Valse royale

"Valse Royale " a French-(Hitlerian) Germany co-production is a very minor movie by highly talented Jean Gremillon ;with few exceptions ,his masterpieces were made between 1937 and 1951.

"light-hearted gallantries" best describes this old-fashioned ,poorly written -with some hints at the French Revolution (?) in the lines to enliven things a bit- comedy (which verges on a musical).

A handsome Austrian officer (Henry Garat) is in love with a (chic) pastry cook(Renée Saint-Cyr);but,in the wake of a misunderstanding,he is forced to marry her sister (Mila Parely ,an actress confined in parts of not-so-attractive women(see "La Belle Et La Bete");unlike in Ophuls' much superior "Liebelei",the problem of a misalliance is not even mooted :a pastry cook marrying a noble officer ,son of a dignitary ,it does not scandalize anyone .

Full of finer feelings , even in 1935,this screenplay seemed straight out of the ark.As for Gremillon,fortunately, greater things were to follow.

Pleasant enough largely songless (the leads get solos) operetta.

In a period of diplomatic maneuvering between Vienna and Munich German cavalry officer Garat's park land gallantry with Parely is mistaken for an engagement getting in the way of his courtship of her Sister, pastry chef St. Cyr.

This slim plot is submerged in elaborate costuming and impressive decors from Rohrig & Herlth. Gremillon is right out of his element but doesn't disgrace himself, filling the screen with movement and staging in depth. The actual Valse Royale is a passably spectacular set piece giving the film it's tone.