Universal was a second-tier studio in the 1930s, and this 1933 film has a quality that reflects how it lagged behind the major studios of the day. This is not just in the technical production, but in the screenplay, directing and sets. "By Candlelight" is adapted from their Austrian play, "Candle Light," by writers Siegfried Geyer and Karl Farkas. It is a look at a time in the life of a fictitious European prince, Alfred von Rommer, who is a womanizer, and his butler, Josef, who idolizes and tries to emulate his master.
The movie opens with Josef reading a book by or about Casanova. It may have been his autobiography. Anyway, that short glimpse is a heads- up of what is to follow. Josef is a loyal and trusted servant who wants to seduce women as does his master. But, when he encounters Marie, he falls in love with her. This is unlike his master's method of having an affair with a married woman and then moving on to another.
The married women we see here all are very attractive younger women married to old codgers. One suspects they were gold-diggers and therefore not to be pitied for having been taken advantage of by Prince Alfred, the Casanova. More likely, those sort of trysts were mutual interests just in and of themselves. I make this observation only to suggest that Casanova's exploits likely were not of innocent women married to devoted men in happy marriages, but to women who perhaps were as much on the prowl as was he.
So, the film has a mildly amusing plot. The cast are up to their tasks. I don't think Paul Lukas was miscast, although his befuddlement at times seems overly done, considering that he supposedly has learned from experiences in watching and abetting the prince in his escapades.
Nils Asther gives the finest performance in this film as Prince Alfred. Elissa Landi is very good as Marie. This talented actress has only 33 movies to her credit, including some very good starring roles. She quit acting at age 38 and wrote novels until she died of cancer at age 43 in 1948.
"By Candlelight" had the potential to be a much better film than it is. Again, the studio shortcomings are the culprit. The worst thing about this movie that almost had me turn it off a few times is the music. The score is heavy and leaden, and the volume is so loud that it distracts from the dialog. This isn't just once but throughout much of the film. Where were the producer, director and film editors when this was being put together? The film editing seems a little bit choppy, and the directing is weak. The film uses some nice angles for shooting scenes, but then we have some instances of stilted delivery by actors – especially Lukas. It's as though the clapboard has just set up another take and the actors count three before beginning.
Similar films by the major studios of the day showed considerably better production values. Still, this film is an interesting look at some lesser known, but very good actors of the past. Just be forewarned about the very high volume of the heavy musical score.
The movie opens with Josef reading a book by or about Casanova. It may have been his autobiography. Anyway, that short glimpse is a heads- up of what is to follow. Josef is a loyal and trusted servant who wants to seduce women as does his master. But, when he encounters Marie, he falls in love with her. This is unlike his master's method of having an affair with a married woman and then moving on to another.
The married women we see here all are very attractive younger women married to old codgers. One suspects they were gold-diggers and therefore not to be pitied for having been taken advantage of by Prince Alfred, the Casanova. More likely, those sort of trysts were mutual interests just in and of themselves. I make this observation only to suggest that Casanova's exploits likely were not of innocent women married to devoted men in happy marriages, but to women who perhaps were as much on the prowl as was he.
So, the film has a mildly amusing plot. The cast are up to their tasks. I don't think Paul Lukas was miscast, although his befuddlement at times seems overly done, considering that he supposedly has learned from experiences in watching and abetting the prince in his escapades.
Nils Asther gives the finest performance in this film as Prince Alfred. Elissa Landi is very good as Marie. This talented actress has only 33 movies to her credit, including some very good starring roles. She quit acting at age 38 and wrote novels until she died of cancer at age 43 in 1948.
"By Candlelight" had the potential to be a much better film than it is. Again, the studio shortcomings are the culprit. The worst thing about this movie that almost had me turn it off a few times is the music. The score is heavy and leaden, and the volume is so loud that it distracts from the dialog. This isn't just once but throughout much of the film. Where were the producer, director and film editors when this was being put together? The film editing seems a little bit choppy, and the directing is weak. The film uses some nice angles for shooting scenes, but then we have some instances of stilted delivery by actors – especially Lukas. It's as though the clapboard has just set up another take and the actors count three before beginning.
Similar films by the major studios of the day showed considerably better production values. Still, this film is an interesting look at some lesser known, but very good actors of the past. Just be forewarned about the very high volume of the heavy musical score.