The Flame of New Orleans *** (1941, Marlene Dietrich, Bruce Cabot, Roland Young, Mischa Auer, Andy Devine) – Classic Movie Review 6746

Director René Clair’s 1941 romance stars the divine Marlene Dietrich, who enchants as Claire Ledeux, a beautiful New Orleans adventuress who is juggling two men. The Flame of New Orleans was nominated for an Oscar for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White (Jack Otterson, Martin Obzina, Russell A Gausman).

[Spoiler alert] In the plot written by Norman Krasna, Claire is whisked away from her wedding to rich banker Charles Giraud (Roland Young) by dashing sea captain Robert LaTour (Bruce Cabot). They escape by ship and Claire throws her wedding dress into the briny as they embark on a journey of love.

René Clair’s pleasant but rather daft and insubstantial romantic comedy adventure with music was unfairly derided back in 1941, maybe because people expected more in terms of serious content and cinema art from a film by all-time great French director Clair.

Nevertheless, it boasts all the style a big Hollywood studio (Universal) in its heyday could give it, and it is easy now to luxuriate in the richness of the performances, the costumes (designed by René Hubert), Rudolph Maté’s black and white cinematography, art direction (by Jack Otterson, Martin Obzina) and interior Decoration (Russell A Gausman) of a golden-era bygone age.

Memorably, Dietrich sings ‘Sweet Is the Blush of May’ (music by Charles Previn, lyrics by Samuel Lerner) and plays it on piano. What’s the Matter with Father, Salt o’ the Sea and Oh, Joyful Day are also heard on the soundtrack.

Also in the cast are Mischa Auer, Andy Devine, Frank Jenks, Eddie Quillan, Laura Hope Crews, Franklin Pangborn, Clarence Muse, Melville Cooper, Anne Revere, Bob Evans, Gus Schilling, Reed Hadley, Shemp Howard, Frank Sully, Mary Treen, Virginia Sale, Rex Evans, Bess Flowers, Gita Alpar, Anthony Marlowe, Dorothy Adams and Emily Fitzroy.

The Flame of New Orleans is directed by René Clair, runs only 79 minutes, is released by Universal, is written by Norman Krasna, is shot in black and white by Rudolph Maté, is produced by René Clair and Joe Pasternak, and is scored by Frank Skinner (musical score) and Charles Previn (musical director).

Universal tested Maria Montez as a replacement in case Marlene Dietrich quit the film.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6746

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