The French Line

1953
Approved
1h 42m

IMDb RATING

5.1/10

724

YOUR RATING

When her fiancé leaves her, an oil heiress takes a cruise incognito in order to find a man who will love her for herself and not for her money.

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Classic Musical Holiday Romance Comedy Musical Romance

When her fiancé leaves her, an oil heiress takes a cruise incognito in order to find a man who will love her for herself and not for her money.When her fiancé leaves her, an oil heiress takes a cruise incognito in order to find a man who will love her for herself and not for her money.When her fiancé leaves her, an oil heiress takes a cruise incognito in order to find a man who will love her for herself and not for her money.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.1/10

724

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Although Son of Sinbad (1955) marked Kim Novak's first screen assignment, The French Line was her first released picture in a bit part as a fashion model.

Goofs
When in NYC Pierre asks Waco for the time; Waco says 5 PM and 3 PM in Texas. This is factually wrong. Texas is predominantly in the Central Time Zone with a few cities in the Mountain Time Zone. Waco and Mame are from Paris, Texas which is the Central Time Zone, therefore, it would have been 4 PM there.

Quotes
Mary 'Mame' Carson: [This is the cut out speech that Jane Russell makes during her song, "Lookin' for Trouble"] That's all I need, is a man! Any type, any style! Just so, he's a man! Now, he can be short, tall, or elongated! He can be thin, muscular, obese... that's fat, you know! Any direction will do. He can be sweet, sensitive, intelligent, a little coy, but not a boy! Now, don't get me wrong! 17 to 70 will do! It ain't the age, it's the attitude! However, there is one requisite I must make: he has to be... brief! So bring him on, stand back, and watch my own private chemical reaction start to work!

Alternate versions
Due to a censorship controversy over 'Jane Russell' 's "Looking for Trouble" number, the film was briefly released without a Production Code seal. The final version (with seal) features a much tamer performance with relatively little breast exposure. The initial UK version omits that sequence entirely. Both versions survive, and are easily distinguishable: the "hot" version includes a spoken narration midway through in which Mary talks about what she wants from a man; in the shorter release version, some of the dance is performed with Mary positioned behind a figure-obscuring planter, and without the closer, high-angle cleavage shots.

Connections
Featured in Hollywood the Golden Years: The RKO Story: Birth of a Titan (1987)

Soundtracks
WELL! I'LL BE SWITCHED
(uncredited)
Music by Josef Myrow
Lyrics by Ralph Blane and Robert Wells
Performed by Jane Russell and Theresa Harris

User reviews23

Review

Featured review

8/10

Great Music, Great Lines, Fab and Funny.

The British publication "Radio Times" in a recent review said that Jane Russell was past her prime in this movie. Were they watching? She looks great, her singing is fantastic and she seems to really enjoy herself in this film.

In my book this is one of the best musicals of the 1950's, but it's strength is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. Irreverent and vulgar, the plot is a feminist's nightmare and Jane Russell's "talents" are exploited to the full. As the picture was released originally in 3D, the tagline was "Jane will knock BOTH your eyes out!"

One of the most censored movies in American history, the film was cut to shreds in many states. The final musical number "lookin' for trouble" is truly outrageous. But the overall spirit of the film is goodnatured and full of energy.

Watch this film again and again!