Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo
Paramount, 1930, B/W, 90 minutes, ****
Released August, 1930


On the verge of marrying a prince (Claude Allister), countess Helene Mara (Jeanette MacDonald) runs away, boarding the "Blue Express" train for Monte Carlo. In Monaco, with little money left, MacDonald checks into a posh hotel, and is spotted immediately in the casino by a wealthy count (Buchanan) who believes that touching MacDonald's golden tresses will bring him good luck. But when Buchanan strokes MacDonald's hair, it's the countess who begins winning magically.


Produced and Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
Screenplay: Ernest Vajda
From "The Blue Coast" by Hans Muller
And an episode from "Monsieur Beaucaire" by Booth Tarkington and Evelyn Greenleaf Sutherland
Additional dialogue by Vincent Lawrence
Lyrics and Music by: Leo Robin, Richard A. Whiting and W. Franke Harling
Musical Score: W. Franke Harling and Richard Whiting
Costume Design: Travis Banton
Sound: Harry D. Mills
Photographed by: Victor Milner
Film Editing: Merrill G. White

Cast: Jack Buchanan [Count Rudolph Farriere], Jeanette MacDonald [Countess Helene Mara], Claude Allister [Duke Otto von Liebenheim], ZaSu Pitts [Bertha, the Countess' Maid], Tyler Brooke [Armand], John Roche [Paul, the Hairdresser], Lionel Belmore [Count Gustav von Liebenheim], Albert Conti [Master of Ceremonies], Helen Garden [Lady Mary in Stage Opera], Donald Novis [Monsieur Beaucaire in Stage Opera], Eric Bye [Lord Winterset], David Percy [Herald], Additional Cast: Billy Bevan [Train Conductor], Sidney Bracey [Hunchback at Casino], Frances Dee [Receptionist], Rolfe Sedan [Hairdresser], John Carroll [Wedding Guest Officer], Geraldine Dvorak [Extra in Casino]

Musical Program: [0:02] Day of Days (sung by Chorus); [0:06] She'll Love Me and Like It (sung by Claude Allister and Chorus); [0:11] Beyond the Blue Horizon (sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Chorus); [0:22] Give Me a Moment Please (sung by Jack Buchanan and Jeanette MacDonald over the telephone); [0:29] Trimmin' the Women (sung by Jack Buchanan, Tyler Brooke and John Roche); [0:42] Whatever It Is, It's Grand (sung by Jack Buchanan and Jeanette MacDonald); [0:48] She'll Love Me and Like It (reprised by Claude Allister and Jeanette MacDonald); [0:53] Always in All Ways (sung by Jack Buchanan and Jeanette MacDonald); [1:03] Give Me a Moment Please / Always in All Ways (reprised by Jack Buchanan and Jeanette MacDonald); [1:19] Monsieur Beaucaire (the opera - David Percy, Helen Garden, Erik Bey, Donald Novis and Chorus); [1:29] Beyond the Blue Horizon (reprised Jeanette MacDonald, Jack Buchanan and Chorus)