What it’s about
Maurice, a struggling Parisian tailor (Chevalier), travels to a deadbeat aristocrat’s estate to collect on an unpaid bill. On the way, he encounters a beautiful woman (MacDonald) with whom he falls immediately in love. Once at the estate, he sees her again and to get properly acquainted, impersonates a noble. Can Maurice bring off this elaborate ruse and win the heart of a princess?
Why we love it
This charmer features sparkling dialogue and a breathtaking Rodgers Hart score, including “Lover,” “Mimi,” and my own favorite, “Isn’t it Romantic?” The romantic leads are terrific, and a colorful supporting cast including Charlie Ruggles, Myrna Loy, and C. Aubrey Smith, all keep the soufflé-light story from falling. Directed by Rouben Mamoulian in the style of Ernst Lubitsch, this is often referred to as the “finest Lubitsch picture Lubitsch never made.” In any event, this is one of the great early romantic musicals.