Customer Reviews

Rage of Paris [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The above is the famous ad tag for Danielle Darrieux's American debut, noting her enormous popularity in her native France. They were right. THE RAGE OF PARIS is one of the greatest romantic comedy "screwball" films Hollywood made during the 1930's yet is surprisingly little known, probably because fans of the classic romantic comedies tend to stick to the queens of the genre (Colbert, Lombard, Arthur, Loy, etc.) and most of the actresses who made only one romantic comedy are pretty bad at it (ie: Crawford). Danielle Darrieux, on the other hand, is divine! The great French star came to America with much fan-fare to make this movie and went back home to France within months being homesick. It certainly was the American's screen loss because Mme. Darrieux certainly proves she could have been a major rival for Claudette Colbert's throne as the queen of romantic comedies. Danielle is every bit as enchanting here as that other French coquette and unlike Ms. Colbert she does not go for an Americanized personality, retaining a thoroughly French sensibility. Nobody can touch Claudette in this genre as far as I am concerned, but Danielle shows she might have come close. She certainly settled with a very nice consolation prize going back home and becoming the greatest female star in the history of French cinema and still active on the screen today (2002's EIGHT WOMEN) some seventy years after her screen debut!

THE RAGE OF PARIS was ingenue Danielle Darrieux's official American film debut following years of being one of the top stars of the French cinema. A delightful film tailor-made for her talents, in which she plays a penniless model, Nicole de Cortillon, looking for work in New York, scooped off the streets by a pair of opportunists and used to ensnare a millionaire. Fine performances from a uniformly-strong cast including 30s screwball stalwarts Mischa Auer and Helen Broderick; and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as the love interest for Darrieux. And yes, that's a very young Mary Martin in a bit-part. Another fine release from Alpha (taken from a decent-quality print).

The Rage of Paris is a first-rate "battle of the sexes" romantic comedy, one of the best due to its rather sexy script and witty, highly visible chemistry between combatants Darrieux and Fairbanks, Jr. The premise may be a little dated (she's out to catch a rich husband with deception; he's out to save his best friend from falling into that trap) but that's the only part of the movie that is. The sparkling dialogue, a mixture of dagger witticisms and sweetness, and Darrieux's incredibly funny way of keeping just one mental step ahead of the man who's really falling for her... are such a treat to watch. A refreshingly clever, well-matched romantic pair. This movie really does improve with multiple viewings.

Nicole (Danielle Darrieux) can't seem to find a job and therefore can't pay her rent. She is beautiful, so she visits a modelling agency for a job, but they tell her she cannot be employed there unless she is signed with the agency. She lies and says she is. Next, she needs an appointment with the manager. She lies again. Now she is told about a job which requires she wear drapes for her wardrobe-- and nothing else. She refuses at first, but in desperation sneaks to the address and promptly begins to undress. The man there (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) is confused by her behavior, but amused, and Nicole manages to wholly embarass herself.

At home, she finds herself locked out of her room for non-payment of the rent. A kindly neighbor (Helen Broderick) pays it for her, and helps cook up a scheme to hook a rich husband. The two enlist the help of an admirer to provide them with the luxuries of wealth and a conveniently placed hotel room. Now for the rich victim.

This is a fun programmer with a talented but lesser-known cast. Darrieux is lovely and entertainingly funny; her facial expressions are reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich's in comedy. Her accent serves her well and provides a few laughs. Fairbanks is wonderful as always, smooth and amusing. He is an underrated comedian and his suaveness is probably to blame for it. Flanked by Mischa Auer and Broderick, the two stars lead the story through its paces nicely.

There is nothing particularly unique about the story; it is very predictable. However, fans of screwball comedy and other styles of this era will find no faults. The casual movie-goer will be underwhelmed.

This is a wonderful little almost forgotten romantic comedy involving two handsome young millionaires, a penniless French beauty and a scheme to marry her off to one of them despite the best efforts of the other. Douglas Fairbanks Jr., is at his handsomest and most debonair as he tries to save his friend Louis Hayward from the Parisian golddigger masquerading as a French noblewoman as charmingly played by Danielle Darriuex. Mischa Auer, Helen Broderick, Harry Davenport and Charles Coleman provide comic support and happy endings all around.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. excelled in drawing room comedy, and the fast-paced script and rapid pacing by director Henry Koster along with spirited cooperation from beautiful Parisian costar Danielle Darrieux, who vibrates with him in comedic timing, make this 1938 Universal production a gem.

Darrieux is moved into a plush suite of a prominent New York hotel apartment when head waiter Mischa Auer and Darrieux's friend Helen Broderick conspire to marry the lovely Parisian to a wealthy man. Louis Hayward, who ostensibly owns "half of Canada" is the selected choice, but ends up ultimately vying for her with "best friend" Fairbanks. The dramatic conflict stems from the fact that Fairbanks catches on to Darrieux's ploy and is initially out to foil her to help his friend, but ultimately succumbs to her charms.

The script conveys the flavor of the Depression thirties and the burgeoning contrasts between rich and poor. A shrewd Broderick realizes that Darrieux can convert her beauty into economic success by using just the right strategy on the properly situated man. Ironically, Darrieux finally learns that, for all the money Hayward has, Fairbanks is wealthier.

I love this movie. I bought it for my cousin for Christmas, since it's a favorite of hers, and my son taped over the last 5 minutes of the copy she let me borrow.

This is definitely one to add to your collection if you like classic romantic comedies.

There is not one single thing about this movie that disappoints. It is refreshing and truly funny. Danielle Darriuex defines enchanting and Douglas Fairbanks still makes my heart skip a beat. Everyone who loves classic comedy should own this movie!

This is the first movie I actually bought, not rented. At the age of 6, I was terribly dissapointed that it was in Black and White, but didn't even notice it 5 minutes into the movie. This will be the sixth copy I will own, because I've watched the other copies so often that the audio is awful. This movie really made me become a cinemophile. It was also the first time I fell in love, with Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

A depression era twist on "Taming of the Shrew", with glittering stars and Helen Broderick as usual a great second banana. Very good script and dialogue. If not the equal of "Bringing Up Baby" (which was a huge flop when released), a terrific light romantic comedy grounded in the desperate economic times. DD is very good at playing vulnerable but tenacious.