Review of A Scandal in Paris (1946) by Bernard A — 04 Jul 2009

I haven't seen very many Douglas Sirk films but this is certainly the first one I had trouble staying awake to watch. At least his other films - Imitation of Life, Written on the Wind, Tarnished Angels and even Lured and Shockproof - I found all to be engaging and entertaining dramas. A Scandal In Paris seemed like a gem with it's elaborate costumes and ornate 18th century setting. Even the script is often witty and funny. Wha happened?

I think the problem may be the lead actor here - namely George Sanders - who was very good in All About Eve. Here Sanders plays a suave and sophisticated scoundrel named Eugéne François Vidocq - a real life parisian figure who was the first director of the Sûreté Nationale. This very Hollywoodized version of his early career follows his rise from a lowly thief/escaped prisoner who then wrangles his way to be the head of the Paris police force - how he does this exactly...well, that's for you to find out!

It's a role that on paper seems perfectly suited for an actor with a voice and mannerisms of a George Sanders but I'm not sure he can carry a 2 hr film - namely his delivery is so droll and monotonous that I had a hard time staying awake.

This is a dialogue-heavy film and I think a director with a sense of screwball comedy would have made this possibly work better - and also pick up the pace a bit too - but that's my opinion.

It doesn't help that the background music is also soft and sleep inducing.

Some of the character arcs here seemed to abruptly change so that by the end - I'm not sure I can completely buy them.

I thought one of the highlights of the film was a sexy musical number by the beautiful actress Carole Landis early in the film. Unfortunately, her faltering career & health would lead her to commit suicide 2 years after the completion of this film.

Anyway, an interesting...though, not one of Douglas Sirk's best offering, I'm afraid.