Night Flight (1933).

Night Flight (also known as Dark to Dawn) is a 1933 aviation drama film produced by David O. Selznick. Directed by Clarence Brown. Cast: Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Clark Gable and Helen Hayes. It is based on the 1931 novel of the same name which won the Prix Femina the same year, by French writer and pioneering-aviator Antoine de Saint Exupery. Based on Saint-Exupery's personal experiences while flying on South American mail routes, Night Flight recreates a 24-hour period of the operations of the fictional airline, Trans-Andean European Air Mail.

A mother is very worried about her very ill son in a Rio de Janeiro hospital. Everyone is waiting for a very important package containing a life-saving medicine to be delivered by the night flying Trans-Andean European Air Mail, the very next day.

In Santiago, Chile, pilot Auguste Pellerin leaves for Buenos Aires, the airline's headquarters, with the medicine. Bad weather makes his flight a dangerous one and the shaken Pellerin, is thankful to land safely, even though the airline's ruthless director general of a mail service, Riviera, fines him for being late.

Riviera, is a harsh boss who respects his pilots even while driving them ever harder and his no-nonsense tactics worry inspector, Robineau.

Meanwhile, pilot Jules Fabian and his wireless operator, H. Guimet, have left Punta Arenas and do not like the looks of a sudden rainstorm in front of them.

Fabian's wife Simone, is waiting at home for him and has prepared a special dinner to celebrate his first night flight.

Meanwhile, Guimet wants to land in nearby Bahia Blanca, Argentina, but Fabian decides to push ahead, because he does not want to be fined for being late. They radio to headquarters that they are flying blind, but their transmission is cut off. As time wears on Fabian, fly's off-course by the storm.

After Robineau, returns to the office following a dinner with Pellerin, Riviera reprimands him for socializing with the pilot and forces him to punish Pellerin for a fabricated offense, to teach him a lesson.

Riviera, calls a Brazilian pilot to take the mail to Rio and the pilot's wife pleads with him not to go.

Simone, now realizing that her husband is very late, arrives at headquarters after Riviera refuses to give her any information over the telephone.

While Simone waits anxiously for news, Fabian and Guimet, who believe that they have passed the worst of the storm, are forced to jump from their plane when the plane runs out of fuel. The storm has driven them over the ocean and both men jump to their death.

At the airport, Simone realizes that Fabian is dead and hysterically accuses Riviera of treating the pilots like machines. Riviera, insist the night mail must go through, sending the Brazilian pilot onto Rio.

Despite his wife's worries, the pilot makes his run safely and on time. The serum reaches the hospital and the ill child's life is saved.

This all-star cast performs in this awesome film about pilots, with some great aerial footage... This was Lionel's fifth and final teaming with his younger brother John, playing the ruthless director general of a mail service who asks pilots to risk their lives on a daily basis flying over the Andes. Clark Gable, was very impressive as a doomed flyer.

Helen Hayes Brown (October 10, 1900 – March 17, 1993), career spanned almost 70 years. Her mother, Catherine Estelle, was an aspiring actress. Her father, Francis van Arnum Brown, worked at the Washington Patent Office and as a manager and salesman for a wholesale butcher.

Hayes began a stage career at an early age. She said her stage debut was as a 5-year-old singer at Washington's Belasco Theater (on Lafayette Square, across from the White House.)

By the age of ten, she had made a short film called Jean and the Calico Doll, but moved to Hollywood only when her husband, playwright Charles MacArthur, signed a Hollywood deal.

Her sound film debut was in, The Sin of Madelon Claudet, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

She followed that with starring roles in, Arrowsmith (with Myrna Loy), A Farewell to Arms (with actor Gary Cooper, The White Sister, What Every Woman Knows (a reprise from her Broadway hit) and Vanessa: Her Love Story.

Hayes, returned to Broadway in 1935, where for three years she played the title role in the Gilbert Miller production of Victoria Regina, with Vincent Price as Prince Albert, first at the Broadhurst Theater and later at the Martin Beck Theater.

In 1953, she was the first-ever recipient of the Sarah Siddons Award for her work in Chicago theater, repeating as the winner in 1969.

She returned to Hollywood in the 1950's, and her film star began to rise. She starred in, My Son John (1952) and Anastasia (1956), and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as an elderly stowaway in the disaster film, Airport (1970).

