The Firefly (film)
- Jeanette MacDonald: Nina Maria Azara
- Allan Jones: Don Diego / Captain Andre
- Warren William: Colonel de Rouchemont
- Billy Gilbert: Inn Keeper
- Douglass Dumbrille: Marquis de Melito
- Henry Daniell: General Savary
- Leonard Penn: Etienne DuBois
- Tom Rutherford: Ferdinand VII
- Belle Mitchell: Lola
- George Zucco: St. Clair
- Corbet Morris: Duvall
- Matthew Boulton: Duke of Wellington
Tarantella (OT: The Firefly ) is an American film operetta from 1937, and the first pure solo project of Jeanette MacDonald since her move to MGM mid-1933, the Director of the movie was in the hands of Robert Z. Leonard. . Tarantella took over from the operetta The Firefly by Rudolf Friml and Otto Harbach only the songs, but combined this with a completely new plot.
Action
In 1808. Ferdinand VII was forced by Napoleon to renounce the throne of Spain. Nina Maria, in the whole of Madrid known as "The Firefly", is horrified by the development and decides to completely patriot who is to work against the French. It is a spy in the service of the British. After the victorious Battle of Vitoria in 1813 Nina can finally sink into the arms of her lover, Don Diego, after their romance had to exist in previous numerous samples.
Background
Jeanette MacDonald made since 1935 with Nelson Eddy a popular screen couple, whose last film together Maienzeit the most successful MGM productions until then belonged at all. MacDonald, however, it was increasingly tired of always only be the partner of Eddy and asked for solo performances. Tarantella was the genre of operetta, the actress owed its popularity loyal, but gave her a much more dramatic backstory than the rather shallow lovey-dovey of their previous appearances. The film takes its name, as well as songs from the operetta The Firefly by Rudolf Friml and Otto Harbach 1912 brought success on the stage in the original. From the original story about a young orphan who rises in Italy for the celebrated singer, but did not get anything. Instead, a completely new frame story was written, which plays during the Napoleonic wars on the Iberian Peninsula.
Although the name of Jeanette MacDonald stands alone above the title, it was during the filming that her partner Allan Jones should be treated as co-star and the end to see in significantly more scenes than was designed. The end disappointingly low profit of the film convinced the studio, on-screen couple MacDonald / Eddy again bring to the camera. However, remained in the Golden West at the end financially well behind the high expectations.
Theatrical Release
With production cost of 1,495,000 U.S. dollars Tarantella was an above average expensive production and corresponded to the prestige of Jeanette MacDonald at the time in the studio. In the U.S., the film was only moderately successful, and played with 1.244.0000 dollars a good, but not a top value. From abroad came further 1,430,000 U.S. dollars, giving a cumulative total profit of 2.674 million U.S. dollars. In the end, however, the studio remained only a thin profit of 163,000 U.S. dollars.
Music
As expected by the fans, was sung in the film often and in detail. The songs were written by Rudolf Friml (music) and Otto Harbach ( text).
- Love Is Like a Firefly
- Danse Jeanette
- The Donkey Serenade
- Sympathy
- A Woman 's Kiss
- Giannina Mia
- He Who Loves And Runs Away
- I Love You Don Diego
- Para La Salud