Monte Carlo

When I realized this was a musical I almost cried 😭 but I had to see it through. I love Ernst Lubitschs work, it’s so silly and easy to enjoy. I didn’t expect to like this that much but it was so cute

When I realized this was a musical I almost cried 😭 but I had to see it through. I love Ernst Lubitschs work, it’s so silly and easy to enjoy. I didn’t expect to like this that much but it was so cute

I am way too charmed by these Lubitsch musicals, even when it's a lesser one like this I'm just having such a pleasantly charming time. Also, "Wait, is this fucking play about us?" but in 1930.

I am way too charmed by these Lubitsch musicals, even when it's a lesser one like this I'm just having such a pleasantly charming time. Also, "Wait, is this fucking play about us?" but in 1930.

One of the first musicals ever made, and the sophistication here shocks me. Something like the train sequence, where a musical number is given 3 specific interweaving levels, wouldn’t be done again until the party scene of Meet Me in St Louis (at least as far as I’m aware). That’s how ahead of his time Lubitsch already is here. This film proves that genius creative beats an advanced time period.

The rest of the film, it’s alright. The script and songs are competent, but not aren’t nearly as sharp as Smiling Lieutenant or Merry Widow. Jeannette McDonald is a bad opera singer and dreadful actress, and a young Jack Buchanan (of The Band Wagon fame) sings well but doesn’t work as a romantic lead. The plot is charming and light-hearted in that specifically operatic way, but outside of Lubitsch’s mastery there isn’t much to write home about here.

Musicals Ranked

One of the first musicals ever made, and the sophistication here shocks me. Something like the train sequence, where a musical number is given 3 specific interweaving levels, wouldn’t be done again until the party scene of Meet Me in St Louis (at least as far as I’m aware). That’s how ahead of his time Lubitsch already is here. This film proves that genius creative beats an advanced time period.

The rest of the film, it’s alright. The script and songs are competent, but not aren’t nearly as sharp as Smiling Lieutenant or Merry Widow. Jeannette McDonald is a bad opera singer and dreadful actress, and a young Jack Buchanan (of The Band Wagon fame) sings well but doesn’t work as a romantic lead. The plot is charming and light-hearted in that specifically operatic way, but outside of Lubitsch’s mastery there isn’t much to write home about here.

Musicals Ranked

Much more entertaining than The Love Parade. Liked the silly characters and music.

Much more entertaining than The Love Parade. Liked the silly characters and music.

Otto van Leiberham is the original sugar daddy

Otto van Leiberham is the original sugar daddy