She followed that up with several roles in Disney films such as Herbie Rides Again, One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing and Candleshoe. Her performance in Anastasia was considered a comeback—she had suspended her career for several years due to the death of her daughter Mary, and her husband's failing health.

In 1955 the Fulton Theater was renamed for her.

In 1983 the Little Theater on West 45th Street was renamed The Helen Hayes Theater in her honor, as was a theater in Nyack, which has since been renamed the River-space-Arts Center.

It is unclear who or when Hayes was called the "First Lady of the Theater". Her friend, actress Katharine Cornell also held that title, and each thought that the other deserved it. One critic said that Cornell played every Queen as though she were a woman, whereas Hayes played every woman as though she were a Queen.

In 1982, with friend Lady Bird Johnson, she founded the National Wildflower Research Center, now the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas. The center protects and preserves North America's native plants and natural landscapes.

The Helen Hayes Award for theater in the Washington D.C. area is named in her honor.

Playmates (1941).

Playmates (1941). A comedy film directed by David Butler. Cast: Kay Kyser and John Barrymore. This was Barrymore's final film.

The story begins, when press agent Lulu Monahan, is trying to land her client actor John Barrymore, a job on Mr. Pennypacker's, popular radio show.  It turns out Pennypacker, is not interested in hiring Barrymore. So, Lulu comes up with a huge idea with the help of Peter Lindsey, to have Barrymore teach Shakespeare to Kay. Barrymore, does not really want to go with the plan until, the Internal Revenue Service comes looking for his back taxes. Lulu, promises him that it will lead to a big radio contract with Pennypacker. Lulu,  makes big promises, about a summer festival of Shakespearean plays starring Kay and Barrymore, Pennypacker's socialite wife, wanting to be part of the summer festival offers their Long Island estate.

Barrymore, then begins to tutor Kay when female bullfighter and former girl friend Carmen del Toro, drops by for a visit and wants all of  Barrymore's attention. Then, comes up with a plan to get rid of Kay, which backfires.

Just before the performance, Kay is recording his speech when he leaves the room for a moment. The recorder is still running when Barrymore and Lulu enter the room and Barrymore, tells her about a new plan to get rid of Kay.

When Kay replays the recording and hears about their plan, he decides to get even.  Kay, dresses up as the Grand Lama and tricks Barrymore, into revealing his plan, to spray Kay's throat, with an elixir that will prevent him from speaking. Then Ginny, insists on seeing the Grand Lama, who tells her two fortunes: one with an aging actor, the other with the young band leader.

On the day of the festival, Kay pours the elixir into Barrymore's champagne glass and refills the atomizer with  the elixir. After drinking a toast, Barrymore, takes the stage and is beginning to perform when he loses his voice and is booed off the stage.

Will Kay and his band, save the day with their modern version of Shakespeare, "Romeo Smith and Juliet Jones" ?

I felt Barrymore, worked very hard to make the most of his part in this film and there's a flash of his old talent sprinkled in along with some very bad jokes.. He performs Hamlet's To Be Or Not To Be, with a heart felt reading.


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Lupe Velez (July 18, 1908 – December 14, 1944).  Her aggressive behavior with her ​​friends made her parents decide to send her to, Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio, Texas, when she was 13 years old. Where she learned to speak English. After her 15th birthday and after the death of her father, Vélez left the convent and went to work in a warehouse as a clerk, earning four dollars a week. She took dancing lessons and in 1924, made her performing debut at the Teatro Principal in Mexico City, with the comedy ¡Ra-ta plan!.

In 1923 she moved to Texas, where she began dancing in vaudeville shows. A family friend, Frank Woodward, recommended Vélez to actor, Richard Bennett, who needed a young woman with the characteristics of Vélez for the stage play 'The Dove'. Vélez, did not get the part.

In California, she met the comedian Fanny Brice, who promoted her career as a dancer. When Lupe was about to move to New York for a stage play, she received a call from Harry Rapf, an official of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who offered her a screen test.

Hal Roach, producer and director of Pathé Pictures, saw the Lupe tests and hired her a role in the short film Sailors, Beware! with Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel. Soon after, Vélez performed in another short film with Hal Roach, What Women Did for Me in 1927. Vélez's first feature-length film was The Gaucho (1927) starring Douglas Fairbanks.

