"The Night is Young" from 1935 is Ramon Novarro's last film at MGM. His costar was a very popular British performer into her nineties, Evelyn Laye. Una Merkel, Rosalind Russell, and Edward Everett Horton costarred -- you'll recognize the whole cast.
Novarro plays an Archduke whose marriage has been arranged to one Princess Matilda; however, he loves another -- Countess Rafay (Russell), but his uncle hates her family.
Gustl, as he's called, can sow the wild oats before marrying, but Emperor Franz Josef has to approve and she has to be someone not in the royal circle.
Gustl claims love for a ballerina, Lisl Gluck (Laye). She's in love with the ballet company's piano accompanist (Donald Cook),so when she finds out she's just to be a blind, she's fine with it. In return, he will produce her boyfriend's ballet.
Well, we all know what happens.
Unlike someone else on this board, I wasn't knocked out by the music or, frankly, the singing. Novarro is very charming and dashing, and Laye delightful. There is good acting all around. I'm just not crazy about some of these earlier musicals, even if this music is by Romberg. Perhaps if I liked the singing more...oh, well. This may be just the ticket for you. It's a very sweet story.
Novarro plays an Archduke whose marriage has been arranged to one Princess Matilda; however, he loves another -- Countess Rafay (Russell), but his uncle hates her family.
Gustl, as he's called, can sow the wild oats before marrying, but Emperor Franz Josef has to approve and she has to be someone not in the royal circle.
Gustl claims love for a ballerina, Lisl Gluck (Laye). She's in love with the ballet company's piano accompanist (Donald Cook),so when she finds out she's just to be a blind, she's fine with it. In return, he will produce her boyfriend's ballet.
Well, we all know what happens.
Unlike someone else on this board, I wasn't knocked out by the music or, frankly, the singing. Novarro is very charming and dashing, and Laye delightful. There is good acting all around. I'm just not crazy about some of these earlier musicals, even if this music is by Romberg. Perhaps if I liked the singing more...oh, well. This may be just the ticket for you. It's a very sweet story.