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IMDbPro

The Smiling Lieutenant

  • 1931
  • Passed
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
Maurice Chevalier in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)
ComedyMusicalRomance

An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.

  • Director
    • Ernst Lubitsch
  • Writers
    • Ernest Vajda
    • Samson Raphaelson
    • Leopold Jacobson
  • Stars
    • Maurice Chevalier
    • Claudette Colbert
    • Miriam Hopkins
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    4.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ernst Lubitsch
    • Writers
      • Ernest Vajda
      • Samson Raphaelson
      • Leopold Jacobson
    • Stars
      • Maurice Chevalier
      • Claudette Colbert
      • Miriam Hopkins
    • 49User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos24

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    Top cast18

    Edit
    Maurice Chevalier
    Maurice Chevalier
    • Niki
    Claudette Colbert
    Claudette Colbert
    • Franzi
    Miriam Hopkins
    Miriam Hopkins
    • Princess Anna
    Charles Ruggles
    Charles Ruggles
    • Max
    • (as Charlie Ruggles)
    George Barbier
    George Barbier
    • King Adolph XV
    Hugh O'Connell
    Hugh O'Connell
    • Niki's Orderly
    Maude Allen
    • Lady in Waiting
    • (uncredited)
    Granville Bates
    Granville Bates
    • Bill Collector
    • (uncredited)
    Harry C. Bradley
    Harry C. Bradley
    • Count Von Halden
    • (uncredited)
    Carrie Daumery
    Carrie Daumery
    • Lady in Waiting
    • (uncredited)
    Ludwig Heinsich
    • Man
    • (uncredited)
    Cornelius MacSunday
    • Emperor Franz Josef
    • (uncredited)
    Elizabeth Patterson
    Elizabeth Patterson
    • Baroness von Schwedel
    • (uncredited)
    Janet Reade
    • Lily
    • (uncredited)
    Werner Saxtorph
    • Joseph
    • (uncredited)
    Karl Stall
    • Master of Ceremonies
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Strange
    Robert Strange
    • Col. Rockoff
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Wagenheim
    Charles Wagenheim
    • Arresting Officer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ernst Lubitsch
    • Writers
      • Ernest Vajda
      • Samson Raphaelson
      • Leopold Jacobson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A French version with dialogue and lyrics by Henri Bataille was shown in New York on 15 October 1931 and was also a big hit in Paris. It had the same three leading actors and was filmed at the same time as the English language version, as dubbing had not yet been invented.
    • Goofs
      The unpaid bill demands only 1614,25 crowns, even though the sum adds up to 1855,25 crowns.
    • Quotes

      Franzi: Girls who start with breakfast don't usually stay for supper.

    • Alternate versions
      A version in French with dialogue and lyrics by 'Henri Bataille (II)' played in New York City, New York, USA on 15 October 1931, and was a big hit in Paris. It probably was a dubbed English version, but slightly shorter at 2,476.80 m in length.
    • Connections
      Featured in The House That Shadows Built (1931)
    • Soundtracks
      Toujours l'Amour in the Army
      (1931) (uncredited)
      Music by Oscar Straus
      Lyrics by Clifford Grey
      Sung by Maurice Chevalier twice

    User reviews49

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    the gals win!

    Maurice Chevalier is way too hammy in this pleasant comedy. Claudette Colbert shines as the bad girl with a violin. Colbert displays her usual breezy charm AND a nice singing voice. But it's Miriam Hopkins who steals the film as the dowdy princess turned jazz baby. Colbert and Hopkins sing a delightful "Jazz Up Your Lingerie" number which Hopkins reprises on the piano, replete with frizzed hair and cigarette dangling from her lips as she pounds out a snazzy-jazzy version of the song. Hilarious! Hopkins rarely got to show her comic side. She was also funny in Wise Girl. Smiling Lieutenant also has Charlie Ruggles, Elizabeth Patterson, and the delightful George Barbier as Hopkins' papa. Good fun. Watch it for Hopkins and Colbert!!!
    • drednm
    • Feb 14, 2004
    • Permalink

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    FAQ15

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1, 1931 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Nasmejani poručnik
    • Filming locations
      • Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.20 : 1

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