Most of her early films cast her in exotic or ethnic roles (Hispanic, Native American, French, Russian, even Asian). It was not long before, Vélez made her second major film, Stand and Deliver (1928), in which she played a Greek peasant girl, for Cecil B. DeMilles.

Her next film, Lady of the Pavements (1929), was directed by D. W. Griffith and would be remembered for its image of the Smoking Dog Café. In the film, Vélez, sings for the first time, Irving Berlin songs.

She later performed in, The Wolf Song (1929), directed by Victor Fleming, opposite Gary Cooper. By the end of the silent era, Vélez was as popular as the"it girl" Clara Bow. She was named The Mexican "IT" Girl.

Vélez made her first all-talking picture, Tiger Rose in 1929. She also starred in Spanish-language versions of some of her movies.

Vélez performed in a series of Pre-Code movies: Hell Harbor , The Storm, and the crime drama East is West with Edward G. Robinson (1930).

In 1931 she worked with Cecil B. DeMille in the film Squaw Man and Resurrection. Vélez became typed cast to fiery supporting roles.

In 1932, Vélez filmed The Cuban Love Song (1931), with Lawrence Tibbett and Moisés Simons's 1929 song, "El Manisero" .

Next, she filmed Kongo, a second version of West of Zanzibar, with Walter Huston. In 1933, Vélez performed in, The Half-Naked Truth with Lee Tracy, for which she portrayed "Princess Exotica, posing as an escaped harem girl".

In 1933, she starred the comedy Hot Pepper, with Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe. This film is considered an installment in the series of films dating back to the silent film, What Price Glory? (1926), starring Lowe and McLaglen in their characters of Sergeant Harry Quirt and Captain Jim Flagg with Dolores Del Rio as the female costar.

The pair made a sequel to that film called The Cock-Eyed World (1929), costarring Lili Damita. She starred with Jimmy Durante in Palooka and Strictly Dynamite (both in 1934). That same year, Vélez filmed Laughing Boy with Ramón Novarro.  Novarro and Vélez were cast as Native Americans - a decision that doomed this film to failure even before it was begun.

Her battle with Laurel and Hardy in Hollywood Party is another enthusiastic Vélez performances. In 1934, Vélez was one of the victims of the "witch hunt" for "reds" in Hollywood. With Dolores del Río, Ramón Novarro and James Cagney, she was accused of promoting communism in California. The accusation arose after del Río, Novarro, Cagney and Vélez attend a special screening of the film Que viva Mexico! of Sergei M. Eisenstein which copies were claimed by Joseph Stalin from the Soviet Union to be edited.

Although Vélez was a popular actress, RKO Pictures did not renew her contract in 1934. Over the next few years, Vélez traveled from studio to studio; she also spent two years in England making films. In the England she filmed The Morals of Marcus and Gypsy Melody (1936). It was part of the producer Julius Hagen's film production. Hagen brought in Vélez, a leading Mexican actress, to give the her films greater international appeal. Vélez was now nearing 30 and had not become a major star. Disappointed, she left Hollywood for Broadway.

In New York, she landed a role in, You Never Know, a short-lived Cole Porter musical. Eventually, she participed in West End Revue with Greta Nissen. In 1937 she returned to Hollywood. She was featured in the final Wheeler and Woolsey comedy, High Flyers , doing impersonations of Katharine Hepburn, Simone Simon, Dolores del Río, Marlene Dietrich and Shirley Temple. Lupe Vélez was very popular with Spanish-speaking audiences.

She returned to Mexican films in 1938 starring in, La Zandunga (1938), directed by Fernando de Fuentes, with Arturo de Córdova.

Returning to Hollywood in 1939, she landed a leading part in the comedy for RKO Radio Pictures, The Girl from Mexico. She established such a rapport with co-star Leon Errol that RKO made a quick sequel, Mexican Spitfire, which became a very popular series.  The Spitfire films rejuvenated Vélez's career and for the next few years she starred in musical and comedy features for RKO, Universal Pictures, and Columbia Pictures in addition to the Spitfire films.

