The title of this film, "The Rage of Paris," may seem to most viewers at first not to fit the plot. But with a premise that pops up occasionally in the movie, it soon dawns on one (this viewer, finally) that it refers to a theme of the film that a woman's drive in gay Paris should be to snag herself a wealthy husband. OK! So, that out of the way, we have here a very enjoyable comedy with some good early film stars. The plot is fun, the acting is very good, and the direction and sets are good.
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Louis Hayward are very good in their respective roles as Jim Trevor and Bill Duncan. Most moviegoers know about Fairbanks, but few people today probably remember the name Louis Hayward. He did have a short leading period in Hollywood and later moved to television, but his star never rose very high. Hayward was born in South Africa and educated in England. He came to the U. S. in 1935 for a Broadway play, and soon moved to Hollywood.
This is also one of the few American-produced films that stars Danielle Darrieux. This demure and versatile star of stage and screen was the leading actress in France for much of the eight decades during which she acted. Darrieux flew to Hollywood to make "The Rage of Paris" in 1938, and returned to France after it was released. She stayed there during the war and made three films through 1942, but nothing after the Nazi occupation. All were comedies. She resumed work in 1946, and has played starring roles in drama, suspense-thrillers, romance and comedies.
She appeared is some other notable English films - made in Great Britain or on the continent, so Americans and others may have seen her in some of these. "Five Fingers" was a great 20th Century Fox espionage thriller filmed around Europe. In 2002, at age 85, she won honors for her role in "8 Women," a musical comedy produced in French and English. Darrieux continued acting until 2010, at age 93.
One aspect of this film that stands out and is most enjoyable is the acting of the support cast. Mischa Auer played Mike, the head waiter. He was a Russian-born actor who had a distinguished film career, mostly in Europe, but with some films in the U. S. His English was quite good, and his accent was a natural for the many different supporting and leading roles he played as a man of various nationalities. He did mostly comedy films, but was equally good in serious roles.
Helen Broderick played Gloria Patterson. This long-time comedienne acted with some top stars over the years. She was best as the wisecracking sidekick of the lead female star - as in this film. Broderick was married to another vaudeville and stage performer, Lester Crawford. They were the parents of Oscar-winning actor Broderick Crawford (her last name and her husband's last name), who was born in 1911.
Here are the best comedy lines from this film.
Nicole de Cortillion, " Why are you always so good to me?" Gloria Patterson, "Oh, I suppose you have to be good for something, and my dog died a week before you moved in here."
Mike - The Head Waiter, "Uh, Uh, young lady in your party forgot her wrap." Jim Trevor, "It wasn't my party, and she's not a lady." Mike, "Oh, I'm sorry, sir. But I'm sure you know your friends better than I do."
Nicole, "He meant I was dishonest." Gloria, "Darling, all women are dishonest. If they weren't, the world would be divided into two classes of people - old maids and bachelors."
Mike, "I started out to get a restaurant and I'll be lucky if I wind up with a ham sandwich."
Jim Trevor, "Did you hear that, Rigley?" Rigley, "Did you want me to, sir?" Trevor, "I do." Rigley, "I did." Trevor, "Good."
Jim Trevor, "Rigley!" Rigley, "Yes, sir?" Trevor, "If this young lady is not here when I get back, you're fired." Rigley, "Thank you, sir."
Trevor, "Now, you do as you're told. You're on borrowed time anyway. I should have fired you last Tuesday." Rigley, "Well, why don't you fire me now, sir?" Trevor, "Well, if you do a good job tonight, perhaps I will." Rigley, "Oh, thank you very much, sir."
