Naughty Marietta (1935)

In order to avoid a prearranged marriage, a rebellious French princess sheds her identity and escapes to colonial New Orleans, where she finds an unlikely true love.

Directors:

Robert Z. Leonard (uncredited), W.S. Van Dyke (uncredited)

Writers:

Rida Johnson Young (book), John Lee Mahin (screen play)

Stars:

Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Frank Morgan

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeanette MacDonald	...	Marietta
Nelson Eddy	...	Warrington
Frank Morgan	...	Governor d'Annard
Elsa Lanchester	...	Madame d'Annard
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Uncle (as Douglas Dumbrille)
Joseph Cawthorn	...	Herr Schuman (as Joseph Cawthorne)
Cecilia Parker	...	Julie
Walter Kingsford	...	Don Carlos
Greta Meyer	...	Frau Schuman
Akim Tamiroff	...	Rudolpho
Harold Huber	...	Abe
Edward Brophy	...	Zeke

Storyline

Princess Marie de Namours de la Bonfain is a beautiful, young, sophisticated French princess of 23, who finds more worth in true love than a title. On the eve of her arranged marriage, to a Spanish-grandee, whom she doesn't love, her maid, Marietta comes to her to say farewell. Marietta is to leave that night on a cargo ship bound for New Orleans where she is to make a new life and find a husband. Princess Marie trades places with Marietta to escape her unwanted marriage and takes on the maid, Marietta's identity. While sailing, the cargo ship is taken hostage by pirates, but, Captain Richard Warrington and his mercenaries soon come to the rescue. Captain Warrington is quickly taken by the beautiful princess aka Marietta and she with him. But, he has no interest in marriage and she's afraid she might be recognized. Meanwhile in France, a search and reward is out for Princess Marie's whereabouts. Princess Marie's Uncle and fiancée soon discover that she is in New Orleans and sail for ...

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Plot Keywords:

princess | captain | pirate | arranged marriage | operetta | 

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Taglines:

MGM's great musical romance!

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Marietta

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first of eight movies that Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy made together, as "America's Singing Sweethearts."

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Goofs

The 17th Century French nuns have plucked eyebrows and wear make-up and lipstick.

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Quotes

Warrington: Now the nightmare is all over, ladies. The next man who lays a finger on any of you will be... your husband.

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Connections

Referenced in The Waltons: Spring Fever (1978)

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Soundtracks

Ship Ahoy
(1910) (uncredited)
Music by Victor Herbert
Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young
Additional lyrics by Gus Kahn (1935)
Sung by Jeanette MacDonald, Akim Tamiroff, M. Sankar, Countess Sonia, Alexander Bokefi and William Sabbot

User Reviews

Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life

Forgive me for loving this movie! It is dated and corny and the acting of Nelson Eddy is sadly lacking BUT when he and Jeanette McDonald break into song, nothing else matters. With the most glorious voices in the movies, these two made it all worthwhile. Both were gorgeous to look at but McDonald was obviously the better actor while Eddy had the classically trained voice. Together they took your breath away. The haunting "Sweet Mystery of Life" will bring tears to your eyes. This is by far the best of their series of movies although "Maytime" has some equally beautiful music and is a weeper to boot! Take the time to watch this film, you will not be disappointed. It's glorious!!!