In one of her last films, Columbia's Redhead from Manhattan, she played dual roles. In 1941 she filmed Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga, again opposite Leon Errol.

In 1941, she filmed Playmates, the last movie of John Barrymore. In 1944, she returned to Mexican films starring in an adaptation of Émile Zola's novel Nana. Vélez career in the late thirties suffered from too many exotic roles.

In 1944 Vélez, wanted to return to Mexico, but she was overwhelmed by her many highly publicized affairs with: John Gilbert, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Erich Maria Remarque, Errol Flynn and Mexican actor Arturo de Córdova. One of Vélez more highly publicized relationship was with actor Gary Cooper. Vélez met Cooper during the filming of The Wolf Song, and began a two-year affair with him. Cooper was married at the time, and also having affairs with Clara Bow and Marlene Dietrich.

After her relationship with Cooper ended, Vélez married Olympic athlete Johnny Weissmuller (of Tarzan fame) in 1933. The marriage lasted five years; they repeatedly split and reunited several times before divorcing in 1939.

Grand Hotel (1932).

Grand Hotel(1932), has stood the test of time because of it's all-star cast. Directed by Edmund Goulding. The screenplay by William A. Drake and Bela Balázs is based on the 1930 play of the same title by Drake, who had adapted it from the 1929 novel Menschen im Hotel by Vicki Baum.

The film is the only one to have won the Academy Award for Best Picture without it or its actors being nominated in any other category. The film was remade as, Week-End at the Waldorf (1945).

The film begins when, Grand Hotel permanent resident Doctor Otternschlag, a veteran of World War I,  is looking on while people are coming and going.

Next.. you have Baron Felix von Geigern, who supports himself gambling and part-time jewel thief. He becomes friends with Otto Kringelein , who is dying and wants to spend his last days in a beautiful hotel after a life time scrimping and saving.

Then you have.. Kringelein's former employer, Preysing, closing a deal with the help of his stenographer, Flaemmchen. Who really wants to become an actress and she is willing to do anything to advance her acting career.

Another guest is... Russian ballerina Grusinskaya , whose career is beginning to fade. When She returns from the theatre, she finds Baron in her room stealing her pearls and she tells him, "I want to be alone." Baron decides to stay and Grusinskaya, does not seem to really want him to leave.

The next morning, Baron returns Grusinskaya's pearls, but after a wonderful night with him, she does not seem to concerned about the necklace and invites him to travel with her to Vienna, which he accepts the invitation.

Later, during afternoon tea, the Baron joins Kringelein and Flaemmchen, talks the frail man into dancing with her. Preysing, demands she join him in his suite. Not happy, with his former boss rude behavior, Kringelein gives him a piece of his mind. Preysing, is about to hit Kringelein up side the head, when the Baron jumps in and invites him to join him in a game of cards. Kringelein accepts and wins everything, when he becomes intoxicated and drops his wallet, the Baron picks it up and hides it in his jacket pocket. When Kringelein, begins to search for his lost wallet, the Baron pretends to have suddenly have found the wallet returns it to him.

As part of a merger, Preysing must travel to London and he asks Flaemmchen to join him. Later, when the two are in her room, Preysing sees the shadow of the Baron going through his things. He confronts the Baron and the two get into a fight. Preysing hits the Baron with the telephone, killing him. Flaemmchen comes in and sees what happened. Preysing, insists he acted in self-defense, but Kringelein calls the police and has Preysing arrested.

Grusinskaya leaves for the train station, expecting to find the Baron waiting for her. Kringelein, offers to take Flaemmchen, to Paris to find a cure for his illness. As they leave the hotel, Doctor Otternschlag once again watches, the people coming and going in "Grand Hotel"....

Greta Garbo, is definitely the star of the film, but Joan Crawford, also gives a wonderful performance. Lionel Barrymore and John Barrymore are also impressive. The cinematography is beautiful, as it gives us the grandness of the Grand Hotel, the overhead shot of the operators who are taking the calls and then focusing on everyone who are busy with their own lives, is very interesting to watch.



 Fun Facts:

There are no scenes where Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford are in the same frame. This was done to eliminate the possibility that one of the two great stars might upstage the other.

Joan Crawford was irked by Greta Garbo's insistence on top billing and decided to take her revenge. Knowing that Garbo loathed tardiness and Marlene Dietrich in equal measures, Crawford played Dietrich records between shots and made sure to arrive late on set.

