Une nuit romanesque

Very rare film based on Molnar's THE SWAN (an alternate title), ONE ROMANTIC NIGHT tells the story of a princess who must choose between a romantic tutor (Conrad Nagel) or a rascally prince (Rod La Rocque). Getting in the way and making things difficult is the princess' mother (Marie Dressler).

A terrific cast makes this watchable (although my copy is bad), but the story is rather dull. Gish (in her talkie debut) looks and sounds great; Dressler of course steals every scene she's in. Nagel is OK, and La Rocque is handsome but somewhat prissy.

At age 37, Gish was probably too old for the part of the princess, but it's the kind of character that fit her screen persona. Gish herself did not like the film and considered it slow and dull. She also didn't like the director, whose work she was unfamiliar with. She had not made a film since 1928's silent THE WIND and wouldn't make another film for 3 years. La Rocque, Nagel, and Dressler had all made talkies before this film.

Oddly, this story was filmed again in the 50s as THE SWAN and starring Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness.

A common misconception about the decline of silent film stars at the dawn of the talkie revolution is that their subsequent unpopularity came from bad voices or an inability to recite dialogue. This idea ignores how much society in general was shifting during the late 20s and early 30s, what with the Great Depression puncturing Roaring Twenties decadence and optimism, as well as the usual shifts in audience taste that had always been occurring among moviegoers. These shifts had a lot more to do with the decline of old favorites than squeaky voices.

Lillian Gish's decline as a movie star was already in effect before moguls accepted sound was more than a fad. Her last few silent films had either underperformed or flopped. Gish was a phenomenal actress, but her tragic ingenue image was falling out of favor, even with attempts to complicate the persona with madness (THE WIND) or innocent sexuality (LA BOHEME and THE SCARLET LETTER). Stars rise and fall on the whims of their public, and the public was losing interest in Gish.

ONE ROMANTIC NIGHT is Gish's first talkie and it's often purported to be a showcase for how bad early sound filmmaking could be. I've seen it twice and honestly, there are way worse early sound films than this one. The acting is largely stiff and the action stagebound, but the script is a diverting trifle. Gish was too old to play the princess, but she had the proper patrician look and the ability to play girlish characters well. She's certainly better than Rod La Roque as the rakish prince, who comes off way too nasally and foolish to strike one as a properly enticing bad boy. Conrad Nagel, Marie Dressler, and OP Heggie all give Gish proper support and there's enough modest entertainment value in the whole affair to keep the film from being a bore.

Lovely, demure Lillian Gish (as Princess Alexandra) is expected to marry randy, royal Rod La Rocque (as Prince Albert). Instead, Ms. Gish is attracted to someone out of her societal class, her brothers' tutor Conrad Nagel (as Nicholas Haller). Gish's dalliance with Mr. Nagel puts her "arranged" royal wedding with Mr. La Rocque in jeopardy. As he finds his prospective bride slipping away, La Roque finds himself falling in love with Gish. Who will the Princess choose?

This re-titled version of Molnár's "The Swan" was certainly an unsuitable talking picture debut for Gish. Although she speaks well, the script and direction offer Gish little opportunity to show her considerable dramatic skills. Reportedly, the legendary actress clashed with director Paul L. Stein; and, George Fitzmaurice was called in to complete the film. The supporting cast, including Marie Dressler and Philippe De Lacy, and cinematography (Karl Struss), are attractive. La Rocque is unusually weak as the winning man; probably, his performance suffers due to the lack of direction (un-unified Fitzmaurice, Gish, and Stein). The unhappy experience resulted in Gish concentrating her energies on stage work.

***** One Romantic Night (5/3/30) Paul L. Stein ~ Lillian Gish, Rod La Rocque, Conrad Nagel, Marie Dressler

I found this movie very enjoyable . I didn't Lillian Gish was best for the part but she played it well...her facial expressions and eyes are the most interesting thing to watch in the film . Marie Dressler is usually a very good actress but doesn't fit the role well either ; maybe no one in the film does , but it's a pleasant watch anyway . La Rocque was weak ; Nagel was his handsome self but better suited with Garbo...O.P. Heggie was his usual delight . I would recommend this film .... one question : why does it go by two different titles ? I think the title of The Swan sounds much more interesting..."One Romantic Night" seems rather tripe ...... beautiful early talkie sound/picture quality

It was interesting to see silent film star Lillian Gish in her first talking picture and Marie Dressler was always worth watching. Also love older films and there are many good examples of this type of film. Was not expecting a lot though from 'One Romantic Night' admittedly and am saying this with regret. Reviews have always been indifferent at best, with many respected critics and users not liking it at all and play to film adaptations at that time didn't always fare well.

'One Romantic Night' fails in this respect and is among the worst examples. Gish is much better served in silent films and it is best probably to stick to watching them, don't make 'One Romantic Night' your introduction to her. She and Dressler, who has also been better, don't fare too badly actually compared to everything else. It is the male cast and all the problems that too many play to film adaptations at that time had (all present here) that bring it down. As well as how its troubled production is all over it. Best to be seen as a curio and if you want to see every Gish film she did.

Gish may not be right for her role age-wise, but she looks luminous and gives a heartfelt and not too histrionic performance. Dressler also gives a committed performance without over-compensating and likewise with delightful OP Heggie.

While the sets may betray stage origins, they at least look sumptuous, and likewise with the costumes.

Not much praise otherwise sadly. Rod La Rocque is as stiff as a board and makes planks of wood more animated in comparison. Conrad Nagel is too mannered and smug. The multiple directing changes that 'One Romantic Night' suffered from is too obvious in the finished product, very erratic, and the photography captures Gish well but is too static which adds further to the staginess.

Staginess that is apparent in the stilted scripting, the very sluggish pacing and a story that creaks badly. Even back then it felt at least a decade out of date, is so stop and start and is overwrought.

Has its good points but too much doesn't work at all. 3/10