Folies Bergère (1935)

The first of three versions of this story, "Folies Bergere" is a lavish musical set in two worlds of French high society-nightclubs and the aristocracy with Maurice Chevalier outstanding in a dual role of a wealthy Baron and his look-alike nightclub performer who often parodies the baron in his act. Chevalier gets two leading ladies here, both lovely yet completely different. Merle Oberon is the sophisticated baroness often neglected by the Baron for business, while the simpler Ann Sothern is the performer's girlfriend and partner. There are two versions of the 1935 film, this American version and another in French, where Chevalier had two other leading ladies replacing his American co-stars here. It is amazing that since both films were made simultaneously, it doesn't show in Chevalier's performance, which is fresh, filled with energy and pizazz.This can easily be compared to "The Prisoner of Zenda" and "The Prince and the Pauper", also stories involving a look-alike taking over a member of the nobility. Chevalier has several memorable production numbers: "Rhythm of the Raindrops" is a storm set production number where a ramp lights up like lightening as the dancers parade with umbrellas, and "Singing a Happy Song" features a slew of straw hats that range from regular size to enormous (the chorus girls even dance on them in kaleidoscopic fashion), Chevalier's best known trademark. This helped the movie win the dance direction Academy Award over Busby Berkley's classic "Lullaby of Broadway" (from "Gold Diggers of 1935").Merle Oberon's unpretentious lady of nobility has a smile with a sly yet quiet sense of humor, while Sothern is perky, yet sweet and not common. They manage to instill likability into their performances, being much more than window dressing for the obviously focused Chevalier. This isn't as well known as it should be, but not as obscure as some other worthy musicals with lavish production numbers (1933's "Sitting Pretty" and "Moonlight and Pretzels" come to mind as titles worthy of more popularity than they have) yet why this one has never been released commerically on home video is a mystery in itself.

A double role for Maurice Chevalier here, as a performer at the Folies Bergeres plus a rich Baron he impersonates as part of his act. When misfortune hits the Baron, the performer finds an off-stage assignment which can only lead to fun for him and the audience.Great musical numbers (especially Rhythm of the Rain and the finale with straw hats), strong casting (Ann Southern, Merle Oberon, and the hilarious Eric Blore), and a mixed identity plot which moves along with class and verve, 'Folies Bergere' is an extremely enjoyable example of Hollywood's 1930s flirtation with Europe.Chevalier's last US role for more than a decade is perfect for him, and the dual roles showcase his acting skills as well as providing lots of chances for that old Gallic charm.

In the early to mid 1930s, Maurice Chevalier made some exceptional American films such as LOVE ME TONIGHT and THE MERRY WIDOW. While I usually am not a fan of Jeanette MacDonald films, his presence elevated them to great heights thanks to his on screen personality and lovely singing voice. While this film is fun and is well worth seeing, it is clearly several steps below these other films in quality--mostly because the script is a tad silly. The main idea is a giant cliché. The audience is supposed to believe that there are two men who are unrelated who look and talk exactly alike. While such an idea worked pretty well in THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER and THE PRISONER OF ZENDA, here the writing wasn't good enough to enable many audience members to accept this idea--especially because the two are so exact that even a wife cannot tell the difference! If you can ignore the central idea as well as the film going on a bit too long and having too many Busby Berkeley-style dance numbers, you are left with a film that is still worth your time and is a little better than your standard time-passer.

The Fox Movie Channel showed all three versions of this story today starting with "That Night In Rio" then "On The Riviera" and ending with "Folies Bergere" I live Danny Kaye and Don Ameche so I won't pick a favorite I just like the idea of seeing different versions of the same film all at once.I also love old movies so this one was enjoyable too. Great musical numbers.No one misses the old movie houses more than me it's just not the same watching the films from the 30's,40's and 50's etc on VHS or DVD.My wish would be to have a bunch of same titled movies run on the same day in an old theatre and then turn up the lights and talk about them.This one is a great start.