Anything recommended by both the BFI (British Film Institute) and the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die is definitely something I will want to watch, that is what I found with this film, directed by Rouben Mamoulian (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Queen Christina). Basically Parisian tailor Maurice Courtelin (Maurice Chevalier) is tired of extending courtesy to the Viscount Gilbert de Varèze (Charles Ruggles), who he learns is a deadbeat who never pays for the merchandise he acquires, he owes Maurice a large amount of money for tailoring work. The rest of the family of local aristocrats include family patriarch and Gilbert's uncle the Dukke d'Artelines (C. Aubrey Smith), his man-hungry niece Countess Valentine (Myrna Loy), and his other three years widowed niece Princess Jeanette (Jeanette MacDonald). The household also includes three aunts, and the Count de Savignac (Charles Butterworth) who is a somewhat unsatisfactory suitor, D'Artelines has been searching hopelessly to find Jeanette a new and suitable husband. Maurice decides to disguise himself as an aristocrat and travels to de Savignac's castle to collect the money owed to him, the Viscount gives him some of the money, who is desperate for his uncle not to know of his debts, he suggests he spend time at the château to give him more time until the money can be found. In the meantime, Maurice acquaints himself with the family, Gilbert introduces him as "Baron Courtelin", to hide the truth from everyone, Maurice is at first fearful of this scheme, but finds a reason to stay, he is infatuated with Jeanette. While staying at the castle, the Duke takes an immediate liking to Maurice and the rest of the family, Jeanette rejects his efforts to profess his love, he arouses the desire of Valentine, and slowly Jeanette succumbs to Maurice's charms. The Count discovers Maurice is a fake, he is given false information that he is traveling incognito for security reasons, but eventually Maurice's criticism of fashion and getting caught alone with with Jeanette force him to reveal his true identity. Despite her earlier promise to him, Jeanette recoils finding out that he is a commoner, the entire household is outraged, Maurice leaves, but as he is about the board the train, Jeanette realises her mistake and catches up to him on horseback. The train driver refuses to stop, but Jeanette manages to go ahead and stop in the middle of the track, forcing the train to stop, Maurice jumps out, and the two lovers embrace as the steam from the train wraps around them. Also starring Joseph Cawthorn as Dr. Armand de Fontinac, Robert Greig as Major Domo Flammand, Elizabeth Patterson as First Aunt, Ethel Griffies as Second Aunt and Blanche Friderici as Third Aunt. Chevalier is likable as the charming tailor, and MacDonald is a snobby but nice princess, it should be mentioned that this film was made before the Hays Code stopped sexual and suggestive material in films for a while, the story is just about simple enough to follow and the songs are catchy and sweet, especially "Isn't It Romantic?", "Lover", "Mimi" and the title song, overall it is a enjoyable classic musical comedy. Very good!
Review of Love Me Tonight
