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      The Smiling Lieutenant

      Released Aug 1, 1931 1h 28m Musical Comedy List
      88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 66% Audience Score 250+ Ratings A simple wink, intended by Austrian palace guard Lt. Nikolaus von Preyn (Maurice Chevalier) for girlfriend, Franzi (Claudette Colbert), is accidentally intercepted -- and misread -- by the visiting Princess Anna (Miriam Hopkins). As a result, the soldier has no choice but to marry the royal lady and move with her to the neighboring kingdom of Flausenthurm. His girlfriend follows to continue the romance and, subversively, give Princess Anna tips on how to keep her husband satisfied. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Variety Staff Variety The drought is in the disappointing Oscar Straus score of four numbers. Jul 6, 2010 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader It's quintessential Lubitsch in the way it suggests sexual dalliance with the brightening or darkening of a gas lamp outside a bedroom. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Mordaunt Hall New York Times Wit and melody swing through Maurice Chevalier's latest picture. Rated: 4/5 Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion Lubitsch's glissando rhythm is a thin veneer that never softens the essential cruelty of the story Sep 25, 2009 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Charming lightweight musical. Rated: B- Feb 18, 2008 Full Review TV Guide The players are so good, the dialogue (by Lubitsch, Ernest Vajda and Samson Raphaelson) so witty, and the direction so skillful that no one minds the logic lapses. Rated: 4.5/5 Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (47) audience reviews
      Louisa E I found this movie a little distasteful. The plot made me loathe the male lead (Chevalier), which I'm sure was not the point of the movie. The moral of the story seemed to be that to be loveable, you need to change who you are to be modern and suggestive. It just felt a tad misogynistic. Chevalier movies seem to have such similar sets and roles that in feels like a pre-cursor to the way Elvis' movies were made. The acting was ok but not memorable. In fact, I had seen this movie before but the only way I could tell is that I'd rated it on IMDB as I had no recollection of the film at all! 6.2/10 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/09/23 Full Review Audience Member funny and stupid film with a silly plot. kind of promiscuous for the time period but i think it was before the sensors came into play. def dated, but plays up the popularity of jazz and women being modern at the time. meh wouldnt bother unless you are bored Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review peter w Probably a good diversion for Depression-era audiences with a setting in opulent Vienna where Max and Niki share a common interested in Franzie who conducts an all-girl orchestra. Niki's smile to Franzi is misconstrued as a smile to the sexually-repressed Princess Annas. A farce ensues with a resolution when Franzi sings "Jazz up your Lingerie." Anna's repressions are released awakening renewed attraction from Niki. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This was Paramount's biggest grosser of 1931. Technically it is the most accomplished of Lubitsch's early sound films. This film became known as the, "Lubitsch Touch." The elegant u se of the Superjoke. You had a joke, you felt satisfied, and then there was one more big joke on top of it. The joke you didn't expect. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review steve d Not much here but the cast is as good as ever. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Tom M Chevalier sweet talks his way through this very funny movie. Colbert is good but Hopkins is funnier and (in the last 10 minutes) a lot sexier ! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/21 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Smiling Lieutenant

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis A simple wink, intended by Austrian palace guard Lt. Nikolaus von Preyn (Maurice Chevalier) for girlfriend, Franzi (Claudette Colbert), is accidentally intercepted -- and misread -- by the visiting Princess Anna (Miriam Hopkins). As a result, the soldier has no choice but to marry the royal lady and move with her to the neighboring kingdom of Flausenthurm. His girlfriend follows to continue the romance and, subversively, give Princess Anna tips on how to keep her husband satisfied.
      Director
      Ernst Lubitsch
      Distributor
      Paramount Pictures
      Production Co
      Paramount
      Genre
      Musical, Comedy
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Aug 1, 1931, Original
      Runtime
      1h 28m