Plot Summary: Maurice Chevalier plays a 19th century Viennese
lieutenant, conducting an affair with
sexy violinist Claudette Colbert. While publicly flirting with Colbert,
Chevalier is spotted by a dowdy princess (Miriam Hopkins), who thinks that
the lieutenant's wink was meant for her. Forced to marry the Princess,
Chevalier despairs at her lack of charm. But good-hearted Colbert takes
the princess aside, dolls her up, and instructs her how to bewitch--and
keep--her man. Chevalier is enchanted by the "new" princess,
while Colbert, who will have no trouble finding someone else to keep her
warm and comfortable, cheerfully sashays out of his life. Long thought
lost, The Smiling Lieutenant was rediscovered in an East European vault
in the 1970s. -- Hal Erickson
with
sexy violinist Claudette Colbert. While publicly flirting with Colbert,
Chevalier is spotted by a dowdy princess (Miriam Hopkins), who thinks that
the lieutenant's wink was meant for her. Forced to marry the Princess,
Chevalier despairs at her lack of charm. But good-hearted Colbert takes
the princess aside, dolls her up, and instructs her how to bewitch--and
keep--her man. Chevalier is enchanted by the "new" princess,
while Colbert, who will have no trouble finding someone else to keep her
warm and comfortable, cheerfully sashays out of his life. Long thought
lost, The Smiling Lieutenant was rediscovered in an East European vault
in the 1970s. -- Hal Erickson