Thankfully this dire entry has escaped my attention until now. I was aware of its existence, knew nothing about it other than the title and the leading lady, had no desire to see it and even if I had it never played any theatre in my vicinity or was screened on TV. How lucky can you get. It finally surfaced on DVD and as it was available on loan rather than for sale I decided to check it out. Not one of my best decisions. Although you'll go a long way to find someone who loves French cinema as much, let alone more than I do, I have to say that on the whole I've never understood the fuss made about Rene Clair; the films of his that I have enjoyed - Port de Lilas, Les Grandes Manouvres, and a couple more have enjoyable without being exceptional and I can name a good dozen French directors I prefer, such as Carne, Duvivier, Pagnol, Chenal, etc. The best thing about Flame of New Orleans is the supporting cast and by that I don't mean the joke leading man John Cabot, I'm thinking more of Ann Revere, Mischa Auer, Laura Hope Crews, Franklin Pangborn, etc. The plot is banal the two leads atrocious, the score a non-starter. There are those who thought the TOAST of New Orleans was rubbish, they should try this.
Review of The Flame of New Orleans
