The Flame of New Orleans (1941)

In old New Orleans, a beautiful adventuress juggles the attentions of a rich banker and a dashing sea captain.

Director:

René Clair (as Rene Clair)

Writer:

Norman Krasna

Stars:

Marlene Dietrich, Bruce Cabot, Roland Young

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlene Dietrich	...	Claire Ledeux
Bruce Cabot	...	Robert LaTour
Roland Young	...	Charles Giraud
Mischa Auer	...	Zolotov
Andy Devine	...	1st Sailor
Frank Jenks	...	2nd Sailor
Eddie Quillan	...	3rd Sailor
Laura Hope Crews	...	Auntie
Franklin Pangborn	...	Bellows
Theresa Harris	...	Clementine
Clarence Muse	...	Samuel
Melville Cooper	...	Brother-in-Law
Anne Revere	...	Sister
Bob Evans	...	William
Emily Fitzroy	...	Cousin

Storyline

French farce comes to the New World in 1840 as Claire Ledoux convinces the middle-aged banker who is her fiance that she is two different women -- a deception made necessary by the arrival of a man acquainted with the swath she cut across Europe. Giraud has been about to foreclose on a $150 loan made to a sea captain who needed the funds to court Claire. Get Claire's "cousin" out of New Orleans before the wedding, Giraud tells the sea captain and the debt will be paid.

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Plot Keywords:

brandy | confidence artist | ship | theater | tightrope walker | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Universal was testing Maria Montez just in case Marlene Dietrich left the film.

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Connections

Featured in Tellement Gay! Homosexualité et pop culture: Inside (2015)

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Soundtracks

Salt o' the Sea
Music by Charles Previn
Lyrics by Samuel Lerner (as Sam Lerner)
Sung by Andy Devine (uncredited), Frank Jenks (uncredited), Eddie Quillan (uncredited) and Joe Devlin (uncredited)

User Reviews

Gold-digger of fire

Marlene Dietrich, ever since seeing her for the first time in the brilliant 'Witness for the Prosecution' (where she gives a very memorable performance), was a very engaging actress and performer. Especially in the 30s, where she was in a lot of films that played to her strengths. Also like some of Rene Clair's other films, my personal favourite (and my first watched film of his) being one of the best versions of one of Agatha Christie's best books 'And Then There Were None'.

'The Flame of New Orleans' is worth seeing, if more a one-time watch than repeated viewings worthy. Dietrich did much better before and since, though she is not disgraced here, and the same goes for Clair who doesn't come off too badly still either. There are a good deal of good things here, including Dietrich, but some quite serious drawbacks that take away from the enjoyment somewhat. Making for an inoffensive and above average if not much more than that film.

Admittedly the story can be a little over-complicated and in other places it can be quite flimsy, the central triangle could have done with more personality perhaps too and the ending can be seen from miles off.

Did find Andy Devine a bit wearing at times and his comedy overdone.

However, 'The Flame of New Orleans' benefits greatly from classy production values, the sets and production design being particularly great. The music is immensely appealing to listen to and fits the film's frothy nature very nicely. The script is gently witty, charmingly frothy and has a lively energy. While the story can easily be criticised, at least to me it wasn't dull and it has a genuine charm underneath all the froth.

Clair's direction has the right lightness of touch, and doesn't get pedestrian. Furthermore, Dietrich is luminous and brings a lot of grace and verve to the lead role. Roland Young and particularly Bruce Cabot make the most of their fairly sketchy characters, having quite nice chemistry with Dietrich. The rest of the cast do good jobs, with particularly amusing turns from Theresa Harris and Mischa Auer.

Altogether, good frothy fun though with not everything working. 7/10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

La belle ensorceleuse

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1