The Smiling Lieutenant

The Smiling Lieutenant


Paramount, 1931, B/W, 89 minutes, ***½

Premiere release July, 1931

General release August, 1931



Maurice Chevalier's randy Viennese lieutenant is enamored of Claudette Colbert's freethinking. But complications ensue when the sexually repressed princess of the fictional kingdom of Flausenthurm, played by newcomer Miriam Hopkins, sets her sights on him. The Smiling Lieutenant is a delightful showcase for its rising female stars, who are never more charming than when Colbert tunefully instructs Hopkins to "Jazz Up Your Lingerie."


A true gem of a movie! Miriam Hopkins and Claudette Colbert are so cute and charming they nearly steal the show from Chevalier (which is not an easy thing to do!). All of the cast is superb, and the story is lots of fun. Beautiful restoration! Produced and Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch

By: Ernest Vajda, Samson Raphaelson

Based upon "The Waltz Dream" by Leopold Jacobson and Feliz Dörman and the novel "Nux Der Prinzgemahl" by Hans Müller

Music by: Oscar Straus

Lyrics by: Clifford Grey

Photographed by: George Folsey



Cast: Maurice Chevalier [Niki], Claudette Colbert [Franzi], Miriam Hopkins [Princess Anna], Charlie Ruggles [Max], George Barbier [King Adolf XV], Hugh O'Connell [Orderly], Additional Cast: Janet Reade [Lily], Werner Saxtorph [Joseph], Lon MacSunday [Emperor], Robert Strange [Col. Rockoff], Charles Wagenheim [Arresting Officer], Harry C. Bradley [Count Von Halden], Elizabeth Patterson [Baroness von Schwedel], Maude Allen [Woman Attendant], Granville Bates [Bill Collector], Karl Stall [Master of Ceremonies]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:04] Toujours l'Amour in the Army (sung by Maurice Chevalier); [0:08] ? (played by The Viennese Swallows - Claudette Colbert and her all-girl band at the beer garden); [0:14] While Hearts Are Singing (played by Maurice Chevalier at the piano and Claudette Colbert on violin, segment sung by Claudette Colbert); [0:18] Breakfast Table Love (sung by Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert while having breakfast); [0:38] One More Hour of Love (sung by Maurice Chevalier and Cladette Colbert while dancing); [1:04] ? (played by The Viennese Swallows); [1:11] ? (played by Miriam Hopkins at the piano); [1:17] Jazz Up Your Lingerie (sung by Claudette Colbert and Miriam Hopkins); [1:28] Toujours l'Amour in the Army (reprised by Maurice Chevalier); "Live for Today" (not used); "What Can They Expect of Me (not used)