The King of Paris *** (1934, Cedric Hardwicke, Marie Glory, Ralph Richardson) – Classic Movie Review 12,241

The 1934 British romantic drama film The King of Paris is directed by Jack Raymond, and stars Cedric Hardwicke, Marie Glory and Ralph Richardson. It is made by Herbert Wilcox Productions for British & Dominions Film Corporation and was released by United Artists (UK).

It is an amusing tale of an influential Parisian actor, impresario and show producer called Max Till (Hardwicke) who discovers a young Russian woman, Maike Tamara (Glory), and turns her into a star, and then tricks her into marrying him. But then she falls in love with his friend Paul Lebrun (Ralph Richardson), and wants to quit the marriage.

There is some sprightly acting and an intriguing show business background in this fine romance, partly based on the life of famed French writer-director Sacha Guitry (1885-1957). It is likely to appeal to fans of Hardwicke and Richardson, and those who enjoy Thirties showbiz. It is based on Alfred Savoir’s and John van Druten’s play La Voie Lactée.

The cast are Cedric Hardwicke as Max Till, Marie Glory as Maike Tamara, Ralph Richardson as Paul Lebrun, Phyllis Monkman as Gismonde, O B Clarence as Mayor, John Deverell as Bertrand, Lydia Sherwood as Juliette Till, Jeanne Stuart as Yvonne, Joan Maude as Lea Rossignol.

French actress Marie Glory (born Raymonde Louise Marcelle Toully; 3 March 1905 – 24 January 2009) died less than two months short of her 104th birthday.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,241

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com

Cedric Hardwicke.