The Merry Widow ***** (1934, Jeanette MacDonald, Maurice Chevalier, Edward Everett Horton, Una Merkel) – Classic Movie Review 5776

Director Ernst Lubitsch’s 1934 MGM version of Franz Lehar’s famous operetta remakes a famous 1925 silent original The Merry Widow directed by Erich von Stroheim.

It is an extravagant and effervescent delight, with the charming team of Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier both on top form as the genteel wealthy widow Sonia and a teasingly naughty Count Danilo.

There is delightful star support too from Edward Everett Horton as the ambassador, Una Merkel (who also appeared in a different role in the 1952 Lana Turner remake of The Merry Widow) as Queen Dolores, and George Barbier as the King of the small kingdom of Marshovia.

It may be ancient, but it is undiminished by old father time, which has not tarnished the music and performances.

Cedric Gibbons and Fredric Hope won the 1935 Oscar for Best Art Direction.

It is based on the oeretta Die Lustige Witwe by Franz Lehar, with new lyrics which are mainly by Lorenz Hart but also by Gus Kahn and Richard Rodgers.

Also in the cast are Donald Meek, Sterling Holloway, Shirley Ross, Minna Gombell, Herman Bing, Henry Armetta, Barbara Leonard and Ruth Channing.

It runs 100 minutes, is written by Samson Raphaelson and Ernst Vajda, is shot in black and white by Oliver T Marsh, and produced by Irving Thalberg.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5776

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