Austrian lieutenant Ramon Novarro (as Willi Kasder) falls in love with lower class piano teacher Helen Chandler (as Laura Taub), after treating her as a girl for hire. The amusing scenes between Novarro and dresser Clyde Cook (as Josef) illustrate at least two meanings for the word "gay". Very nicely directed by Jacques Feyder, "Daybreak" was the first of two welcome collaborations with Novarro. Unfortunately, the studio kept ordering the team to lighten up the production. Novarro is good at the humor, but it just doesn't compliment the story being told and puts his characterization off balance. Considering their manipulations, it was a good thing MGM shelved the film's original ending.
***** Daybreak (5/2/31) Jacques Feyder ~ Ramon Novarro, Helen Chandler, Jean Hersholt, C. Aubrey Smith
***** Daybreak (5/2/31) Jacques Feyder ~ Ramon Novarro, Helen Chandler, Jean Hersholt, C. Aubrey Smith