feaito Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 I had hopes for this film, but my expectations were surpassed. I had the luck of meeting a guy who owns a taped (from AMC, when it was good) version of this wonderful, sophisticated, witty film and he copied it for me on a DVD-R (acceptable quality, considering the source). This film must be released on DVD, as "Love Me Tonight" finally found its way to that format. "Love Me Tonight" is undoubtedly a masterpiece, a "landmark" film, but "One Hour With You" is just as good! This film is a delightful, tongue-in cheek, marriage-farce, which is a remake of a Lubitsch Silent named "The Marriage Circle" (1924) with Florence Vidor, Adolphe Menjou, Monte Blue and Marie Prevost. The principal players of this joyous farce are Jeanette MacDonald, Maurice Chevalier (as husband and wife), Genevieve Tobin, Roland Young (as husband and wife too) and Charles Ruggles (who looked so much alike Roland Young, that I got all mixed-up, while watching the film). Jeanette is married to Maurice and they're very, very happy, they live in Paris...he is a doctor, by the way...but then Genevieve Tobin, who plays Jeanette's best friend from Lausanne (in Switzerland, I belive) and who is married to Roland Young (a professor), goes to visit Jeanette and the problems begin, 'cos she's flirtatious to the hoot and is very much attracted to Maurice, who rejects her with no result (the lady keeps insisting). Charlie Ruggles is Maurice's best friend and deeply in love with Jeanette, and keeps chasing her, in spite that he was best man at their wedding and that he's best pals with Chevalier. In all, a very sophisticated, continental frou-frou...the kind of which could be made before the Production Code was enforced. Tobin is an engaging comedienne, delightful in her mischievous role! A joy to behold...those flirting eyes of hers! The Opening scene in which Paris' Chief of Police (George Barbier I think) talks about Paris in spring and what happens in the Parks... is greatly done...skilled piece of filming... There's another scene in which Charlie Ruggles is all dressed up as Romeo for a party given by Jeanette, and chatting with her over the phone, he realizes it's not a Costume Party! And then, he tells his butler why did he tell him it was a Costume Party and the butler answers something like Because I wanted to see you in tights or I fancied to see you in tights. TCMprogrammer I hope that you guys can lease this film, just as you did with "Smiling Lieutenant" and "Love Me Tonight"...'cos it's a joy from the beginning to the end... and I love the way in which Chevalier, as in most of his films, keeps addressing the audience, looking right in front of the camera! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moviejoe79 Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 Fernando, thank you for this great review! I've never seen this film but I've heard about it. And hopefully TCM will get it someday. And thanks for all of the great Pre-Code reviews that you've been doing for us lately. They're very informative and I love reading them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted April 6, 2005 Author Share Posted April 6, 2005 Welcome Joe it's my pleasure to share my thoughts about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmcki76058 Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 This movie is my favorite pre MGM movie starring Jeanette MacDonald. She has wonderful comedic timing in it. A definite must see for anyone who loves musical comedies or laughing for 2 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 and was just overwhelmed with how witty and continental it was, the perfect frothy comedy. I had seen it once before, but it has been quite a few years, and TCM's version, not being chopped up as on commercial channels, was such a joy. It was great seeing Jeanette as a more comedic talent, instead of so sacchariney, as she is sometimes expected to be in those Nelson Eddy vehicles. I don't know who I like better, Charley Ruggles or Roland Young, but they both have such cute personalities on screen, and Ruggles with Mary Boland makes for the screen's funniest couple. Marvelous review of this film, and thanks for posting it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Welcome Fuster and I did not know that TCM had already aired this film, that's good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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