The Chocolate Soldier (film)

The Chocolate Soldier is an American film operetta with Nelson Eddy and Risë Stevens from the year 1941. The screenplay is based on the stage comedy The Guardsman, the English version of piece A Testor (Eng. The Guardsman ) by Ferenc Molnar. The libretto and the title are the English version of the German operetta The Brave Soldier by Oscar Straus borrowed that even on the comedy hero ( original: Arms and the Man) based on George Bernard Shaw.

Action

Karl Lang and Maria Lanyi are the shining stars in the sky Viennese operetta. The two spirited Stars understand also in private very well and therefore have married only a few months ago. But the marriage does not run as harmonic as the hoped the two. Maria would like to make a career on the opera and finally sing serious music. Karl thinks this is a fad and Maria suspected to cheat him. In order to test their loyalty, he disguises himself as a Russian bodyguard with the romantic name Vassily Vassilievitch, complete with Cossack trousers and a long beard. Mary is doubting soon blown away by the reckless Vassily what Karl only as confirmation of Mary's faithfulness. At the end of the misunderstandings dissolve and Karl and Maria swear eternal love.

Background

The cooperation of the canvas pair Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy proved increasingly costly affair for MGM. Their joint films, without exception expensive produced operettas, their production costs could escalate to up to 2.2 million U.S. dollars as in the case of Maytime, found less and less approval among moviegoers. At the latest in 1941 all parties realized that cooperation was coming to an end, after the last two movies were only small gains. With The Chocolate Soldier, the studio took a half-hearted attempt to build Nelson Eddy as a solo star. The Grundvoraussetzugen for success were low. Eddy was notorious for its wooden screen presence, who had the nickname The Singing Capon entered him. Now he should meet a screenplay that was related to the well-known comedy The Guardsman, the English version of the play A Testor (Eng. The Guardsman ) VVON Ferenc Molnar, in the 1924 Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne were celebrating one of their biggest stage successes. The female lead went to the famous soprano of the Metropolitan Opera Risë Stevens, but the date could have no film experience. At the end of the public and critics alike were surprised by the finished film. Nelson Eddy unveiled its most carefully hidden talent for light comedy and Risë Stevens showed a charming presentation and a lot of presence and charisma.

Criticism

Bosley Crowther, yet no friend of Nelson Eddy, called the actor in his review in the New York Times as a great surprise when overtightened Russian.

Archer Winsten was absolutely thrilled by Risë Stevens in the New York Post. They play in the ground the kind of role that is usually reserved for Jeanette MacDonald, but would sing better, look better, look more natural and is also much younger than this (She [ Has ] taken the spot ordinarily reserved for Jeanette MacDonald, But she is bigger, younger, less dental, sings as well or better, and is not so cute ).

Awards

At the Academy Awards in 1942, the film received nominations in the categories:

  • Best Cinematography ( Black - and-white film )
  • Best Original Film Music (Musical)
  • Best Sound
1941 in film Victor Saville Film score Herbert Stothart Karl Freund James E. Newcom Ferenc Molnár Maytime (1937 film) 14th Academy Awards
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