The only Best Picture Oscar winner not to be nominated for any other Academy Awards.

Lewis Stone (November 15, 1879 – September 12, 1953). He performed in the film, Nomads of the North(1920), playing a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman. He performed in the title role in the silent film version of, The Prisoner of Zenda(1922), as well as, Rudolf Rassendyll.

Stone was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for, The Patriot (1929). After that, he performed in seven movies with Greta Garbo, in both the silent and sound periods. He played the role of Dr. Otternschlag in the Garbo film, Grand Hotel, in which, completely unaware of all the high drama that is going on, he says the famous closing line: "Grand Hotel. People come. People go. Nothing ever happens". He played a larger role in the Garbo film, Queen Christina(1933).  He performed in the films, Big house, The Lost World (1925),The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) and Missing Persons (1933).

In 1937, Stone began the role which would become his most famous, that of Judge James Hardy, in the Mickey Rooney "Andy Hardy" series. Stone performed as the judge in fifteen movies, beginning with You're Only Young Once (1937).

John Barrymore-Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) is a silent drama starring John Barrymore, Brandon Hurst, Nita Naldi and Martha Mansfield. Directed by John S. Robertson and adapted from the 1886 horror novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, this film is about a scientist who searches for a way to separate the good and the evil in a man. Set in 19th century England, Henry Jekyll, played by John Barrymore, is an idealistic and philanthropic doctor of medicine who spends his time conducting experiments in his laboratory attached to his home and treats his patients at a free clinic for the poor at his own expense. Jekyll is engaged to Millicent Carewe, played by Martha Mansfield. At a dinner gathering at the Carewe home, Millicent's father, Sir George Carewe, played by Brandon Hurst, suggests to Jekyll the possibilities of man living by his instincts yet having another side to his nature. Carewe later accompanies Jekyll to a London music hall where they watch a flirtatious young dancer named Gina, played by Nita Naldi, perform. For the first time in his life, Jekyll awakens to the sense of "his baser emotions." Spending days and nights in his laboratory with his experiments, Jekyll concocts a potion that transforms him into Edward Hyde, an uninhibited rogue with murderous intent. Hyde begins a relationship with the sultry Gina and makes her life miserable. He goes on a murderous rampage and takes control over Jekyll's soul. Jekyll finds over time that it is becoming more and more difficult to separate his two personas. Jekyll becomes a recluse and spends less time with Millicent. When Jekyll's antidote supply runs out to return to his gentler self he tries to fight the urge of evil. Will Jekyll be able to overcome the forces of evil?

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was one of John Barrymore's greatest hits. To turn into Mr. Hyde, Barrymore undergoes a famous on-screen transformation, done without makeup alterations until the moment when a cut provides the viewer with a medium close-up in which he has added warts, new hair, and a false nose. It's amazing how the handsome young man is replaced by an older person with a demonic stare. His eyes now look crazy. His mouth is fixed into an evil grin, and his hands are like claws. A cut then takes the viewer close, and hideous makeup has been added to completely alter his appearance. To watch Barrymore enact this transformation without sound effects, color filters, or camera tricks is an impressive experience. Barrymore's greatest strength as a silent film actor lay in his ability to change physically right before the audience's eyes. Unlike Lon Chaney, Barrymore's changes were more psychological than physical. His transformation from tormented doctor to violent madman shows his tremendous range as an actor. Another memorable moment onscreen is watching Jekyll sleeping in his bed dreaming of being attacked by a ghostly spider crawling upon him. This 1920 production featuring Barrymore remains the best of the adaptations produced during the silent era and the most famous. This film also firmly established Barrymore's film career. What impressed me the most of this version is its horror atmosphere, with the studio sets of the foggy lamplit London slums. Transcending the lack of sound and scratchy picture, this film is worth watching for Barrymore's amazing dual performance as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

It is interesting to note that while filming "The Warrens of Virginia" (1924) in San Antonio, Texas, Martha Mansfield's voluminous 1860's costume went up in flames when a smoker carelessly tossed a match in her direction. She was rushed to a hospital with severe burns; there was virtually no chance of survival. Mansfield died at noon the following day, November 30, 1923. She was 24 years old.

