Roberta (1935)

In Paris, a man clueless about fashion suddenly inherits his aunt's dress shop, while his bandleader friend reunites with his old flame.

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

Jerome Kern (from the play), Otto A. Harbach (book)

Stars:

Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Irene Dunne	...	Stephanie
Fred Astaire	...	Huck Haines
Ginger Rogers	...	Lizzie Gatz aka Tanka Scharwenka
Randolph Scott	...	John Kent
Helen Westley	...	Aunt Minnie ak Roberta
Claire Dodd	...	Sophie Teale
Victor Varconi	...	Prince Ladislaw
Luis Alberni	...	Alexander Petrovitch Moscovitch Voyda
Ferdinand Munier	...	Lord Henry Delves
Torben Meyer	...	Albert
Adrian Rosley	...	Professor
Bodil Rosing	...	Fernande

Storyline

Football player John Kent tags along as Huck Haines and the Wabash Indianians travel to an engagement in Paris, only to lose it immediately. John and company visit his aunt, owner of a posh fashion house run by her assistant, Stephanie. There they meet the singer Scharwenka (alias Huck's old friend Lizzie), who gets the band a job. Meanwhile, Madame Roberta passes away and leaves the business to John and he goes into partnership with Stephanie.

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Plot Keywords:

fashion | reference to amelia earhart | paris france | dressmaker | jazz band | 

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Taglines:

Jerome Kern's Queen of Musical Romances!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Russian

Release Date:

8 March 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Роберта

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$610,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The tiara worn by Irene Dunne in the "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" number was real emeralds worth in excess of $250,000, borrowed from a jeweler for the duration of filming.

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Goofs

When John Kent arrives in Paris and goes to the building where Roberta lives, the doorman tells him that she is on the "troisième étage " and indicates that John should press the corresponding button. John is eventually taken to Roberta on the third floor, which is incorrect since the "troisième étage " corresponds to the fourth floor. In France, the "premiere étage" (first floor) is not the ground floor but the next one up.

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Quotes

Roberta: Where is Scharwenka?
Stephanie: On his neck!
Roberta: Oh, I see. Does he like it?
Stephanie: Not particularly. But, I don't hear him shouting for help!

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Connections

Featured in The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (1997)

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Soundtracks

Yesterdays
(1933) (uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
Performed by Irene Dunne

User Reviews

If you want to see real talent, glamor, beauty and grace, this movie is a "do not miss!"

I grew up in the 1940s, and my sister and I went to the movies all the time. I recalled the name Irene Dunne, but I had never seen her in a movie. Well, last night I did in "Roberta" (1935). What a voice, like a nightingale. Her rendition of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" was the most beautiful version that I have ever heard. I found myself wishing she would sing for at least another half hour.

There were also the exquisite, exciting, beautiful gowns and furs. My own mother was a real beauty in the l940s, and seeing the fashions of that time really made me wish I was a woman during that era rather than a child. Then too, I loved the sets, done predominantly in white and ever so glamorous!

As if that wasn't enough of a treat we had the exquisite team of Astaire and Rodgers. Their numbers were breathtaking, two bodies that moved as one, smooth, free-flowing, what grace! I found the storyline boring, but the talent and beauty that filled the screen sure made up for that.