THE SMILING LIEUTENANT (Paramount, 1931), directed by Ernst Lubitsch, adapted from "The Waltz Dream" by Leopold Jacobson and Felix Dormann, is a real sort-after re-discovery early screen musical starring the legendary entertainer and Frenchman, Maurice Chevalier. While successful upon its release and nominated for an Academy Award as Best Picture, it was only, until in recent years that, unlike other Chevalier releases during his Paramount period (1929-1933), particularly those opposite his most popular co-star, Jeanette MacDonald, including THE LOVE PARADE (1929), ONE HOUR WITH YOU (1932) and LOVE ME TONIGHT (1932), THE SMILING LIEUTENANT never surfaced on commercial or public television. More than thirty or forty years ago, it was considered a lost film with no print known to exist. And upon its discovery, it has been hailed as one of the lesser of the Chevalier-Lubitsch collaborations. Premiering on February 26, 2003, on Turner Classic Movies, in actuality, this is not where THE SMILING LIEUTENANT was first introduced to cable television. Prior to that, it aired on a then new cable channel called OXYGEN in September 2001. Due to its handful of commercial interruptions in a two hour time slot, it was hard to concentrate and fully comprehend as well as appreciate this rarely seen find. However, thanks to the commercial free TCM, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT can be seen in its full 88 minutes of glory. Having it currently readily available today, this should rank as one of the most enjoyable of the raunchy, pre-code production-era films.
In true Lubitsch fashion and continental flair, the story is set in Vienna, Austria, where Chevalier has himself some female trouble. Returning to military uniform along with backdrop sets resembling that of his earlier musical classic, THE LOVE PARADE, Chavelier stars as Nicholas Von Preyn, lieutenant of the first imperial guard regiment, known to others as Niki. Upon arising from his sleep following an unseen fling with a young blonde, Niki is approached by his fellow officer friend named Max (Charles Ruggles), a married man (which really doesn't matter to him) who is madly in love with Franzi (Claudette Colbert), a female violinist and leader of an all girls band working at a Beer Garden Cafe. Because of his maritial status and desperately wanting to meet Franzi, he asks Niki to accompany him, and once he becomes acquainted with Franzi, Niki can "take a walk." But the plan backfires when Franzi ignores Max and allows herself to be escorted home by Niki. Love blossoms. Some time later, Niki and his regiment receive orders to attend the arrival of the visiting King Adolph (George Barbier) and his daughter, Princess Anna (Miriam Hopkins) from Flausenthurm. Across the street in the crowd is Franzi, smiling and winking her eye at the young lieutenant, and while the limousine carrying the guests of honor is parading by, the princess mistakes Niki's twinkling eye and alluring smile for her, which actually was intended for Franzi. At first Anna is insulted, thinking the lieutenant was simply laughing at her. The newspaper headlines soon reads, "Royalty Insulted." But upon meeting him, Anna and the King immediately become flattered by him, and seeing that Anna is falling in love with the lieutenant, her father arranges for them to be married. Summoned to the palace, the marriage proves to be anything but wedded bliss, and a fair game of chess is a far from what one would expect for a couple on their honeymoon. Because Anna appears dull and lacking in beauty, husband Niki soon finds himself "stepping out" to be with Franzi, but faces a dilemma as to which woman he would rather keep.
The supporting cast includes: Elizabeth Patterson appearing briefly as as Baroness Von Schwedel; Hugh O'Connell as Niki's Orderly; Janet Reade as Lily; and Granville Bates in a bit as a bill collector. Making his first of several screen appearances opposite Chevalier, Charlie Ruggles, in spite of his limited screen time near the beginning of the story, adds fine humor to his risqué of wit. Another memorable scene features the face slapping showdown between the plain but youthful Hopkins and the sophisticated Colbert, climaxed with a crying feast.
While labeled a musical, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT has its limitations of songs, by which plot takes preference over tunes. With music and lyrics by Oscar Struss and Clifford Grey, songs include: "That's the Army" (sung by Maurice Chevalier); "Live for Today" (sung by Claudette Colbert); "Breakfast Table Love" (sung by Chevalier and Colbert); "Live for Today"/"I Like Him" (compiled in separate scenes as sung by Chevalier and Colbert, and Miriam Hopkins); "Jazz Up Your Lingerie" (sung by Colbert and Hopkins); and "That's the Army" (reprise sung by Chevalier). In spite the songs being unmemorable, the two that come off best are "Live for Today," and the lively "Jazz Up Your Lingerie." What's more interesting is not only some of the risqué lyrics ("With every bit of liver I start to quiver"), but finding Colbert (telling Hopkins: "Be a good girl") and Hopkins (responding, "I won't!") in rare form singing. In Chevalier tradition, as in THE LOVE PARADE and ONE HOUR WITH YOU, his singing solos are sung directly towards the camera.