John Barrymore-"Eternal Love" (1929)

"Eternal Love" (1929) is a silent romantic drama starring John Barrymore, Camilla Horn, and Victor Varconi. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, this film is about how the jealousy of others can destroy a couple's happy plans. The story begins in 1806, when France and Austria are fighting one another and the Swiss village of Pontresina is caught in the middle. The French military officers demand that all men in the village surrender their weapons. All the men immediately surrender their weapons except for hunter Marcus Paltran, played by John Barrymore, a loner who is in love with Ciglia, played by Camilla Horn, the niece of the town priest, Reverend Tass, played by Hobart Bosworth. Marcus is pursued by Pia, played by Mona Rico, a wild mountain girl whose interest in him is purely sexual. Marcus is hunting for his dinner in the mountains when the villagers hear his gun noise after they had given up their guns. As Marcus is leaving the mountains with his meat, Pia shows up just to flirt with him and this annoys him. By the time he is back in the village, everybody is pressuring him to give up his gun. Marcus refuses until Ciglia persuades him for the safety of their village. Shortly after the French army is driven from the village, the villagers celebrate by throwing a masked ball with a great deal of liquor. After getting drunk at the masked ball, Marcus makes a pass at Ciglia. In a moment of anger, she rejects him. Marcus leaves only to run into Pia who takes advantage of the situation to seduce him. They end up in Marcus's bed together. When Ciglia and Marcus decide to get married with her father's consent it is spoiled when Pia finds out and tells her mother that she and Marcus spent one night together. Pia's mother wastes no time in telling Reverend Tass about what happened between her daughter and Marcus. At this point, Marcus is forced by Reverend Tass to give up Ciglia and marry Pia. Ciglia is heartbroken until Lorenz Gruber, played by Victor Varconi, starts courting her. They end up getting married, but Ciglia is still in love with Marcus. When he realizes that Ciglia is still in love with Marcus, Lorenz decides to murder his rival. How will this love quadrangle end?

The late silent film era in Hollywood saw a number of artistic films made by European directors. F.W. Murnau's "Sunrise" (1927) is perhaps the most obvious example, but Ernst Lubitsch's "Eternal Love" (1929) is definitely in that category. This film has all the elements of a German film. Mountain backgrounds and dark shadows in the film are elements that were created in German cinema and later destroyed by the Nazis. "Eternal Love" is a visually beautiful film which is derived mainly from the outstanding cinematography of Oscar-winner Charles Rosher, who covers the depths of interiors in gloom and shows the actors in sharp detail. Filmed not in Switzerland but in the Canadian Rockies, Lubitsch makes the most of both setting and starring actors. Lubitsch's earlier work back in Germany showed his skill in various kinds of comedies. Even though "Eternal Love" is a romantic drama, the Lubitsch sophistication is definitely there. Both John Barrymore and Camilla Horn give top-notch performances. Matinee idol John Barrymore could always play a role in which he conveyed passionate love so magnificently. With such a beautiful setting, intense plot, and Lubitsch's expert direction, "Eternal Love" is one of the gems of the late silent era that deserves a viewing.

Midnight(1939).

Midnight (1939). Romantic/comedy. Director: Mitchell Leisen. Written by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder based on a story by Edwin Justus Mayer and Franz Schulz. Cast: Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and John Barrymore.



Eve Peabody an American showgirl, finds herself stranded in Paris one rainy night. Eve makes a deal with cab driver Tibor Czerny, to double his fee for driving her from nightclub to nightclub looking for a job.

Eve, decides to run away from him when it looks like he is becoming interested in her. She hides from him at a charity event and attracts the attention of, millionaire Georges Flammarion.

The adventure begins after Georges gives her the title of the Baroness Czerny, Eve finds herself in a room at the Ritz, with beautiful clothes and a chauffeured limousine.

Later that morning, Georges,shows up at the Ritz to offer Eve the job of taking Jacques away from Helen. She accepts the job and his weekend invitation at his home.

That same day, Tibor has organized the cab drivers of Paris to find Eve and on a tip, he finds her at the Flammarion chateau. Just as Helen is about to expose Eve as an impostor, Tibor arrives as the Baron to claim his wife. Will they be able to keep up the crazy charade?

