Flame of New Orleans
Universal Studios (1941)
Comedy, Drama, Romance
In Collection
#4748
0*
Seen ItYes
025192845529
IMDB   6.6
1 hr 19 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1   NR
Marlene Dietrich Countess Claire Ledoux
Bruce Cabot Robert Latour
Roland Young Charles Giraud
Mischa Auer Zolotov
Andy Devine Andrew
Frank Jenks Second Sailor
Eddie Quillan Third Sailor
Laura Hope Crews Auntie
Franklin Pangborn Bellows
Theresa Harris Clementine
Clarence Muse Samuel
Melville Cooper Brother-in-Law
Anne Revere Giraud's Sister
Bob Evans William
Emily Fitzroy Giraud's Cousin Amelia
Director
Mitchell Leisen
Rene Clair
Producer Joe Pasternak
Rene Clair
Harry Tugend
Writer Norman Krasna
Jules Furthman
Abraham Polonsky

Dietrich played french ladies of dubious reputation so often, and to such great effect, its no wonder they loved her, and that she died in Paris. Remember her as Bijou Blanche in SEVEN SINNERS?

Here, in Renee Clair's confection, she has Ward Bond/Bruce Cabot to play against. Now, whether or not she ever had Bond/Cabot, as she had most of her other leading men, we'll never know. But, from the lack of sparkle in their duets together, probably not. On the other hand... Oh, well. It was wartime, and really sexy, really attractive leading men were scarce.

But, this is a mistaken identity antibellum movie, in which Dietrich plays (or almost plays) two different women. (Not to worry: Nothing psychological. Its all a misunderstanding.) We can tell one from another because one has bangs, and the other doesn't.

What's the difference? Its a parade of costumes. It could just as easily have been a vehicle for May West. Or some off-Broadway concoction for drag queans. It's a vol-au-vent; just a puffed confection made only to make you laugh. Some people enjoy watching pretty women change clothes. Does EVERYTHING have to be serious?
Edition Details
Edition The Franchise Collection
Distributor Universal Studios
Release Date 4/4/2006
Packaging Snap Case
Screen Ratio Fullscreen (4:3)
Subtitles English; French; Spanish
Audio Tracks Stereo
Layers Dual Side, Single Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 5