The Merry Widow (1934)
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88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(537 ratings)
Ernst Lubitsch directs the 1934 musical comedy The Merry Widow, based on the 1905 operetta by Franz Lehar. In 1885, King Achmed (George Barbier) strives to protect the financial interests of his small, poor kingdom of Marshovia in Central Europe. When the kingdom's wealthiest widow, Sonia… More Ernst Lubitsch directs the 1934 musical comedy The Merry Widow, based on the 1905 operetta by Franz Lehar. In 1885, King Achmed (George Barbier) strives to protect the financial interests of his small, poor kingdom of Marshovia in Central Europe. When the kingdom's wealthiest widow, Sonia (Jeanette MacDonald), goes off to Paris, the king sends the village's greatest lover, Prince Danilo (Maurice Chevalier), off to marry her. The king demands that Danilo must romance and marry Sonia so she will return to the small kingdom with her riches. If he doesn't succeed, he'll be arrested. While in Paris, Danilo is distracted from his royal task when he finds himself in the company of many lovely Parisian women. Unbeknownst to him, one of the ladies is really Sonia pretending to be an escort girl. After a dance number and some songs, the Ambassador (Edward Everett Horton) announces that they are to be married. When Sonia refuses to marry Danilo, he is arrested and sent back to the small kingdom. Eventually Sonia returns to Marshovia, where she visits him in jail. She testifies on his behalf and they are finally married. The Merry Widow was filmed several other times, including the 1925 silent version directed by Erich Von Stroheim and the1952 version starring Fernando Lamas as Danilo. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ernst Lubitsch
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Nov 2, 1934 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Lubitsch's charming operetta, based on Franz Lehar's popular work, features great star turns by Maurice Chevalier and Jeannette MacDonald in their last teaming together.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The chemistry between stars Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald seems as tasty as a French pastry.
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
The Lubitsch touch is in full swing here. A gem.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Not Lubitsch's best, but still Lubitsch
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Cast
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Maurice Chevalier
as Prince Danilo
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Jeanette MacDonald
as Sonia
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Edward Everett Horton
as Ambassador Popoff
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Una Merkel
as Queen Dolorex
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George Barbier
as King Achmed
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Minna Gombell
as Marcelle
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Ruth Channing
as Lulu
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Sterling Holloway
as Mischka
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Donald Meek
as Valet
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Herman Bing
as Zizipoff
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Lona Andre
as Sonia's Maid
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Henry Armetta
as Turk
- Barbara Barondess
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George Baxter
as Ambassador
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Cosmo Kyrle Bellew
as Escort
- Sheila Bromley
- Tyler Brooke
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A.S. Byron
as Doorman
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Richard Carle
as Defense Attorney
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Nora Cecil
as Animal Woman
- Shirley Chambers
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Lane Chandler
as Soldier
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Claudia Coleman
as Wardrobe Mistress
- Gino Corrado
- Jill Dennett
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Paul Ellis
as Dancer
- Christian J. Frank
- Otto H. Fries
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Billy Gilbert
as Fat Lackey
- Dorothy Granger
- Roger Gray
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Winter Hall
as Priest
- Arthur Houseman
- Eleanor Hunt
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Perry Ivins
as Waiter
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Leonid Kinskey
as Shepherd
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Barbara Leonard
as Maid
- George J. Lewis
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Jacques Lory
as Goatman
- George Magrill
- John Merkyl
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John Miller
as Drunk
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Ferdinand Munier
as Jailer
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Wedgewood Nowell
as Lackey
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Albert Pollet
as Head Waiter
- Russell Powell
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Lucien Prival
as Adamovitch
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Jason Robards Sr.
as Arresting Officer
- Charles Requa
- Dewey Robinson
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Matty Roubert
as Newsboy
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Hector V. Sarno
as Gypsy Leader
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Rolfe Sedan
as Gabrielovitsch
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Evelyn Selbie
as Newspaper Woman
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Frank Sheridan
as Judge
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Akim Tamiroff
as Maxim's Manager
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Morgan Wallace
as Prosecuting Attorney
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Luana Walters
as Sonia's Maid
- Peggy Watts
- Dorothy Wilson
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Virginia Field
as Prisoner
- Dorothy Dehn
- Patricia Farley
- Caryl Lincoln
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Connie Lamont
as Maxim Girl
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Jan Rubini
as Violinist
