JohnHowardReid Review of The Rage of Paris

The Rage of Paris (1938)

Not too funny, not too bright!. Just so-so!

[6/10 · 6 September 2016]

This Danielle Darrieux/Junior Fairbanks vehicle emerges as a passably pleasing but very lightweight romantic comedy, unevenly acted by some of the players, particularly DD herself, who always seems to be playing at half steam, even when she is the focus of attention. In fact, she actually seems to figure in just about every scene, but she signally lacks most of the sparkle she brought to her French films. Although the movie engenders a fair amount of interest, the actual laughs are few and far between. Also some of the plot twists are too artificially contrived. Henry Koster's uneven direction doesn't help. Some scenes, especially at the beginning are paced too slowly. Henry was obviously waiting for late-comers to take their seats, but why should the rest of the audience have to suffer for the tardiness of the few? This one is available on a very good Alpha DVD.