Le lieutenant souriant

Original title: The Smiling Lieutenant

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Maurice Chevalier in Le lieutenant souriant (1931)

An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

4.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 1 nomination total

Photos24

+ 16

Top cast18

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Maurice Chevalier

Niki

Claudette Colbert

Franzi

Miriam Hopkins

Princess Anna

Charles Ruggles

Max
(as Charlie Ruggles)

George Barbier

King Adolph XV

Hugh O'Connell

Niki's Orderly

Maude Allen

Lady in Waiting
(uncredited)

Granville Bates

Bill Collector
(uncredited)

Harry C. Bradley

Count Von Halden
(uncredited)

Carrie Daumery

Lady in Waiting
(uncredited)

Ludwig Heinsich

Man
(uncredited)

Cornelius MacSunday

Emperor Franz Josef
(uncredited)

Elizabeth Patterson

Baroness von Schwedel
(uncredited)

Janet Reade

Lily
(uncredited)

Werner Saxtorph

Joseph
(uncredited)

Karl Stall

Master of Ceremonies
(uncredited)

Robert Strange

Col. Rockoff
(uncredited)

Charles Wagenheim

Arresting Officer
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
A French version with dialogue and lyrics by Henri Bataille was shown in New York on 15 October 1931 and was also a big hit in Paris. It had the same three leading actors and was filmed at the same time as the English language version, as dubbing had not yet been invented.

Goofs
The unpaid bill demands only 1614,25 crowns, even though the sum adds up to 1855,25 crowns.

Quotes
Franzi: Girls who start with breakfast don't usually stay for supper.

Alternate versions
A version in French with dialogue and lyrics by 'Henri Bataille (II)' played in New York City, New York, USA on 15 October 1931, and was a big hit in Paris. It probably was a dubbed English version, but slightly shorter at 2,476.80 m in length.

Connections
Featured in The House That Shadows Built (1931)

Soundtracks
Toujours l'Amour in the Army
(1931) (uncredited)
Music by Oscar Straus
Lyrics by Clifford Grey
Sung by Maurice Chevalier twice

User reviews49

Featured review

10/10

Sublime, and almost immoral.

This film is sheer perfection - the Lubitsch Touch is here in spades. This must be one of the most charming films ever made, and it is technically brilliant too for the early talkie era. A fabulous show-case for the talents of three new Paramount stars - Maurice Chevalier has never been better, Claudette Colbert is buoyant - and Miriam Hopkins is an absolute marvel as the innocent princess. When will she be given the adulation she deserves - certainly one of the best actresses of her generation. And George Barbier is also brilliant as her father.

This film could only have been made in the pre-code days - it is very very naughty. The mating pillows is only one example of many sexual innuendos and symbols. But it is all too charming to be offensive to even the most prudish person. One of the best films of the early Thirties.