According to sources, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT, which had been previously filmed in Germany as EIN WALZERTRAUM (1925) with Mady Christians and Willy Fritzch, also included a French language version filmed simultaneously with this production, each featuring the main leads of Chevalier, Colbert and Hopkins.
For a 1931 release, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT, except for several violin solos performed by Colbert, includes extensive use of underscoring, indicating that early talkies such as this did not actually play without some sort of underscoring to set the mood or pace. But in spite of its present age and 1930s fashions, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT should still hold up quite well. (***)
In true Lubitsch fashion and continental flair, the story is set in Vienna, Austria, where Chevalier has himself some female trouble. Returning to military uniform along with backdrop sets resembling that of his earlier musical classic, THE LOVE PARADE, Chavelier stars as Nicholas Von Preyn, lieutenant of the first imperial guard regiment, known to others as Niki. Upon arising from his sleep following an unseen fling with a young blonde, Niki is approached by his fellow officer friend named Max (Charles Ruggles), a married man (which really doesn't matter to him) who is madly in love with Franzi (Claudette Colbert), a female violinist and leader of an all girls band working at a Beer Garden Cafe. Because of his maritial status and desperately wanting to meet Franzi, he asks Niki to accompany him, and once he becomes acquainted with Franzi, Niki can "take a walk." But the plan backfires when Franzi ignores Max and allows herself to be escorted home by Niki. Love blossoms. Some time later, Niki and his regiment receive orders to attend the arrival of the visiting King Adolph (George Barbier) and his daughter, Princess Anna (Miriam Hopkins) from Flausenthurm. Across the street in the crowd is Franzi, smiling and winking her eye at the young lieutenant, and while the limousine carrying the guests of honor is parading by, the princess mistakes Niki's twinkling eye and alluring smile for her, which actually was intended for Franzi. At first Anna is insulted, thinking the lieutenant was simply laughing at her. The newspaper headlines soon reads, "Royalty Insulted." But upon meeting him, Anna and the King immediately become flattered by him, and seeing that Anna is falling in love with the lieutenant, her father arranges for them to be married. Summoned to the palace, the marriage proves to be anything but wedded bliss, and a fair game of chess is a far from what one would expect for a couple on their honeymoon. Because Anna appears dull and lacking in beauty, husband Niki soon finds himself "stepping out" to be with Franzi, but faces a dilemma as to which woman he would rather keep.
The supporting cast includes: Elizabeth Patterson appearing briefly as as Baroness Von Schwedel; Hugh O'Connell as Niki's Orderly; Janet Reade as Lily; and Granville Bates in a bit as a bill collector. Making his first of several screen appearances opposite Chevalier, Charlie Ruggles, in spite of his limited screen time near the beginning of the story, adds fine humor to his risqué of wit. Another memorable scene features the face slapping showdown between the plain but youthful Hopkins and the sophisticated Colbert, climaxed with a crying feast.
While labeled a musical, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT has its limitations of songs, by which plot takes preference over tunes. With music and lyrics by Oscar Struss and Clifford Grey, songs include: "That's the Army" (sung by Maurice Chevalier); "Live for Today" (sung by Claudette Colbert); "Breakfast Table Love" (sung by Chevalier and Colbert); "Live for Today"/"I Like Him" (compiled in separate scenes as sung by Chevalier and Colbert, and Miriam Hopkins); "Jazz Up Your Lingerie" (sung by Colbert and Hopkins); and "That's the Army" (reprise sung by Chevalier). In spite the songs being unmemorable, the two that come off best are "Live for Today," and the lively "Jazz Up Your Lingerie." What's more interesting is not only some of the risqué lyrics ("With every bit of liver I start to quiver"), but finding Colbert (telling Hopkins: "Be a good girl") and Hopkins (responding, "I won't!") in rare form singing. In Chevalier tradition, as in THE LOVE PARADE and ONE HOUR WITH YOU, his singing solos are sung directly towards the camera.
According to sources, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT, which had been previously filmed in Germany as EIN WALZERTRAUM (1925) with Mady Christians and Willy Fritzch, also included a French language version filmed simultaneously with this production, each featuring the main leads of Chevalier, Colbert and Hopkins.
For a 1931 release, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT, except for several violin solos performed by Colbert, includes extensive use of underscoring, indicating that early talkies such as this did not actually play without some sort of underscoring to set the mood or pace. But in spite of its present age and 1930s fashions, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT should still hold up quite well. (***)