Vacanze a Montecarlo

This movie is like a Kay Kyser movie without Kyser (he's replaced by Ray Ventura) and with Audrey Hepburn; she doesn't show up until a half hour in and is tres Francaise in this slickly made semi-diagetic musical -- that means that the music is played in the "real" world of the movie, instead of arising to allow people to sing or dance because they feel a need to.

Everyone goes to Monte in search of a misplaced baby, who has been adopted by Ventura's band. The big production number seems to be modeled on the finale from King of Jazz -- yes, there are bagpipes. It was co-written and co-directed by Jean Boyer, who specialized in fluff like this. It's fun and forgettable except for Miss Hepburn's early appearance.

Another musical by Jean Boyer featuring Ray Ventura "Et Ses Collégiens " (and his schoolboys ) the main purpose of which is to highlight the tracks which are part easy-listening jazz and part comedy songs :if the audience had forgotten it,lines at the end of the movie tell them that they were available on Polydor records;at the time when seeing artists perform live was rare ,it was a smart way to promote songs.

The films itself is rather pleasant,based on mistakes about a baby the orchestra has to care of and treats as their pet .....until so-called "mothers" appear;it's a bit repetitive but there are good gags: the "grandfather" kissing his grandson goodnight and realizing "he is cold " (because his daughter has replaced the toddler with a doll) or the orchestra,reduced to five members (whereas they are 18 in all),performing live on stage with the help of a record player.

Audrey Hepburn (you read well) appears in two or three scenes ,which may be the main reason why people would like to watch this harmless musical (the famous actress does not sing or dance,mind you)

Like this ? try this.....

"Nous Irons A Paris" (Boyer,1949)-feat also Ray Ventura and his band ,plus Philippe Lemaire,the romantic young lead of "Monte Carlo" and even a small appearance by George Raft.

The picture and sound quality of this French language addition is quite good. By the quality of the production and direction I would say this was considered a first rate film in its day. The songs are quite catchy and the performers are obviously happy to be preforming and are giving it their all. I could hardly detect a flaw in the final musical number where everyone is lip sinking to a record off stage while half the band members are out searching for the baby. If you enjoy listening to songs from other countries that are not necessarily in your native tongue, you will find a lot to enjoy in this picture. There are cute musical numbers throughout. At one point the whole band sings to the baby in an attempt to get him to eat. I must say that Audrey Hepburn's makeup and lighting have something to be desired here. She is still beautiful but not flawless. She does not have the benefit of the long close-ups, and slow, deliberate lines that she does in "Roman Holidy" and she is not sweet and vulnerable as she is in "Young Wives Tale". She appears in four or five short scenes and for the most part speaks English when she does appear. Although a smattering of French is thrown in. She does not get a chance to win our sympathy, but it is interesting to watch her in this early film. She speaks quickly, sharply and runs in and out of scenes with verve. You can get an excellent copy of this film from cdjapan.