User reviews

It must be 35 years or so since I saw this film in an "Art House" Theatre. But it still has left one, strong, lingering impression.

There is one scene on the dance floor that took my breath away. Power is wearing a tailcoat and white tie. Young is in a satin floor length gown that clung to even inch of her elegant form. They were dancing like a young god and goddess.

I remember thinking, "At that moment in time, they had to be the two most beautiful people on the face of the earth." I recall nothing else about the film save this moment. But it's quite sufficient.

Sometimes, all it takes is just one scene to leave an impression that makes the memory of a film vivid for decades. In an era when class and style are neither appreciated, celebrated or understood, a film like this is a reminder of these words mean -- or at least meant.

A broke American is forced to pose as a Russian prince in order to pay a gambling debt in "Cafe Metropole," a film written by the multi-talented Gregory Ratoff, who also plays a role in the movie.

This is a funny, light, romantic comedy where the best scenes are saved for the character actors Charles Winninger and Helen Westley, who have great banter. Menjou is a duplicitous restaurateur who blackmails Tyrone Power into going along with his scheme; Loretta Young, romanced by Power, is the beautiful daughter of Charles Winninger.

If you're a shallow person, this is the movie for you because it's Eye Candy City. Power and Young, two people very, very high on any "most beautiful" list, are so ethereally, incalculably gorgeous that it's hard to listen to a word they're saying while they're on screen. And Young's fashions are divine '30s couturier.

This is one of Power's very early films; he was only 22 when it was made, and though only a year older than he was, Young had been around since silent film days. For me, Power's looks reached their full dazzle about two to three years later but if you only saw him in Cafe Metropole, you'd have a hard time believing there could be any improvement in that face. And in a tuxedo for so much of the movie. Almost too much of a good thing.

Anyway, if you can concentrate, Cafe Metropole is a delightful film.

As a bit of trivia, Power and Young made several films together in Power's early days at Fox. They remained friends, and in 1958, Young showed up for Power's funeral straight from filming her TV show, decked out and unrecognizable in Oriental garb and makeup to match.

In the late '70s, she was photographed with Power's son, Ty, Jr., and you would swear you'd gone back in time. His resemblance to his father was so striking, and she was still so very beautiful.

Cafe Metropole finds Adolphe Menjou owner of said title in some trouble. He's got to replace some money he took from the business or go to prison and he's got ten days before his crime is discovered. He thinks he's won it back from a certain American playboy, but when the check is admittedly false, Menjou has a problem.

Adolphe's a clever dude though, he uses the inebriated playboy who is Tyrone Power and tells him to woo and win it from an American girl, Loretta Young traveling in Paris with her parents Charles Winninger and Helen Westley. Be an exiled Russian nobleman, there are so many of them running around Paris these days.

As a romantic Ty can't be beat, but he's certainly one unconvincing Russian going in and out of his accent in the same sentence. But he and Young do hit it off. And why wouldn't Young fall for him, it's Tyrone Power.

Cafe Metropole is an amusing comedy of sorts with a Parisian setting recreated on 20th Century Fox's back lot. Just the kind of entertainment the movie-going public wanted, escapist stuff about Americans enjoying the good life with absolutely no hint of a rumor of a Depression out there. This also showed Ty Power's versatility in handling modern comedy as well as period drama. It holds up well today as people are still embezzling and trying all kinds of madcap schemes to cover and recover.

Cafe Metropole (1937)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Decent comedy about the American Alexis (Tyrone Power) who loses a big bet to Monsieur Victor (Adolphe Menjou) and afterwards has to admit that he doesn't have the money to pay up. Through what's basically blackmail, Victor forces Alexis to romance the beautiful and rich Laura (Loretta Young) so that she will marry him and in return Alexis can pay Victor. CAFE METROPOLE offers up a terrific cast but sadly the screenplay is just a tad bit too silly and too far-fetched to be believable. Yes, you might argue that any type of comedy can be silly as long as it makes you laugh and this is certainly true but there's not enough laughs here to really call this a comedy and what happens at the end is just so out of touch with reality that you really can't help but roll your eyes. However, the two leads are in fine form and manage to have that wonderful chemistry that they did throughout their careers. Power isn't believable playing "Russian" but this here isn't all that important as I can overlook this as part of the comedy. Young is as charming as ever and just floats with her grace on camera. The two of them have that good chemistry together and help keep the film moving. Menjou is also good in his supporting role even though the screenplay does very little to actually help him. I think the film works best early on when we see Power and Menjou going after one another as they try to solve the issue with the money. Once Young enters the picture you have the before mentioned chemistry but the screenplay just becomes too wacky for its own good. I think a dose of reality would have really helped things and the various crosses in the final fifteen-minutes just don't work. Still, fans of the three stars will still want to check this one out.

One can see why the studio couldn't help pairing Tyrone Power and Loretta Young - very attractively matched. They were quite taken with their new acquisition of Mr. Power, their answer to Clark Gable, et al, and gave him preferential handling over some of their proved ones, like Ms. Young, who had been a faithful producer for them for some time prior to this. Not only did Mr. Power quickly out-bill her, he also out-earned her, naturally something of an angst to her. He was rather spectacular looking as a young man, but to my mind, did not age as well as some of his counterparts. This is a delightful tale with a lot of fun from several quarters. Helen Westley was my all-around favorite, being, to me, an absolutely diverting woman always in whatever way. Coupled with papa, their segments were among my favorites. Adophe Menjou was faithfully fulfilling with his impish charm here. Very fun film.

The film has a grand setting - Café Metropole - and owner Adolphe Menjou (Victor) is by far the best in the cast. He leads proceedings and is very funny. Unfortunately, it is just not enough to save the film from it's ludicrous and complicated storyline. I also understand that Bojangles Robinson had an entertaining dance routine cut. Why? This may have helped save the film.

Tyrone Power (Alexander) is coerced into pretending to be a Russian Prince in order to fleece a wealthy American family consisting of Loretta Young (Laura) and her father and aunt. This is so that Menjou can pay off his debts. Obviously, Power and Young are the lovebirds who fall for one another but you will scratch your head if you try to actually follow what goes on. The story not only falls flat in terms of entertainment but worse, it doesn't make any sense. You then notice that the characters are quite annoying, especially the shouty ones - stand up and take a bow Loretta Young (that dreadful scene on the bed) and Gregory Ratoff (who plays a waiter but is actually the Russian prince that Power is impersonating!!) for being the most annoying and taking unfunny histrionics to a completely unnecessary level. Here is a tip - shouting and screaming is not funny. Nor is it entertaining.

My wife enjoyed the film more than I did. I can see that the glamour of the film can score it a point but it must be noted that Menjou is the real star over the two leads. The film suddenly just gets dull and you realize you are watching a lot of shouting and the story has got woefully complicated and doesn't make sense.

Tyrone Power shows his considerable comic flare in his role as a young American in Paris who is blackmailed into posing as a Russian prince to court a wealthy heiress (Loretta Young). The script is extremely witty with fast-paced, sharp dialogue that keeps the viewer in stitches from start to finish. Highly recommended! Unfortunately, this movie is not available on video, but it is played on the Fox Movie Channel from time to time.

Explaining the plot to Café Metropole will sound a little complicated, but if you liked Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, or its original Bedtime Stories, you'll probably like this predecessor and offshoot. Tyrone Power owes a huge gambling debt to restaurant owner Adolphe Menjou, and rather than face jail time for writing a bad check, he agrees to Adolphe's plan: impersonate a Russian prince and woo a wealthy American tourist, then get the money out of her.

It doesn't matter that Ty's Russian accent isn't perfect, because he's supposed to be just as unconvincing as he is handsome. Loretta Young plays the target, and while she immediately falls in love with him, her father Charles Winninger and aunt Helen Westley are suspicious of the smooth young man. I would have preferred a different leading lady, as I've only been able to stand Loretta Young in one movie, and this isn't it. Her talent turns her character into an immature, undesirable child, and her delivery of every line sounds enormously condescending. Charlie and Helen are very cute in this movie, so if you liked them in the previous year's Show Boat, you'll love them in this. Adolphe is given some great lines, and unlike the female lead in the film, he doesn't squander them. In the first scene, he helps a pie-eyed Ty out of his restaurant. "Why two hats?" the drunken and double-visioned Ty asks when Adolphe tries to get him dressed and off the premises. "It's the fashion this season, sir," Adolphe glibly explains, showing the audience that he'll do anything to maintain the dignity of his restaurant. Check out this comedy if you like the cast. You'll also be treated to a very cute theme from Louis Silvers throughout the movie!

