Young Valerie models for an American painter who tries to make a future in Paris and they fall in love.Young Valerie models for an American painter who tries to make a future in Paris and they fall in love.Young Valerie models for an American painter who tries to make a future in Paris and they fall in love.
Emile Chautard
- Doorman
- (uncredited)
Albert Conti
- Strangeways Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Carrie Daumery
- Strangeways Party Guest
- (uncredited)
George Davis
- Charles - Dick's Butler
- (uncredited)
Julia Swayne Gordon
- Mrs. Strangeways
- (uncredited)
George Irving
- Doctor
- (uncredited)
Dolores Murray
- Queen at the Ball
- (uncredited)
Tom Ricketts
- Elderly Strangeways Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Marshall Ruth
- Strangeways Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMarion Shilling (Stephanie Brown) recalled from her time on set that Constance Bennett had a huge crush on co-star Joel McCrea and spent a lot of time alone with him in her trailer. Nevertheless, five months after production wrapped, Constance Bennett married Henri de la Falaise, the ex-husband of Gloria Swanson.
- Quotes
John Neville Sr.: You're getting more like your mother every day.
Mrs. Claire Collis: I should think that would make you very happy.
John Neville Sr.: It does. And a little apprehensive.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008)
Featured review
Constance through the Looking Glass
A professionally made and superbly acted reflection of what respectability was considered to be at time when the old world gave way to our modern one. It's the familiar 'can love survive across the class divide' story but done with class.
My only criticism is that Paul Stein's direction is quite humourless and unemotional so it doesn't engage with you that easily. It's much more realistic than typical 1931 pictures but that lack of melodrama doesn't quite give this as much impact as some of its contemporaries. It is however a great time capsule reflecting the sexual and class based hypocrisies that prevailed at the time.
Another silly frustration for any red blooded male is Stein's habit of banishing his camera to the furthest darkest distance possible from Miss Bennett when she takes her clothes off, it's actually a lot more prudish than you might expect from a film about a nude model in 1931! Although she's not especially alluring or erotic, Constance Bennett is pretty fabulous in this. You can see why she commanded such a massive salary - her acting is outstanding, she's totally convincing, you're not watching an actress, you're watching Valerie, a real person, a fairly modern person whom you can really relate to and sympathise with today.
A real benefit in this is Robert Williams who injects just the right amount of good humour as McCrea's friend. Such a tragedy that he died before his career really took off - he would easily have been as good in those best friend roles Frank McHugh or Charles Ruggles monopolised and very likely, a leading man; such a shame. His cheerful nature adds a necessary lightness to this picture because as good as it is, it is a little cold and dry.
My only criticism is that Paul Stein's direction is quite humourless and unemotional so it doesn't engage with you that easily. It's much more realistic than typical 1931 pictures but that lack of melodrama doesn't quite give this as much impact as some of its contemporaries. It is however a great time capsule reflecting the sexual and class based hypocrisies that prevailed at the time.
Another silly frustration for any red blooded male is Stein's habit of banishing his camera to the furthest darkest distance possible from Miss Bennett when she takes her clothes off, it's actually a lot more prudish than you might expect from a film about a nude model in 1931! Although she's not especially alluring or erotic, Constance Bennett is pretty fabulous in this. You can see why she commanded such a massive salary - her acting is outstanding, she's totally convincing, you're not watching an actress, you're watching Valerie, a real person, a fairly modern person whom you can really relate to and sympathise with today.
A real benefit in this is Robert Williams who injects just the right amount of good humour as McCrea's friend. Such a tragedy that he died before his career really took off - he would easily have been as good in those best friend roles Frank McHugh or Charles Ruggles monopolised and very likely, a leading man; such a shame. His cheerful nature adds a necessary lightness to this picture because as good as it is, it is a little cold and dry.
helpful•20
- 1930s_Time_Machine
- Dec 31, 2023
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Diosas de Montmartre
- Filming locations
- Paris, France(second unit, background and establishing shots)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $339,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 14 minutes
- Color
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