17%
6.5
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Synopsis
Victor Florescu is a talented, Brussels-based composer of serious music under the tutelage of respected Professor Bertier at the Music Conservatory. He is hoping to have his yet uncompleted operetta, "The Cat and the Fiddle", produced by famed impresario, Jules Daudet. Victor's focus in life changes when he meets Shirley Sheridan, a New Yorker just arrived in Brussels, she who moves into the pensione next to his own. He falls in love at first sight with her. She is also a composer - of the type of music more often heard in Tin Pan Alley - and is hoping to study with Professor Bertier. But it is Victor who helps her with her music. She also catches the attention of Daudet, who publishes her music although he is more interested in her as a woman. Regardless, she becomes rich and famous, and is required to move to Paris. In the short term, Victor, who moves to Paris with her, is more than willing to forgo his own musical aspirations to help her. But Victor is forced to choose between completing his operetta and being with Shirley, which may be all the more difficult a decision with Daudet waiting in the wings to be the one and only man in Shirley's life. —Huggo.
Uploaded By: FREEMAN
Aug 15, 2021 at 08:58 PM
Director
Cast
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Frank Morgan
as Daudet
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Jeanette MacDonald
as Shirley
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Ramon Novarro
as Victor
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Sterling Holloway
as Flower Messenger
grade Movie Reviews
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Ramon and Jeanette, an unlikely team
Silent screen star Ramon Novarro teams up with Jeanette MacDonald in "The Cat and the Fiddle," a 1934 musical film. The film also stars Jean Hersholt, Frank Morgan, and Vivienne Segal.The story concerns two songwriters, one from a classical background, Victor Florescu (Novarro, and one assumes from that last name, he's from Roumania), and Shirley Sheridan (MacDonald) a young woman from a popular songwriting background who meet. He falls madly in love with her, even turning down a major opportunity with an impresario (Morgan) who turns out to be more interested in Jeanette as a girlfriend.Eventually Victor wins over Shirley, and the two move in together. Now, I thought the code came in earlier than this, but it appears I'm wrong. I was very surprised when later in the movie, she suggests that they get married because I thought they already were.Her song becomes a huge hit. Eventually he succumbs to the impresario's pressure to get him out of the picture by breaking up with Shirley. He is convinced that he is holding her back. Victor then gets a big opportunity when a star (Segal) agrees to appear in his operetta. When he refuses to be seduced by her, her husband gives her a choice, the operetta or him, Mr. Money Bags, and she leaves with her husband. Now he's stuck, and he owes money to boot.This film ran something like one hour and thirty minutes and seemed longer than Battleship Potemkin. This mainly had to do with the casting of Navarro who could just about carry a tune, and when he did, his voice had a tremelo faster than a butterfly's wings.Jeanette MacDonald, of course, is luminous - beautiful, charming, and in great voice. Navarro did just not have what it took to be her leading man. As stiff as Nelson Eddy was, there was something about the two of them together that had real chemistry. No such thing here.This is a movie, as someone said here, for Jeanette MacDonald fans only. She's always worth watching, and someone here also mentioned seeing her do King & I. I'm envious.
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Bubbly, Over-Looked, Pre-Code Musical Gem
This is a delightful, free-spirited musical gem from MGM. It has the feel of the risque Paramount musicals of the era. Jeanette MacDonald and Ramon Novarro are lovers who co-habitat (not an issue here!) and nurture each other in their respective musical careers. Jerome Kern's score is wonderful -- the kind of tunes that stay with you, "Try to Forget", "The Night Was Made For Love", "She Didn't Say Yes". Great dialogue and comic relief and a few emotional snarls give the film some complexity. The musical numbers are innovative and interestingly filmed -- they compliment the score. The atmosphere in Brussels is highlighted by a variety of characters in the arts community. The film has a musical fluidity. Other than the stilted staging of the 3-strip Technicolor ending, this film deserves more attention.
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Two Stars Shine in Forgotten Musical
Two struggling young composers share adjoining pensions in Brussels. A romance ensues, and they soon find themselves sharing more than just the view. When the lady finds success, the gentleman departs, seeking for fame of his own. Fate conspires to keep them apart - can they ever, like THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE, make sweet music together?Although virtually forgotten today, this musical romance has much to recommend it, including sophisticated performances from its two stars, Ramon Novarro & Jeanette MacDonald. The lavish production values may have been the Studio's way of pumping MacDonald in this, her first MGM film. Both of the stars exude charm & handle the Kern/Hammerstein score quite nicely. This would be their only film together. MacDonald would soon begin her celebrated collaboration with Nelson Eddy and become one of the Studio's superstars. Not so for Novarro. Although he gives a fine performance here, after only two more (negligible) films, Novarro would be released from his MGM contract. Tastes in male leads had shifted away from the Latin Lover, but also the Studio bosses were doubtless concerned that Novarro's private life might prove a scandal and an embarrassment, a la William Haines. Be that as it may, THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE would prove to be Novarro's last decent starring role.Some very fine supporting actors appear: Charles Butterworth, as a befuddled benefactor; Jean Hersholt, as a kindly music professor; Henry Armetta, as a furious cab driver; and Frank Morgan, as a comically lecherous impresario. In unbilled roles, movie mavens will recognize Paul Porcasi, as an unfriendly cafe owner; Herman Bing, as the speechless leader of the Fireman's Band; Sterling Hollowly, as a delivery boy; and Christian Rub, as a stage actor.Best song? `The Night Was Made For Love.' The film segues into eye-pleasing early Technicolor for the final scene.
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