming to be offensive to even the most prudish person. One of the best films of the early Thirties.

helpful•38

7

David-240
Feb 28, 2000

Release date
- August 1, 1931 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Languages
- English
- French
Also known as
- Ein Walzertraum
Filming locations
- Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Production company
- Paramount Pictures
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Runtime
1 hour 33 minutes
Color
- Black and White
Aspect ratio
- 1.20 : 1

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