Favorite quote:

Eve Peabody: (at the ball) Don't forget, every Cinderella has her midnight.

I love this film and I thought the story was magical. Once again, Claudette Colbert shows that she is a wonderful comedian. This maybe one of my favorite Don Ameche performances. Mary Astor combines beauty and meanness in her performance.

Elaine Barrie(July 16, 1915 – March 1, 2003), performed in several films and one Broadway play. She was  actor John Barrymore's fourth, and last, wife. Barrie claimed to have fallen in love with Barrymore in 1931, when she was 16, after seeing his film, the classic Svengali.

They did marry five years later, but the marriage was a rocky one and they divorced in 1940.

She performed in one of her husband's films and made two shorts (one of which, How to Undress in Front of Your Husband 1937), was made by low-rent exploitation legend Dwain Esper) capitalizing on her status as Barrymore's wife.

She also co-starred with Barrymore on Broadway and in several radio dramas.

After the divorce Barrie wrote a book about her life with Barrymore, All My Sins Remembered, and took a job at a New York brokerage firm. She was born and died in New York City, New York.

Dolores Costello

Silent, Is this Dolores Costello in a white wig?

John Barrymore "When a Man Loves" (1927)

"When a Man Loves" (1927) is a silent romantic drama starring John Barrymore, Dolores Costello, and Warner Oland. Directed by Alan Crosland and adapted from the 18th-century novel "Manon Lescaut" by Abbe Prevost, this film is about an aspiring priest who abandons his calling for the lovely Manon Lescaut. The story begins in an old French cathedral town during the reign of Louis XV where Fabien des Grieux, played by John Barrymore, is studying to become a priest. One spring morning, virginal Manon Lescaut, played by Dolores Costello, arrives at the convent. When Fabien sees Manon, it is love at first sight. Meanwhile, Manon's scheming brother Andre Lescaut, played by Warner Oland, decides to prostitute her. Fabien overhears Andre's plot and runs off with Manon to Paris. After living together in a boarding house for one week, the lovers are separated through the intervention of Andre who later sells Manon to Comte Guillot de Morfontaine. Manon soon becomes against her will the mistress of Morfontaine. Just when Fabien is about to go into the priesthood he finds out that Manon will be deported to Louisiana as a prisoner not only by spurned lover Morfontaine but also by King Louis XV of France. Will Fabien be able to rescue Manon before it is too late? John Barrymore was teamed up with his lovely wife, Dolores Costello, in "When a Man Loves." Warner's scriptwriters stopped short of the book's final tragedy in New Orleans but not before they have Barrymore as the maddened Fabien fighting with sword and inciting a whole cageful of prisoners to take over the prison ship in a spree of carnage. "When a Man Loves" was Barrymore's third and final film in a three picture deal with Warner Brothers and it followed the better known "Don Juan." Barrymore had become Warner's most prestigious property, and they billed him as "The World's Greatest Actor." Barrymore's acting ability was never questioned in Hollywood, and he was always treated with the respect that his theatrical lineage and triumphs brought to the screen. With his extraordinary good looks, Barrymore would inevitably become a matinee idol, known as "The Great Profile."


In his role as Fabien, Barrymore remains the master of stage acting which he shrewdly adapts to the screen. He has stage presence and stands out from the other actors. Barrymore could also take the tiniest gesture, like the raising of one eyebrow, and make it huge. I was quite moved by the way Barrymore's Fabien comes to the rescue of his beloved Manon every time she is in danger. In the swashbuckling action scenes, Barrymore is tough and full of fire. His performance in these scenes reminds me of Errol Flynn in "Robin Hood" a decade later. Dolores Costello gives a first-rate performance and has great chemistry with Barrymore. Their love scenes together are so touching and romantic. It is incomprehensible to me that this film is almost never seen. It is a major studio obscurity even though it has top-notch production values with sumptuous costumes and sets. "When a Man Loves" had a Vitaphone pre-recorded soundtrack with musical score and sound effects. This silent gem ab
out a love that endures despite overwhelming obstacles is the perfect film to watch on Valentine's Day.

* It is interesting to note that Drew Barrymore is the granddaughter of John Barrymore and Dolores Costello as well as the great-niece of Ethel Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore.