Tonight or Never
- 1931
- 1h 20m
A young opera singer finds her career stalled because of her cold and passionless performances, until she finds romance with a handsome admirer.A young opera singer finds her career stalled because of her cold and passionless performances, until she finds romance with a handsome admirer.A young opera singer finds her career stalled because of her cold and passionless performances, until she finds romance with a handsome admirer.
- Maida Linden
- (uncredited)
- Admirer
- (uncredited)
- Radio Announcer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis film marks the screen debut of Melvyn Douglas.
- GoofsWhen Fletcher returns back to Vago's window with a flower; he stands in the middle of a circle of smoked cigarettes he discarded earlier. However when he throws the flower up through the window of her room which is a long shot; he is standing outside the circle of cigarettes.
- Quotes
Marchesa Bianca San Giovanni: And that is just the trouble, it is nothing but an organ. It is as cold and as passionless as one of these American iceboxes. Let me tell you a secret; no woman can ever be a great artist without love, without passion, without a great inside flame in her heart. If she were really an artist, she would sing with more than her voice, she would sing with her heart and her soul and her body. I did!
- ConnectionsFeatured in Boulevard! A Hollywood Story (2021)
The style and dialogue are sometimes Lubitschian, as if director Mervyn LeRoy had studied "The Love Parade" before shooting. Toland's camera swoops and pans from spot to spot, sometimes in tandem with dialogue and actions relayed from one character to another across the frame. The generally brisk pace sags in places when there is too much talk without wit.
Swanson is beautifully made up and photographed throughout but some of the skimpier Chanel outfits make her look somewhat matronly; she looks best in long shots with the more layered ensembles. The camera makes the most of her closeups, particularly the use of her large eyes. Douglas, repeating his role from the stage, seems to have effortlessly stepped into the role of sophisticated screen star.
Among the visual delights is an extended sequence in which Douglas tosses a bouquet with a note from the street through Swanson's second story window, which provokes conflicting emotions in her character as she retrieves it and then debates within herself whether or how to respond, all without speech. The sequence would have worked perfectly in the silent cinema.
For fans of "Grand Hotel," which post-dates this production, here is a chance to see Ferdinand Gottschalk and Greta Meyer (Garbo's manager and the hotel's housekeeper, respectively) in similar but meatier roles. Gottschalk especially shines. And Alison Skipworth contributes her customary & welcome dash of vinegar.
- mukava991
- Mar 19, 2023
- How long is Tonight or Never?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Esta noche o nunca
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 20 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix