There is a reason this is a rarely seen Betty Grable movie. It is not a typical Betty Grable movie.
While it is a beautifully filmed technicolor movie, it is NOT a Musical. Though, it does have a few very brief spoken word songs by Grable.
I suspect that Fox was trying to broaden Grable's appeal. They tried to give her something which would showcase her "acting abilities". Grable was a very talented entertainer - but she was NOT an accomplished actress. No movie more clearly shows this than "That Lady in Ermine".
In fairness, I doubt that anyone could have made a success out of this muddled mess of a plot. It is a preposterous mess with gaping plot holes large enough for the Hungarian cavalry to ride through.
The movie is set in 1860, in a small European principality called Bergamo. Betty is the current head of State. On her wedding night her country is invaded by the Hungarians led by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Yes, Fairbanks is called upon to play the part of a Hungarian... with absolutely no touch of Hungarian accent. In an ironic twist of fate, Fairbanks falls immediately in love with a photo of Grable's Grandmother. And, then the movie starts to get ridiculous.
The movie is still worth watching - if you are prepared for it to make absolutely no sense at all.
While it is a beautifully filmed technicolor movie, it is NOT a Musical. Though, it does have a few very brief spoken word songs by Grable.
I suspect that Fox was trying to broaden Grable's appeal. They tried to give her something which would showcase her "acting abilities". Grable was a very talented entertainer - but she was NOT an accomplished actress. No movie more clearly shows this than "That Lady in Ermine".
In fairness, I doubt that anyone could have made a success out of this muddled mess of a plot. It is a preposterous mess with gaping plot holes large enough for the Hungarian cavalry to ride through.
The movie is set in 1860, in a small European principality called Bergamo. Betty is the current head of State. On her wedding night her country is invaded by the Hungarians led by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Yes, Fairbanks is called upon to play the part of a Hungarian... with absolutely no touch of Hungarian accent. In an ironic twist of fate, Fairbanks falls immediately in love with a photo of Grable's Grandmother. And, then the movie starts to get ridiculous.
The movie is still worth watching - if you are prepared for it to make absolutely no sense at all.