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The Affairs of Cellini

Play trailer Poster for The Affairs of Cellini Released Aug 24, 1934 1h 20m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 22% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Benvenuto Cellini (Fredric March) is a goldsmith, artist, womanizer and swashbuckler known throughout Florence, Italy. When he enters the royal palace of the Medicis, he instantly has eyes for the Duchess of Florence (Constance Bennett), who openly returns his ardor. The dithering, dim-witted Duke (Frank Morgan) barely notices because he's too besotted with an airhead model (Fay Wray). However, when Cellini gets too cocky, he suddenly finds himself flirting with execution.
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The Affairs of Cellini

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Otis Ferguson The New Republic The Affairs of Cellini is a humorous extravaganza that flops, partly because of what it tries to do and partly because of who does it. Jan 22, 2024 Full Review Zita Short InSession Film I would call this a considerably lighter political film as it doubles as a screwball comedy but it does have a lot to say about politics. Feb 7, 2023 Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine The picture is really a sort of comic opera, all surprise entrances and sudden exits, flights of not too serious emotion and violent but amusing deaths. Aug 1, 2019 Full Review Helen Brown Norden Vanity Fair It is so funny that you will probably have to see it twice, in order to catch the lines which were drowned out by your own raucous laughter the first time. May 31, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Gregory LaCava was more adept at directing melodramas and screwball comedies than historical epics, such as this one. Rated: C+ Jun 22, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (8) audience reviews
Audience Member Fredric March stars as the notorious sculptor Cellini, who, as the title suggests, has many affairs in the 90-minute movie. It's a little bit silly when you watch it, almost as if the movie might be a spoof of itself, when Freddie repeatedly seduces his conquests. So, if you're the mood to laugh, you can rent it and treat it like a spoof, and if you're in the mood for a drama in the 1600s, you can take it seriously. Frank Morgan plays against type-and was rewarded by an Oscar nomination-in this movie, as a cruel duke who doesn't bat an eyelash at using torture as a punishment. Frank's wife is Constance Bennett, and when Freddie visits the palace, it isn't long before she falls under her spell. That might not be the smartest move, seeing how much of a bad guy her husband is. . . This movie won't hurt you if you decide to rent it, but it also won't end up being your favorite. It's not Freddie's best performance. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review steve d I didn't think it was as clever as most. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I didn't have a great copy of this film to watch which always makes me somewhat distracted but my impression of the film is that this had promise without the impact that all those concerned would have liked. There are some truly funny moments but ultimately, we don't feel much attachment to the characters. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member The story of Cellini and infamous artist through out Florence and his ability to both stir and manipulate situations to his will. Staring Frank Morgan (Wizard from original Wizard of Oz) as the Duke of Florence & Fay Wray (from the original King Kong) these two somewhat hold the film together. A rather silly film that seemed ultimately pointless and trivial, however there some great costumes through out the film. A real so so sort of b-grade period comedy from the mid 30's...very dated. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Although this movie is extremely silly, there are many laughs throughout. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Silly nonsense that has no true period feel for the 16th century but is played for a light tone. It's pleasant enough in that highly polished early 30's studio style. Frank Morgan plays his usual charmingly befuddled dunderhead. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Affairs of Cellini

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Movie Info

Synopsis Benvenuto Cellini (Fredric March) is a goldsmith, artist, womanizer and swashbuckler known throughout Florence, Italy. When he enters the royal palace of the Medicis, he instantly has eyes for the Duchess of Florence (Constance Bennett), who openly returns his ardor. The dithering, dim-witted Duke (Frank Morgan) barely notices because he's too besotted with an airhead model (Fay Wray). However, when Cellini gets too cocky, he suddenly finds himself flirting with execution.
Director
Gregory La Cava
Producer
Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter
Bess Meredyth
Distributor
United Artists
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 24, 1934, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 20, 2014
Runtime
1h 20m
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