Thursday, March 31, 2011

Isn't it romantic?


I passed a lovely hour and a half this morning watching Love Me Tonight (1932) while waiting for the internet to get fixed. I enjoyed it and will definitely look into more of the Jeanette MacDonald/Maurice Chevalier team-ups. Jeanette MacDonald is not my favorite actress ever - not that I dislike her, really, but she doesn't really do much for me. But I do like Maurice Chevalier. I like his persona. And I think they made a good pair, at least from the two movies I've seen of them (this one and The Merry Widow (1934)). By the way, does anyone else think of this scene when they think of Chevalier? I've been humming that song all day!

I've been intrigued by this movie and wanting to see it for a while, primarily because of this picture:


I kept imagining the scene to be similar to this one in Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942). It wasn't. It was more like this


but that's okay too!

I've been introduced to Chevalier through films like In Search of the Castaways and Gigi so it always surprises me a little bit to see him in romantic roles. I like him in romantic roles because, to me, he's rather ordinary looking and I like it when leads look like they could be normal people. I also think it's funny, the idea of women going crazy over him just because he's French. It's amazing how powerful the accent is, oui?

Which brings me to a poll, do you prefer Maurice Chevalier as a leading lad or as a character actor? His is probably one of the most graceful transitions in movie history, which is one of the reasons I like him so much. It can't be easy to switch from a romantic interest to a quirky side character but he did it very successfully. But my favorite part about the movie was not Maurice Chevalier - my favorite part was Myra Loy.


I'm currently reading Ms. Loy's autobiography so she's on my mind. So, imagine my surprise when I see her name in the credits! And was she a delight! I already love her as Nora Charles - her various roles as wisecracking, sexy, elegant leading ladies are notable, to say the least. But, while the one time Queen of Hollywood shone in the spotlight, she really seems to revel in the supporting role. Myrna Loy always seems to be having fun, but in here she has no restrictions as the perfect wife. I love it! I only wish she were in it more often.



Do you know of any other movies where Myrna Loy gets to steal the show from the leads because I'd love to see it!


Photos taken from here, here, here, and here.

2 comments:

  1. Love, love, love Myrna and love her autobiography. Will have to think if there are other films where she outshines like this, not sure if there are any with the same jeanette macdonald backstory. ;)

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete

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