Love Me Tonight (1932) airing Monday night

[NoraCharles1934]

I know everyone around here's probably already seen this utterly-beguiling gem, but as it's a beloved personal favorite, I just wanted to point out that the Rouben Mamoulian-helmed musical is topping off the primetime line-up Monday evening.

 

Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald . . . tailor-as-Baron . . . Rodgers and Hart standards . . . Paris, Paramount . . . Myrna Loy reveling in pre-code fun . . . the best hunting sequence in all of filmdom . . .

 

Really what more could you ask for?

 

[Swithin]

It's one of the great musicals. I like the way the songs lead from one person to another -- Mamoulian was a cinema pioneer in many ways! "Isn't It Romantic" begins in Chevalier's tailor shop and travels via many characters to Jeanette MacDonald's castle. All the songs are like that -- I love "The Son of a Gun Is Nothing But a Tailor."

 

Years ago, a much older friend (he's 97 now) invited me to a dinner party and said bring a film to watch after dinner. One of the four at dinner was Millie Natwick. We had a lovely dinner, then watched the video I brought, Love Me Tonight. Beautiful, memorable evening. I took a cab home and dropped Millie at her flat on Sutton Place.

[DownGoesFrazier]

I don't believe any other musical did that---passing a song from one person to another.

[Sepiatone]

42nd STREET is one that comes to mind.

 

If "Love Me Tonight" is the one I'm thinking of, isn't it the one where Chevelier owns a tailor shop, and begins with Maurice standing outside his shop watching marathon runners go by when one of them breaks out of the crowd and goes into his shop? Turns out to be a friend of his in his underwear because some lady's husband came home early and he had to dodge out of a window...always cracks me up!

 

Sepiatone

[Swithin]

Chevalier does have a tailor shop, but I don't think the scene you describe is in the film.

[NoraCharles1934]

No, he's correct - Charlie Ruggles's Viscount does make his debut in the film when he emerges from a footrace in his BVDs. He drops into the shop to change into one of the many suits he's ordered. Really that's what propels the rest of the story into action - Maurice sets off to retrieve the money owed him and his fellow vendors when he learns the Viscount "never pays". That leads him to the chateau . . . and the Princess.

 

Another favorite sequence of mine is when the poor "sick" Jeanette is examined by her doctor. Apparently, this was one the instances that caused the censors to loose their insipid, hypocritical little minds. The song used was called "A Woman Needs Something Like That." I'm not sure whether it was cut down for its initial release or years later for a re-issue, but here's what remains today:

 

 

I always laugh when the doc, informed that there are no age-appropriate spousal prospects available to the Princess, is left to prescribe "Exercise - exercise, and exercise!" It reminds me of Rhett Butler telling Scarlett, "You need kissing badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how.? And to steal from Roger Ebert in his Great Movies article, "For ?kissed,? substitute the word you're thinking of."

 

By the way, that was a lovely story about your evening with your friends and Mildred Natwick. Thanks for sharing. I always think of her from The Trouble with Harry.

[NoraCharles1934]

Just wanted to say that I hope anyone who watched was feel'n the love themselves tonight - and really, how *gorgeous* is Myrna Loy?

 

[Sepiatone]

Thanks, Nora. I always thought that was a clever comic scene.

 

And no argument on Myrna.

 

Sepiatone

[lavenderblue19]

About as GORGEOUS as humanly possible Love, Love, Love Myrna Loy

[TomJH]

Love Me Tonight is probably my favourite musical of the '30s. I wonder how Ernst Lubitsch felt when he saw this delightful concoction clearly based on his own comedies of the recent past and saw that, if anything, director Rouben Mamoulian had created a superior film to his own efforts.

 

Marvelous direction and camerawork, infectious Rodgers and Hart songs, including the classic "Isn't It Romantic" and with a great cast of stars. I understand why some may regard Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald as "acquired tastes" but I think both are marvelously right for their roles in this film.

 

 

Everyone, of course, loves Myrna Loy and this role, too brief as it is, was still one of her best opportunities prior to the Thin Man stardom, a wonderful showcase for the lady's comedy finesse and timing.

 

I love that moment in which Charlie Ruggles, searching for a physician, encounters man-hungry Myrna in a room and asks her if she would go for a doctor.

 

"Sure," she replies, "Bring him in."

 

 

There are too many great moments in this film to select just one. However, I have to make reference to the film's climax, with Jeanette on horseback, racing after the train carrying Chevalier. It's a sexual role reversal, of course, with the woman chasing the man.

 

But what a brilliant series of shots and edits, from the train wheels to the horse's hooves, from the train's engine to the horse's nostrils. And then, finally, with Jeannette and horse passing the train, surging ahead briefly before planting herself proudly, defiantly on the tracks, a low angle shot of her facing the oncoming train which then screeches to a stop just before striking her.

 

Finally, there will always be a special place in my heart for any film allowing us to see and hear C. Aubrey Smith in his jammies singing "Mimi." This may well be the cutest that Sir C. Aubrey ever allowed himself to be on screen - the big pussycat.

 

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!

[NoraCharles1934]

Thanks for all the great observations, Tom.

 

This is one of those movies that instantly makes me smile. It's just too delicious.

 

Chevalier and MacDonald "acquired tastes"? - that's certainly a diplomatic way of putting it! No, in all honesty, I agree, but they're both utilized perfectly in this instance (and to my mind, also in Lubitsch's The Merry Widow two years later).

 

Another memorable sequence to be praised is the film's opening - with Paris, Paramount, slowly awakening with a medley of unlikely music. "No matter if it may be cold or wet or dry, each morning like a baby, Paris starts to cry!" All the more impressive when you recall that sound in films was still a relatively new innovation.

 

And C. Aubrey Smith's rendition of "Mimi"? Yes - priceless! Another censor-squabble this film apparently had involved Myrna and a low-cut nightgown. I believe it must have been from this part of movie, which explains why Valentine is the only prominent character we don't get a chorus from. Such a shame!

 

[TomJH]

I agree with you, NoraCharles. The Merry Widow I feel was the best of the Lubitsch-Chevalier-MacDonald musical comedies, almost in the same league as Love Me Tonight.

 

And, of course, you're right about the classic opening of the Mamoulian film. All the natural street sounds of Paris waking up in the morning done to rhythm. Marvelous! Mamoulian was a great early talkie innovator. It's a shame that the rest of his film career after the first few years of talkies was a bit disappointing in comparison to those early triumphs (though his 1940 Mark of Zorro is one of the great screen swashbucklers).

[Swithin]

So many little things to enjoy in the film. I love Cecil Cunningham's uncredited bit as the laundress, in the song "The Son of a Gun Is Nothing but a Tailor."

 

"...if I had known I would have tore

the buttons off his panties for

the son of a gun is nothing but a tailor!"

[Swithin]

Mamoulian's film Applause (1929) was innovative in a many ways. It was one of the first talkies to shoot on location (around Manhattan).

[NoraCharles1934]

The entire segment and accompanying indignant servants are a delight. From the chef -

 

"I've given indigestion to a president,

Ptomaine to a duke,

Imagine cooking pheasant for a guy who's just a peasant,

For the son-of-a-gun is nothing but a tailor!"

 

I know I'm gushing here, but I also must mention the wonderfully-suggestive interplay between Maurice and the princess before he sets about reworking her unflattering riding habit. Not knowing his true identity as a tailor, Jeanette can't imagine it:

 

-"Don't worry, Jeanette - we'll fix it . . . We'll make you a riding habit that will tame Solitude."

-"But how?"

-"The important thing is not to hurry."