Olympia

"A Breath of Scandal" is a solid film that straddles the line between drama and comedy. It features an interesting cast of characters who illustrate some of the peculiarities of the aristocracy while comparing and contrasting those mores to the more folksy egalitarianism of Charlie and America. It is a mostly good time even if the film doesn't fully resonate with or impact the viewer. It shares some similarities with another Sophia Loren film from 1960, "The Millionairess." I rate both 6/10 and deem them both worth watching even if they are somewhat turgid.

Sophia Loren--in a succession of lavish gowns, her hair tinted a honey-brown--looks every inch the princess in this surface-pretty remake of 1929's "His Glorious Night", adapted from Molnar's play "Olimpia". An American businessman from Pittsburg travels overseas and falls in love with mercurial royalty from Ruritania; she has breached protocol by even being seen with this "peasant", so in order to keep him quiet she agrees to spend a weekend with him in the country. Wily Maurice Chevalier, as Sophia's father, gets to sing a little and make eyes at the ladies, and his polished comic timing is a welcome relief to the empty, useless bantering of the young lovers. As Loren's gallant guy, stiff John Gavin talks as if he's being dubbed by a ventriloquist (he has no music in his voice). Sophia doesn't have the witty lines of the older players (nor that of Angela Lansbury as a competitive Countess), though she gives more to this puff-piece than most actresses would have. A few funny lines do lighten the load, yet it's largely forgettable. ** from ****

This bantam weight of a comedy really has not much going for it. It is so light you could knock it down with a feather. I was so bored I decided to do some crossword puzzles while listening to the dialog and missed absolutely. Princess/Royalty Sophia is expelled from the court. She wants to marry a well to do royal but an indiscretion with an American visitor, the always bland for extremely good looking John Gavin - well, he's not really bland: He just speaks in a monotone way and doesn't vary his technique much - threatens to derail the impending nuptials. Poor second-billed Maurice Chevalier in a role he would play many time again as the cantankerous old matchmaker after perfecting it in Gigi dawdles through the movie singing sweet melodies that move absolutely no one. Wide Screen cinematography and Technicolor is exquisite and the costumes worn by Sophia define her figure to goddess like status. But when in a romantic comedy you are rapturing over the sets and costumes you know something is wrong. P.S. Poor Michael Curtiz!

This is a really beautiful and charming film with a wonderful cast. Sophia Loren has never looked more lovely in the role of Princess Olympia alongside the handsome John Gavin in the role of Charlie Foster. Maurice Chevalier is absolutely delightful as Prince Philip as is his on-screen wife Isabel Jeans in the role of Princess Eugenie. The settings are simply beautiful in different palaces around Vienna such as the Belvedere and Schoenbrunn. The Austrian countryside is also delightful. I loved the music as well. A young Angela Lansbury also makes an appearance as the devious Countess Lina. It is a lovely and enchanting film.

I like it a lot. It is funny. Has some funny scenes and some funny characters.

Now, I didn't say that it is a comedy that will make you laugh a lot, but you might watch almost all of it with a smile on your face, at least I know I did.

Sophia Loren looks great in it and from what my sister told me the guy looks very good also.

(Maybe guys could learn something from the man in this movie.)

I gave it a 10 because I think it is one of the best of it's kind. (By the way, if you know better ones please let me know. 10x)

PS: I think is a nice movie to watch with a girlfriend/boyfriend.