The Love Parade

1929
Passed
1h 47m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Romantic Comedy Slapstick Comedy Musical Romance

The queen of mythical Sylvania marries a courtier, who finds his new life unsatisfying.The queen of mythical Sylvania marries a courtier, who finds his new life unsatisfying.The queen of mythical Sylvania marries a courtier, who finds his new life unsatisfying.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

2.7K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 6 Oscars
- 1 win & 6 nominations total

Trivia
Considered by many to be the first musical film in which the songs were integrated with the story.

Goofs
The fact that Count Alfred (Maurice Chevalier) speaks with a French accent, even though he is not supposed to be French, is really not an "error". However, by adding a scene to attempt to explain this anomaly, it only serves to highlight the accent discrepancies in the casting. For instance, in contrast to the accent discrepancy with Chevalier's character, no one seems to notice that his French servant, Jacques (Lupino Lane), speaks British English with no discernible French accent.

Quotes
Queen Louise: Why am I always awakened from my dreams?

Alternate versions
There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl: "IL PRINCIPE CONSORTE (1929) + AMAMI STANOTTE (1932)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.

Connections
Featured in The Love Goddesses (1965)

Soundtracks
Ooh, La La
(1929) (uncredited)
Music by Victor Schertzinger
Lyrics by Clifford Grey
Sung by Lupino Lane

User reviews37

Review

Featured review

10/10

Chevalier Shines In Lubitsch Teaser

Domestic difficulties between the strong-willed Queen of Sylvania and her stubborn Consort may cause them both to miss THE LOVE PARADE.

Director Ernst Lubitsch spread his special brand of sophisticated naughtiness in this visually impressive & engaging early talkie musical. Depending much on the intelligence of the viewer, the film serves up unexpected bons mons of wit (e.g. the dog barking his farewells to the pooches of Paris) which never fail to enchant. Lubitsch would contribute a series of delightful little comedies over the next several years, making the title of this confection pertinent in more ways than one.

Maurice Chevalier practically oozes Gaelic charm in a wonderfully hammy, ingratiating performance. His French charisma dominates the screen; he embraces his songs rather than just singing them. His immense joie de vivre & exceptional talent was perfectly attuned to the sound motion picture. In her film debut, the lovely Jeanette MacDonald proves a charming partner to Chevalier. Imperious or coquettish by turns, she beguiles the viewer as well as Maurice--her celebrated voice (when intelligible) put to good use in the seduction.

British physical comedian Lupino Lane is a winner as Chevalier's highly energetic little valet; lanky Lillian Roth, as a palace maid, joins him for some humorous knockabout songs. Lionel Belmore & Eugene Palette bring appropriately hefty gravitas to their roles as government ministers. Diminutive Edgar Norton appears as an unflappable majordomo.

Movie mavens will recognize silent screen comic Ben Turpin as a cross-eyed lackey, Russ Powell as the Afghan Ambassador and young Jean Harlow as one of a group of women applauding Chevalier at the theatre, all uncredited.