Review of The Love Parade (1929) by Tim H — 29 Feb 2008

I've never seen a Lubitsch film before! WOW! I just finished watching Eclipse "Lubitsch Musicals" collection. Yeah, they aren't traditional musicals. but I think that they are what musicals should be!

Maurice Chevalier is charming. That's right. I'm reviewing the male lead first. He's got this impecable sense of comic timing that really isn't seen too often in actors. While some of the music is "eh" (especially when it comes to Chevalier having to speak-sing part of the lyrics), his character always makes up for the flaws in performance. Jeanette MacDonald across from him is also dead-on. I have to commend Lubitsch on his direction of MacDonald because she has this very gradual change in her character that, while the attention of much of the film, is very subtle and as real as can get in this absolutely bizarre situation.

But that's what this movie is. This is the forefather of the escapist romantic comedy. This world never existed. I couldn't relate to the womanizing soldier having to marry a queen to maintain a royal bloodline. It just didn't work that way. But at no time was I ever pulled into how absurd a story that was. I simply bought it, hook-line-and-sinker. That takes a lot for me, considering I'm a cynical bastard.

My favorite moments, it should be noted, were the ones with Lupino Lane. I just marveled at his physicality. Partnering him with Lillian Roth just took slapstick dancing to a new level. I didn't understand how he didn't get hurt, but I loved it all the more.

This really is one of those absolutely priceless movies. If you are on the fence about the Eclipse Lubitsch set, I hope this review pushes you into thinking about it. This is a heck of a set and it really is enjoyable.