Rent Love Me Tonight (1932)

3.9 of 5 from 58 ratings
1h 29min
Rent Love Me Tonight Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
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Synopsis:
When the debt owed to Parisian tailor Maurice (Maurice Chevalier) becomes too great, he decides to travel to the aristocratic home of his non-paying customer. There, he falls for Princess Jeanette (Jeanette MacDonald), who rejects his advances due to his low social standing. However, she changes her tune when she is led to believe he is a royal, travelling incognito.
Actors:
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Directors:
Producers:
Rouben Mamoulian
Writers:
Samuel Hoffenstein, George Marion Jr., Waldemar Young, Léopold Marchand, Paul Armont
Genres:
Classics, Comedy, Music & Musicals, Romance
Collections:
The Thin Man At 90
BBFC:
Release Date:
Not released
Run Time:
89 minutes
Languages:
English
Subtitles:
None
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
Colour:
B & W
BBFC:
Release Date:
15/01/2024
Run Time:
89 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.37:1
Colour:
B & W
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Audio commentary with writers and critics Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme (2023)
  • Isn't It Romantic? (2023, 27 mins): in-depth discussion of Rouben Mamoulian's classic musical by writer and critic Geoff Andrew
  • Hollywood on Parade excerpts (1932, 3 mins): Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald perform musical numbers from the film for the newsreel series
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
  • UK premiere on Blu-ray

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Reviews (1) of Love Me Tonight

Legendary Comedy. - Love Me Tonight review by Steve

Spoiler Alert
04/01/2023

Landmark early talkie with timeless songs by Rogers and Hart, which has the reputation of one of the great musical comedies. Rouben Mamoulian was a fine director, but this plainly has the Lubitsch touch; it's a version of a high society European play set in Paris which employs many Lubitsch regulars, including Maurice Chevalier and a script by Samuel Hoffenstein.

But Mamoulian fills the film with audacious moments of his own. Including the staging of Isn't it Romantic? which starts with Maurice singing in his tailor shop, then spreads across the city all the way to the balcony of the woman he will fall in love with. The tradesman chases up a debt in a country estate and gets caught up in the arcane lunacy of the upper class.

There's an abundance of pre-code innuendo and sophisticated romance. Maurice and Jeanette MacDonald are even in bed together! There are weaknesses. Jeanette's operatic vocals haven't dated well and she lacks charisma. It's a satire of the aristocracy, but those characters are so entitled that they are difficult to care for. The hunting scenes are unpleasant.

The bonus is a stunning, elegant Myrna Loy who steals all her scenes from the female star. But it's Maurice who brings joy, whether his infectious comic sparkle or his vivid interpretations of the classic songs, including his standard, Mimi. Maybe not everything works, but it's so fertile with innovation and imagination that there's still plenty to love.

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