Marion Davies moves unsteadily into sound films, as the title character in the musical "Marianne". This was Davies' first sound film; a silent version was filmed earlier. In her first aural offering, Ms. Davies combines silent mannerisms with a sometimes lilting, sometimes grunting French accent. Davies is admired by several U.S. soldiers, but mostly Lawrence Gray (as Stagg). Mr. Gray helps retrieve Davies' stolen pig, albeit mostly eaten.
There are several embarrassing scenes, but the film really goes downhill during a musical number involving Benny Rubin (Sam) and Cliff Edwards (Soapy) serenading a distraught Davies. This song and dance is followed by Davies doing deep knee bends, in drag, while bragging about her intimacy with a General. Later on, she does musical impressions of Maurice Chevalier and Sarah Bernhardt. They are not as fun as they sound! Mr. Rubin sings "The Girl from Neufchâteau" extremely well, though; his is the film's best musical performance.
The best scene occurs with Davies in a military jeep, with Gray; she is still disguised as a male officer, complete with moustache and a cap. The scene works because Davies, instead of playing a French woman, play-acts a French officer. Here, she proves herself an actress well-suited for talking pictures. You may also notice her sometimes uncanny resemblance to Lucille Ball; especially, recall Ms. Ball's "Lucy Meets the Moustache" (1960). It is most obvious Ball referenced some of Davies' comic work.
**** Marianne (8/24/29) Robert Z. Leonard ~ Marion Davies, Lawrence Gray, Benny Rubin
There are several embarrassing scenes, but the film really goes downhill during a musical number involving Benny Rubin (Sam) and Cliff Edwards (Soapy) serenading a distraught Davies. This song and dance is followed by Davies doing deep knee bends, in drag, while bragging about her intimacy with a General. Later on, she does musical impressions of Maurice Chevalier and Sarah Bernhardt. They are not as fun as they sound! Mr. Rubin sings "The Girl from Neufchâteau" extremely well, though; his is the film's best musical performance.
The best scene occurs with Davies in a military jeep, with Gray; she is still disguised as a male officer, complete with moustache and a cap. The scene works because Davies, instead of playing a French woman, play-acts a French officer. Here, she proves herself an actress well-suited for talking pictures. You may also notice her sometimes uncanny resemblance to Lucille Ball; especially, recall Ms. Ball's "Lucy Meets the Moustache" (1960). It is most obvious Ball referenced some of Davies' comic work.
**** Marianne (8/24/29) Robert Z. Leonard ~ Marion Davies, Lawrence Gray, Benny Rubin