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:

Metro Goldwyn Mayer rings up the curtain on it's greatest achievement-A Glamorous pageant of DRAMA, MIRTH and BEAUTY- mightier than any musical yet seen on the screen. It's the screen musical masterpiece. (Print Ad-Register-Herald, ((Pine Plains, NY)) 4 April 1935)

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert Z. Leonard was the original director of the movie, but asked to be relieved of the assignment after the first day of shooting.

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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 let's talk this over as one mudlark to another...
Marietta: I do not wish to be included in that.
Warrington: ...but that was no street singers' warbling, Blue Eyes. The quality of those tones was something...
Marietta: I used to appear at the Opera Comique.
Warrington: I see, until the manager wished for you to appear as Lady Godiva and you refused.
Marietta: Yes, something like that, yes.

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Connections

Spoofed in Young Frankenstein (1974)

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Soundtracks

Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life
(1910) (uncredited)
Music by Victor Herbert
Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young
Sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy

User Reviews

Tramp, tramp, tramp

Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy had their first teaming in the musical "Naughty Marietta" in 1935. They went on to make "The New Moon," "I Married an Angel," my favorite, "Maytime," and many others. Both performers were operatically trained, Eddy possessing a magnificent high baritone, and MacDonald a coloratura soprano. If her high notes don't have frontal placement and seem to back off, it's still a pretty voice, and of the two, she was the actor as well as being a great beauty.

Though the film uses the Victor Herbert score, it differs in plot from the actual musical. Here, a princess ordered to marry one Don Carlo replaces her maid, Marietta, on a ship that carries women to New Orleans to look for a husband. Right before they arrive, pirates attack the ship and the women are rescued by mercenaries, headed by Richard Worthington (Eddy). With her beauty and obvious education, Marietta sticks out and begins a love-hate relationship with the vain Worthington. Soon, however, a messenger arrives - the King is looking for his escaped princess.

The couple sing "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," while Eddy leads his men in "Tramp, tramp, tramp," and MacDonald entertains with the "Italian Street Song," and "Chansonette" among other solos that each has.

This isn't the greatest MacDonald-Eddy musical, but it was a huge hit and started them off on their partnership. Were they in love in real life? Supposedly they were and never got together because Eddy wouldn't have wanted her to work. But take a look at Gene Raymond. He kind of looks like Nelson Eddy.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Naughty 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