The Love Parade (1929)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(335 ratings)

Director Ernst Lubitsch's first talking picture, The Love Parade was a witty souffle about a royal "marriage of state." Jeanette MacDonald, the queen of Sylvania, is required to take a husband. Maurice Chevalier is a highborn Sylvanian diplomat called back to his country due to his amorous… More Director Ernst Lubitsch's first talking picture, The Love Parade was a witty souffle about a royal "marriage of state." Jeanette MacDonald, the queen of Sylvania, is required to take a husband. Maurice Chevalier is a highborn Sylvanian diplomat called back to his country due to his amorous escapades. It is arranged for Chevalier to marry MacDonald, but though he is ostensibly the "king" of the boudoir, he is not allowed to participate in any affairs of state. Gradually the royal protocol erodes the marriage, as the formerly footloose Chevalier bristles at being a mere consort. After numerous complications and misunderstandings, Chevalier asserts his authority over the secretly willing MacDonald. Counterpointing the main plot is the backstairs romance of servants Lupino Lane and Lillian Roth, who, like the stars, get to cut loose in the occasional musical number. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Ernst Lubitsch
Written By: Guy Bolton, Jules Chancel, Ernest Vajda
Genres: Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 19, 1929 Wide
On DVD: Feb 12, 2008

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
It's a fine, near-grand entertainment.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Made before the production code was inflicted, the film is rife with Lubitschian innuendo.
David Cairns, Senses of Cinema
Combining the Ruritanian settings and aristocratic glamour of operetta with the lightness of revue, the film takes musical cinema out of the Broadway theatres and into a romanticised vision of the world.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Students of film lore will find much to enjoy in The Love Parade.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Lubistch's charming film, boasting a grand performance from Maurice Chevalier, was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The pic proved extremely popular.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

lubitsch's first sound film and the first hollywood musical with integrated songs, it's delightful to watch and remarkably modern for 1929. the gender swap and 'battle of the sexes' themes would soon become de rigueur and the film's stars, chevalier and… More
lubitsch's first sound film and the first hollywood musical with integrated songs, it's delightful to watch and remarkably modern for 1929. the gender swap and 'battle of the sexes' themes would soon become de rigueur and the film's stars, chevalier and jeanette macdonald would have long careers in hollywood musicals
AJ V

A nice musical, pretty funny, especially towards the end, but it reminds me of The Taming of the Shrew a bit. Anyway, it's a fun musical.
Tom S

I was impressed by Jacques the Butler's acrobatics. "Let's be common--and do it again."