Where to start? They took an earthy classic French face (Gribouille) & timidly translated it into faux Oscar Wildeian summer stock frillery. Brian Aherne becomes Raimu & Rita Cansino Hayworth becomes Michele Morgan. Glen Ford (14 years Aherne's junior) plays Aherne's son.
Aherne was about 38 when he made this, a handsome, debonair lightweight matinée idol (who allegedly was the object of Noel Coward's song, Mad About the Boy). Nice fellow, but a real travesty in this part. Whose fault? Probably the director, Alexander Korda, because the rest of the cast is just as bad, Irene Rich, Evelyn Keyes, Lloyd Corrigan (?).
What they forgot when they bought this property is farce is not just about manners & plot, it's about character & culture.
Ah well, Ford & Hayworth would grow up & make Gilda 6 years later. Same director!
Aherne was about 38 when he made this, a handsome, debonair lightweight matinée idol (who allegedly was the object of Noel Coward's song, Mad About the Boy). Nice fellow, but a real travesty in this part. Whose fault? Probably the director, Alexander Korda, because the rest of the cast is just as bad, Irene Rich, Evelyn Keyes, Lloyd Corrigan (?).
What they forgot when they bought this property is farce is not just about manners & plot, it's about character & culture.
Ah well, Ford & Hayworth would grow up & make Gilda 6 years later. Same director!