Tyrone Power and Loretta Young always worked beautifully together when paired together. Anything that has Adolphe Menjou in it in a type of role that he played so well immediately has me sold, in fact there is a very talented cast here. Haven't seen an awful lot of Edward H. Griffith's work it has to be confessed, the little that has been seen didn't wow me. Do like romance and comedy a lot when done right, and both have been done very well and more individually and worked brilliantly together numerous times too.

'Cafe Metropole' is an example of both romance and comedy being done very well individually and also an example of both working harmoniously together. Anybody that loves Power, Young and their chemistry together should love it, as it is a very good representation of all three. 'Cafe Metropole' is a lot of fun and very charming with a lot to like, as far as Griffith's films go of the ones seen this compares very favourably indeed as at its best it did wow me in the way that others of his didn't.

Is it perfect? No. Some of the second half is not as good as the first. It does get quite silly and some of Laura's decision making didn't seem probable to me and strains credulity. Count me in as another person that didn't buy her not particularly realistic attitude when she falls in love with him when most would balk when learning the truth about someone they cared for. It made me come over as quite silly and naive.

Still, there is so much done right in 'Cafe Metropole'. Power may not be remotely believable as a Russian, then again the premise doesn't call for him to be that, but he more than makes up for it with his dashing charm, his charisma (neither lightweight or too heavy) and witty comic timing. The character of Laura may be problematic in the second half, but Young is throughout incredibly charming and sparkles in the delivery of the comedy. She and Power work beautifully together, one can feel the love between them. Menjou does suave and smarmy so well as usual and Charles Winninger and Helen Westley have very funny moments and great chemistry. Gregory Ratoff is amusing though his role is not large.

Griffith's direction of the films seen is some of his more inspired, as he keeps the pace going at a lively pace, stops the film from getting too frothy and the comedy isn't done with too heavy a hand. 'Cafe Metropole' looks stylish and elegant with Power and Young looking lovely in their beautiful clothes. The script sparkles, with the romantic parts being truly adorable and easy to get behind and the comedy bursting with wit. The story strains credulity later on, but the first half especially is immensely engaging and has so much charm and heart.

To conclude, really enjoyed it. 8/10

The character players are the best here. Adolph Menjou was generally reliable and here he is plausible as a shady restaurateur. Charles Winninger and Helen Westley are somewhat amusing as Americans. (This takes place in Paris.) Gregory Ratoff is less interesting. He was Russian but if his Russian dialogue is legitimate, I must have misheard my Russian grandparents and wasted four years in Russian class at an Ivy league school. (And both are possible. The point is, he is not well directed.) Tyrone Power seems uncomfortable as the male lead. Loretta Young's character is written well. It is probably the most complex in the movie. And she was almost always good.

Somehow she doesn't seem to have filmed well, albeit often in soft focus. She was one of the greatest beauties in Hollywood history and had a long, illustrious career. Here, though, her overbite is very noticeable and she seems unnecessarily thin.

Nothing about the movie is offensive but it never really convinces.

The top billing casting Tyrone Power and Loretta Young play a normal roles in this romantic comedy, actually a couple of guys stolen the show, firstly the smart and cynical manager Adolphe Menjou and second Gregory Ratoff playing a no longer Russian Prince, but who still have a name to protect your honor when see a fancy phony guy use your name he decided make something to secure the long royal dynasty, well crafted plot on a fantastic movie from the past and glorious days!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2017 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8

"Café Metropole" is a very good 1937 comedy romance with top stars of the day. Besides Loretta Young, Tyrone Power and Adolphe Menjou in the leads, a solid cast of supporting actors provide good grist for this film. Among them are Charles Winninger, Gregory Ratoff, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Christian Rub, Leonid Kinskey and Helen Westley.

For the handsome leading male that he was, Tyrone Power didn't make many comedies, probably for good reason. His role as Alexander Brown, aka Alexis, had potential for some very good comedy, especially with his constant switching from accent to his normal voice. Yet, Power seems serious in several scenes with Young that otherwise are light and funny. One can't help but imagine any of several other actors who would have brought some sparkle and more laughter and smiles to this role - William Powell, Melvyn Douglas, Fred MacMurray, Cary Grant or Ray Milland, for example.

