One of the greatest of the screen operattas. After a smashing debut in Austria, Franz Lehar's operetta "The Merry Widow" was brought to the US in 1907, became a silent two-reeler in 1912, then, in 1925, Erich von Stroheim directed Mae Murray and John Gilbert in an opulent, controversial version in which Clark Gable appeared as an extra. This version, however, is by far the best of the lot. Jeanette MacDonald, at the peak of her career, is Sonia, an immensely wealthy widow whose spending keeps the small country of Marshovia afloat economically. When she decides to move to Paris to find a suitable husband, the king (George Barbier) dispatches Danilo (Maurice Chevalier), whom he has caught dallying with Queen Dolores (Una Merkel), to the City of Light to woo the widow and bring her home. Failing to recognize Sonia in a cafe, Danilo falls in love with her, then tries to persuade her that his affection is real when she learns the nature of his mission. Unable to convince her, Danilo is called back to Marshovia and put on trial; however, Sonia becomes the star witness for the defense, the two are trapped in a jail cell, and matters end happily and romantically.

The best musical helmed by the great Ernst Lubitsch, THE MERRY WIDOW is frothy, funny, and tuneful from start to finish. MacDonald more than holds her own in the comedy department, snapping off lines with Carole Lombard-like expertise. Star Chevalier had played with newcomer MacDonald at Paramount, and though he reputedly never liked her, their pairing here is near perfection. The dancing, choreographed by Albertina Rasch, is as good as it comes and the huge waltz in the embassy ball ranks among the best large ensemble pieces ever filmed. Enjoy the opening sequence where Marshovia is found on the map or the "There's a limit to every widow" scene. "The Merry Widow" is one of 30 operettas penned by Lehar, and here his music was given new lyrics by Lorenz Hart, Gus Kahn, and an uncredited Richard Rodgers.

Academy Award: Best Interior Decoration - Cedric Gibbons (Art Direction), Frederic Hope (Art Direction)

a.k.a.: LADY DANCES, THE
Country of origin: U.S.
Genre: Musical; Comedy
Color or b/w: Black & white
Production Co(s).: MGM
Released by: MGM
MPAA rating: NR
Running time: 99

Maurice Chevalier -- Prince Danilo
Jeanette MacDonald -- Sonia
Edward Everett Horton -- Ambassador Popoff
Una Merkel -- Queen Dolores
George Barbier -- King Achmed
Minna Gombell -- Marcelle
Ruth Channing -- Lulu
Sterling Holloway -- Mischka
Henry Armetta -- Turk
Barbara Leonard -- Maid
Donald Meek -- Valet
Akim Tamiroff -- Maxim's Manager
Herman Bing -- Zizipoff
Lucien Prival -- Adamovitch
Luana Walters -- Sonia's Maid
Sheila Bromley (credited as Sheila Mannors)
Caryl Lincoln -- Sonia's Maid
Edna Waldron -- Sonia's Maid
Lona Andre -- Sonia's Maid
Patricia Farley -- Maxim Girl
Shirley Chambers -- Maxim Girl
Maria Troubetskoy -- Maxim Girl
Eleanor Hunt -- Maxim Girl
Jeanine Hart -- Maxim Girl
Dorothy Wilson -- Maxim Girl
Barbara Barondess -- Maxim Girl
Dorothy Granger -- Maxim Girl
Jill Dennett -- Maxim Girl
Mary Jane Halsey -- Maxim Girl
Peggy Watts -- Maxim Girl
Dorothy Dehn -- Maxim Girl
Connie Lamont -- Maxim Girl
Charles Requa -- Escort
George J. Lewis -- Escort
Tyler Brooke -- Escort
John Merkyl -- Escort
Cosmo Kyrle Bellew -- Escort
Roger Gray -- Policeman
Christian J. Frank -- Policeman
Otto Fries -- Policeman
George Magrill -- Policeman
John Roach -- Policeman
Gino Corrado -- Waiter
Perry Ivins -- Waiter
Virginia Field -- Prisoner
George Baxter -- Ambassador
Paul Ellis -- Dancer
Leonid Kinskey -- Shepherd
Evelyn Selbie -- Newspaper Woman
Wedgewood Nowell -- Lackey
Richard Carle -- Defense Attorney
Morgan Wallace -- Prosecuting Attorney
Frank Sheridan -- Judge
A.S. Byron -- Doorman
Claudia Coleman -- Wardrobe Mistress
Lee Tinn -- Excited Chinese Man
Nora Cecil -- Animal Woman
Tom Frances -- Orthodox Priest
Winter Hall -- Priest
Matty Roubert -- Newsboy
Ferdinand Munier -- Jailer
Dewey Robinson -- Fat Lackey
Russ Powell -- Fat Lackey
Billy Gilbert -- Fat Lackey
Arthur Housman -- Drunk
John "Skins" Miller -- Drunk
Hector V. Sarno -- Gypsy Leader
Bela Loblov -- Gypsy Violinist
Jan Rubini -- Violinist
Jason Robards Sr. -- Arresting Officer
Albert Pollet -- Head Waiter
Rolfe Sedan -- Gabrielovitsch
Jacques Lory -- Goatman
Lane Chandler -- Soldier

Producer: Irving Thalberg
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Writer: Samson Raphaelson
Ernest Vajda (based on the operetta "Die Lustique Witwe" by Franz Lehar, Victor Leon, Leo Stein)
Cinematographer: Oliver T. Marsh
Editor: Frances Marsh
Music Composer: Franz Lehar
Music Director: Herbert Stothart
Art Director: Cedric Gibbons
Frederic Hope
Set Decorator: Edwin B. Willis
Gabriel Scognamillo
Costume Design: Adrian
Ali Hubert
Choreography: Albertina Rasch