Music: Franz Lehar. Lyrics: Paul Francis Webster. Musical direction: Jay Blackton. Musical numbers created and staged by Jack Cole. Songs: "Vilia", "Night", "Girls, Girls, Girls", "I'm Going to Maxim's", "The Merry Widow Waltz", "Can-Can". Sound supervisor: Douglas Shearer. Western Electric Sound System. Producer: Joe Pasternak.
Copyright 7 July 1952 by Loew's Inc. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture. New York opening at Loew's State: 24 September 1952. U.S. release: September 1952. U.K. release: 17 November 1952. Australian release: 7 November 1952. 9,360 feet. 104 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A musical fantasy in which the young American widow of the wealthiest ex-citizen of an imaginary Balkan country, is pursued by a dashing count, who has been ordered by the king of her late husband's country to marry her, in order to gain control of her wealth and thus stave off his country's imminent bankruptcy. - Copyright Summary.
Lehar's heroine was carefully rewritten for its leading lady (including an Americanization of the character), with this fresh treatment discreetly relieving the widow of almost all her musical requirements. (The widow does contribute one vocal selection when she shares a duet with Danilo at Maxim's. Her voice, however, was that of singer Trudy Erwin, who had previously dubbed for Lana Turner in "Mr. Imperium").
COMMENT: I'd been avoiding this film for years, but it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Although its reputation has been eclipsed by the two previous versions, this one has sumptuous production values going for it and Lamas, who sings "Vilia", "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "I'm Going to Maxim's", is not outclassed by Maurice Chevalier. Turner is admirably suited to her role too, and there is some agreeable comic support from the likes of Richard Haydn, Thomas Gomez and John Abbott.
Copyright 7 July 1952 by Loew's Inc. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture. New York opening at Loew's State: 24 September 1952. U.S. release: September 1952. U.K. release: 17 November 1952. Australian release: 7 November 1952. 9,360 feet. 104 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A musical fantasy in which the young American widow of the wealthiest ex-citizen of an imaginary Balkan country, is pursued by a dashing count, who has been ordered by the king of her late husband's country to marry her, in order to gain control of her wealth and thus stave off his country's imminent bankruptcy. - Copyright Summary.
Lehar's heroine was carefully rewritten for its leading lady (including an Americanization of the character), with this fresh treatment discreetly relieving the widow of almost all her musical requirements. (The widow does contribute one vocal selection when she shares a duet with Danilo at Maxim's. Her voice, however, was that of singer Trudy Erwin, who had previously dubbed for Lana Turner in "Mr. Imperium").
COMMENT: I'd been avoiding this film for years, but it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Although its reputation has been eclipsed by the two previous versions, this one has sumptuous production values going for it and Lamas, who sings "Vilia", "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "I'm Going to Maxim's", is not outclassed by Maurice Chevalier. Turner is admirably suited to her role too, and there is some agreeable comic support from the likes of Richard Haydn, Thomas Gomez and John Abbott.