Stolen Holiday

Actually the stolen holiday of the title is only a small part of the film and is, quite frankly, a little boring and holds up the action. I found myself longing for it to finish and get back to the main plot! Fine performances from Kay, Claude Rains and Alison Skipworth, and Ian Hunter is his usual debonair self. Also, in a small part, Alexander D'Arcy (he of "The Awful Truth" fame).

Some of the strongest scenes are in the early parts of the movie, especially when Kay Francis almost arrogantly descends the staircase at a grand reception she is giving, and, seemingly ignoring everybody, manages to turn every head in the place with the new creation she is wearing! Marvellous!! To the best of my knowledge this movie has never been shown on British TV.

So, over here at least, a forgotten film worth investigating.

Plot-- Clever con-man Orloff uses fashion model Picot to gain entrée into French high society. Once situated among the rich, his financial swindle proceeds. In return, he rewards Picot with her own fashion house, which soon prospers. But what will happen to their bonded relationship if Picot's con game is discovered.

That opening of elegant models parading down the runway is a grabber. As one of the models, Picot (Francis) commands with regal stature and a compelling gaze. On the other hand, Orloff (Rains) commands with voice and smooth demeanor, despite his short stature. Together, they're an interesting, though hardly romantic, pair.

It's really the two charismatic leads that carry the film. The con game thread is not emphasized, rather the odd relationship between the two amounts to the main thread. It's ultimately a bond of friendship and gratitude that endures, despite Picot's romance with the rather callow Wayne (Hunter). I'm not sure how convincing the relationship is since the narrative is more intent on using it rather than explaining its steadfastness. I wish that key part were more strongly written. And though talk dominates, the film's well-mounted, while Curtiz directs with a smooth tempo that never drags. Also, a rotund, aging Allison Skipworth as Picot's assistant adds a colorful touch of lemony spice.

In passing-- Catch that biplane the twosome travels to France in. It may be the ugliest example of flight engineering I've seen. Note also presence of commanding Frank Conroy as a police inspector. His fearsomely dominating Maj. Tetley in the classic Ox- Bow Incident (1943) certainly deserved Oscar recognition. Here he gets a few moments of that.

Overall, the movie's mainly a showcase for the two leads, without being anything special.

Better than average Kay Francis picture. Thanks to a stronger script than was usually handed to her as well as a superior co-star in Claude Rains this swindle drama moves along at a nice clip assisted by that master of any genre, Michael Curtiz.

Of course this wouldn't be a Kay vehicle if they didn't slap one amazing outfit after another on her back and she wears them with the same effortless grace and elegance she always exhibited.

The story isn't terribly inventive but Kay and Claude have a good chemistry which works to the advantage of making the film more involving than it would be. It's nice to see her matched with an artist of equal skill to hers instead of the usual bland leading men such as George Brent and Alan Dinehart she was often teamed with.

This was one of the last good films she made as queen of the lot before her feud with the brothers Warner caused them to start sticking her in any piece of low rent junk to get her to walk on her contract.

Kay Francis (in a series of magnificent gowns) is caught between two suave and debonair men, played by Claude Rains and Ian Hunter. That's a nice sandwich, I must say. Francis is lovely in this film, while Rains and Hunter's rivaly foreshadow their problematic relationship several years later as royal brothers in "The Adventures of Robin Hood." Not a great film by any measure, but enjoyable enough, particularly for fans of these three.

Doing tours at Warner Brothers, I had the distinct honor of holding one of Orry Kelly's Oscars, the fashion guru of Hollywood. A genuine piece of Hollywood history, which had its own special case. Handle with care! Absolutely unforgettable.

This film is partly his, shared with the stunning Kay Francis. Casey Robinson's dramatic script likely was also designed as a showcase for Kelly's magnificent wardrobe designs AND for Francis to show it off. She does.

The villain here, noneother than Claude Rains, playing Stefan Orloff, a sly European con who uses (and quite efficiently) model Nicole (Francis) in picking the pockets of the French elite. It isn't long before both are wealthy, Orloff rewarding Nicole with a fashion enterprise of her own. Then comes handsome Anthony (Ian Hunter), and yes, three's a crowd. Hunter often appeared with Kay Francis, and what a handsome couple they make. Deje Vu all over again.

Excellent performances, thanks to director Michael Curtiz. Hunter would soon go on to co-star (as King Richard) in the ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. AAA cast, backed by Alison Skipworth (a treat), playing Suzanne and Alexnader D'Arcy as Anatole.

No matter what, the fashions rule. A nod to Mr. Kelly.

Always on remastered Warner Brothers dvd. Thanks much to TCM for running this oldie for all us Kay Francis devotees.