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IMDbPro

The Smiling Lieutenant

  • 19311931
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)
ComedyMusicalRomance
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.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
    • Ernst Lubitsch
  • Writers
    • Ernest Vajda(screenplay by)
    • Samson Raphaelson(screenplay by)
    • Leopold Jacobson(based upon "The Waltz Dream" by)
  • Stars
    • Maurice Chevalier
    • Claudette Colbert
    • Miriam Hopkins
    • Ernst Lubitsch
  • Writers
    • Ernest Vajda(screenplay by)
    • Samson Raphaelson(screenplay by)
    • Leopold Jacobson(based upon "The Waltz Dream" by)
  • Stars
    • Maurice Chevalier
    • Claudette Colbert
    • Miriam Hopkins
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Photos24

    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)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Maurice Chevalier
    Maurice Chevalier
    • Niki
    Claudette Colbert
    Claudette Colbert
    • Franzi
    Miriam Hopkins
    Miriam Hopkins
    • Princess Anna
    Charles Ruggles
    Charles Ruggles
    • Max
    • (as Charlie Ruggles)
    George Barbier
    George Barbier
    • King Adolf XV
    Hugh O'Connell
    Hugh O'Connell
    • Niki's Orderly
    Maude Allen
    • Lady in Waiting
    • (uncredited)
    Granville Bates
    Granville Bates
    • Bill Collector
    • (uncredited)
    Harry C. Bradley
    Harry C. Bradley
    • Count Von Halden
    • (uncredited)
    Carrie Daumery
    Carrie Daumery
    • Lady in Waiting
    • (uncredited)
    Ludwig Heinsich
    • Man
    • (uncredited)
    Cornelius MacSunday
    • Emperor Franz Josef
    • (uncredited)
    Elizabeth Patterson
    Elizabeth Patterson
    • Baroness von Schwedel
    • (uncredited)
    Janet Reade
    • Lily
    • (uncredited)
    Werner Saxtorph
    • Joseph
    • (uncredited)
    Karl Stall
    • Master of Ceremonies
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Strange
    Robert Strange
    • Col. Rockoff
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Wagenheim
    Charles Wagenheim
    • Arresting Officer
    • (uncredited)
      • Ernst Lubitsch
    • Writers
      • Ernest Vajda(screenplay by)
      • Samson Raphaelson(screenplay by)
      • Leopold Jacobson(based upon "The Waltz Dream" by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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
      The unpaid bill demands only 1614,25 crowns, even though the sum adds up to 1855,25 crowns.
    • 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

    User reviews42

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Delightful confection
    If you like cotton candy, or maybe a marshmallow sundae with sprinkles and a cherry on top, this picture will be among your favorites. What could be more appealing than a Lubitsch romantic comedy with its characteristic sly innuendos? Perhaps one that is set in a palace, with uniformed guards, ladies-in-waiting, and pageantry that no one takes seriously. More appealing than that? All of the above, with music. Want more? The casting is perfect: a flirtatious, mugging Chevalier; a young and nicely naughty Claudette Colbert; and most notably Miriam Hopkins effectively playing the extremes - a prim, virginal innocent who learns the ways of a vamp in order to hold her man. As her father, George Barbier contributes impressively, too. Great fun; one of Lubitsch's best.
    helpful•13
    4
    • jaykay-10
    • May 23, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1, 1931 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
    • 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

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 33 minutes
      • Black and White

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