La marcha nupcial

Prince Nicki (Erich von Stroheim), a young aristocrat in financial troubles who mostly likes to spend on women and gambling. His parents refuse to give him any more money and tell him to marry some rich woman. Nicki agrees. While his parents are on the lookout for a potential wife, Nicki meets Mitzi (Fay Wray). They secretly start courting behind the back of their parents, and her rude fiance. Meanwhile, a wealthy factory owner Scweisser makes an offer to Nicki's father - Nicki must marry his daughter Cecelia (Zasu Pitts), with a heavy limp.

Sounds like a simple royal love affair? Well, it's von Stroheim - there are plenty more.

The shooting of 'The Wedding March' was halted by the studio because von Stroheim spent too much money and time on elaborate sets and reshooting scenes. Again. The film was cut together from the footage he had already shot. This is probably the reason why the story moves forward much faster in the second half of the movie. Zasu Pitts's screen time is quite limited, but she manages to make a lasting effect even with the little time she has. Erich von Stroheim usually shines as sinister types, but here he proves that he can pull off quite charming and sympathetic characters as well. True stars in this one (besides von Stroheim's directorial genius) are Fay Wray as Mitzi and Matthew Betz as her fiance Schani.

'The Wedding March' is not the masterpiece it could have been, but it stands as just another testament of Erich von Stroheim's talents.