The Merry Widow

1934
Passed
1h 39m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald in The Merry Widow (1934)

When a small kingdom's main taxpayer leaves for Paris, its king dispatches a dashing count to win back her allegiance.

Play trailer3:17

1 Video

84 Photos

Comedy Musical Romance

When a small kingdom's main taxpayer leaves for Paris, its king dispatches a dashing count to win back her allegiance.When a small kingdom's main taxpayer leaves for Paris, its king dispatches a dashing count to win back her allegiance.When a small kingdom's main taxpayer leaves for Paris, its king dispatches a dashing count to win back her allegiance.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 1 win total

Videos1

Trailer 3:17

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Photos84

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Storyline

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Trivia
During a recent showing on TCM, it was stated that Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier did not get along on this film. He called her a "prude" and she called him "a bottom pincher". Their relationship had been deteriorating for some time, and this was the last film they appeared in together.

Goofs
When Sonia tears off a calendar sheet, it reads "Thursday, May III, 1885". However, May 3, 1885 was actually a Sunday.

Quotes
Sonia: Girls, the gentleman wants to be entertained.
[to Danilo]
Sonia: Here they are. All your little tonights. And not a tomorrow among them.

Alternate versions
A French version of this film, also starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald, was filmed at the same time as this one.

Connections
Featured in Monsieur Cinéma: Episode dated 23 January 1972 (1972)

Soundtracks
Girls, Girls, Girls
by Franz Lehár

User reviews40

Review

Featured review

8/10

Lubitsch and Lehar

MGM's second version of 'The Merry Widow', this time using the music of Lehar's operetta and starring Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier in the roles previously filled by Mae Murray and John Gilbert in the silent movie.

Jeanette MacDonald is a revelation here if you've only seen her in the films which teamed her with Nelson Eddy from 1935 and 1942. Her Sonia is sparky, flirty, and naughty, and naturally in beautiful voice as ever. Maurice Chevalier brings his considerable Gallic charm to the role of Count Danillo, while familiar character faces of the period flesh out the supporting cast (Edward Everett Horton, Donald Meek, Una Merkel, Sterling Holloway).

The film looks sumptuous, with beautiful sets and striking black and white photography. Definitely one of the key musicals of the 1930s.