Winninger has a pretty meaty role, still in early sound years of his wonderful career as a mostly comedy actor. But the accolades of this film belong to Adolphe Menjou and Loretta Young. Young is her often ebullient self in comedy and romance films, and she lights up every scene in which she appears as Laura Ridgeway. Behind her natural sweetness, Laura is no dummy. And, not that there are dark scenes, but the slightly serious drama parts of the film center around Menjou's Monsieur Victor.

Victor is a real shyster, but a character with mixed personas of a villain, a kind-hearted fellow, a manipulator and con artist. The comedy bridges all of these personas at intervals. But make no mistake about it - no matter how it seems on the surface, everything he does is for Victor. He can handle any situation and is a principal employer of the disenfranchised nobility of Eastern Europe, including Russians. This is a very fun and funny film with snappy and very witty lines scattered throughout. Victor's vanity is hilarious in some of the dialog, while Margaret Ridgeway gets in some good zingers on her brother and Laura's dad, Joseph.

The ending is very funny, and close to screwball comedy. Here are some favorite lines.

Alexis, as the tipsy Alexander Brown, "Victor, you are unquestionably the greatest man in Paris." Monsieur Victor, "I have never denied it, sir."

Alexis, as Alexander Brown, "Do you know anything about that great American institution called taxes?" Monsieur Victor,, "I've been taxing Americans for a long time."

Joseph Ridgeway, "I have but one rule about titles. If they're charming, they're fakes. If they're genuine, they're stupid." Laura Ridgeway, "There he goes again."

Joseph Ridgeway, "The only genuine title that I ever met was that baron that married Frank Crawford's daughter. And he was the dumbest, stupidest, most boring dope that it's ever been my misfortune to shake hands with."

Joseph Ridgeway, "Is this fellow a Russian too?" Monsieur Victor, "Oh yes sir, sir." Margaret Ridgeway, "Then why isn't he driving a taxi?"

Margaret Ridgeway, "Sounds like a royal pickup to me."

Monsieur Victor, bowing, "Your highness, get up! She's consented to dance with you." Alexis, "Who asked her?" Victor, kicking Alexis' foot under the table, "You did -- with an accent."

Alexis, "My accent, she comes and goes, comes and goes, comes and goes."

Laura, "And dogs, do you like dogs?" Alexis, "Oh, yes. Yes, I, I love the Russian wolfhound."

Monsieur Victor, "There are times, Maxl, when I leave myself breathless with admiration." Maxl Schinner, "You leave me breathless, Victor, but not with admiration."

Laura Ridgeway, "By accident of birth, you were born a commoner. All right. By another accident of birth, he was born a prince. And so, you look down on him. Now, I ask you, is that fair?"

Paul, the real Prince Alexis Paneiff, "Victor, Victor! How could you fail to recognize the one who used to tip you in one evening enough money to pay my salary as a waiter for the entire year?" Monsieur Victor, "I can only beg pardon of your serene highness for the one blunder of my life." Paul, "Granted."

Paul, the real Prince Alexis Paneiff, "Why, I'd rather have my blood changed to borscht."

Paul, to Victor, "You I can forgive, because you are such an unmitigated scoundrel -- you might have been a member of my own family."

Alexis, "You can never tell about the Russians". Laura, "Tell what?" Alexis, "You can never tell anything."

Laura, "Well, there's something on your conscience. Have you killed someone?" Alexis, "No. No, that is the trouble. I should like to kill someone."

Margaret Ridgeway, "I consider his remarks unpatriotic. Our own clean-cut young American boys are just as anxious to marry money as the foreigners are."

Monsieur Victor, to Alexis, "That's the trouble with a flawless plan - there's always a flaw in it. In this case there are two - your conscience and my luck."

Joseph Ridgeway, "Get my coat, get my hat, get my sister." Page boy, "Yes, sir."

Margaret Ridgeway, translating the note to the police at Le Havre, "Arrest man posing as Joseph Ridgway aboard Normandie boat train. He is using a stolen passport and credentials. Suspected of being the notorious Smarty Pants Dugan, confidence man."

Margaret, "Well, I guess they got us at last, Smarty Pants." Joseph Ridgeeway, "Shut up!" Policeman, "Smarty Pants? Oh, so you are Smarty Pants."

Policeman, "But not you, madam." Margaret, "I'm his moll. Where he goes, I go - American gangster talk."

Joseph Ridgeway, "Maggie, let me tell you something. If you were a man, I'd punch you right I the puss."