The Merry Widow (1934)

Director Ernst Lubitsch's last collaboration with Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald!It's an entertaining tale about a womanizing Count (Chevalier, of course) who is "ordered" to court a rich widow (MacDonald), that pays more than 50% of the taxes in the small country of Marshovia, so that she won't leave the country.When Chevalier's character is caught in the Queen's (Una Merkel) bedroom, the King (George Barbier) ignores it because of the importance of the mission.But the main comic element stems from the fact that Chevalier's character has fallen in love with Fifi, who unbeknownst to him is actually the widow Sonia (MacDonald) trying to find happiness in the Paris nightclub Maxime's, before he must undertake his mission.Excellent support provided by the always reliable Edward Everett Horton; Sterling Holloway also appears. Songs sung by both leads with lyrics by Lorenz Hart (of Rodgers & Hart, before Rodgers & Hammerstein).Cedric Gibbons shared one of his many Oscars with Frederic Hope (his only statuette) for Art Direction.

Merry Widow, The (1934)*** (out of 4) MGM remake of their 1925 film about a small country who needs their biggest tax-payer, the widow Madame Sonia (Jeanette MacDonald) to return so the King (George Barbier) and Queen (Una Merkel) decide to have a playboy (Maurice Chevalier) try to prevent her from marrying anyone else and taking her money with her. Based on the famous opera, this has very little to do with the 1925 version and outside of the source material, the two films have very little in common. Whereas the 1925 version was rather dark and dramatic, this one here, with Lubitsch behind the camera, is all music, charm and comedy. I can't say that I was really bowled over by this film and I never really got caught up in the story but it was pleasant enough for a single viewing. I think what really keeps this film moving as much as it does is the style that Lubitsch brings to the project. There were several sequences where the comedy would go off the normal path and deliver something more over the top and these moments were certainly the most memorable. One example would be when Chevalier gets into a slapping match and when the two start hugging, the hugs are so fast and over the top that you can't help but smile. Another sequence deals with three people sitting in a room trying to pretend to be friendly by making up some fake dialogue to fool those who might be listening in. MacDonald is pretty good in her role even though I didn't care too much for her singing. Chevalier fits his part perfectly and the two have some nice chemistry even if they apparently hated working with one another. The set design is another major plus as is the cinematography. I do wish the story itself had grabbed me a bit more but it's still a pleasant little gem.

MGM's second version of 'The Merry Widow', this time using the music of Lehar's operetta and starring Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier in the roles previously filled by Mae Murray and John Gilbert in the silent movie.Jeanette MacDonald is a revelation here if you've only seen her in the films which teamed her with Nelson Eddy from 1935 and 1942. Her Sonia is sparky, flirty, and naughty, and naturally in beautiful voice as ever. Maurice Chevalier brings his considerable Gallic charm to the role of Count Danillo, while familiar character faces of the period flesh out the supporting cast (Edward Everett Horton, Donald Meek, Una Merkel, Sterling Holloway).The film looks sumptuous, with beautiful sets and striking black and white photography. Definitely one of the key musicals of the 1930s.

Interesting treatment of Lehar's "Merry Widow", almost 30 years after "Die Lustige Witwe" premiered in Vienna. There were many versions of The Merry Widow but this particular story is all jumbled up from the original. It's supposed to open in Paris but instead, we're in Marshovia which gives us a very slow opening. The English translation is by the screenplay writers, Vajda and Raphaelson and the lyrics are by Rodgers and Hart. Don't expect a true-to-the-original story. This story adaptation is okay although the original is charming by itself. However, the actors are very good and funny. The biggest song of the original, "Vilja", is very out of place right at the beginning and seems to have lost its charm by its placement. The widow of the original story is much more innocent - they cast her as a bit strident here. However, it is nice to see a movie that is pre-code. The costumes and the sets are sumptuous and beautiful. Chevalier and MacDonald are very good and Edward Everett Horton is a thorough delight.