April in Paris

Director: David Butler David Butler

Overview

Due to a government error, a brassy showgirl is sent as an American representative to a high-toned Paris arts festival in this musical comedy. Along the way, the performer strikes up a romance with a diplomatic clerk, only to face disappointment when she learns he's already married.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/28/2017
UPC:	0888574564681
Original Release:	1952
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	33,183

Special Features

Vintage Joe McDoakes Comedy Short So You Want to Wear the Pants; Classic Cartoon Terrier Stricken; Theatrical Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Doris Day	Ethel S. 'Dynamite' Jackson
Ray Bolger	S. 'Sam' Winthrop Putnam
Claude Dauphin	Philippe Fouquet
Eve Miller	Marcia Sherman,Sinclair Wilson
George Givot	Francois
Paul Harvey	Secretary Sherman
Herbert Farjeon	Joshua Stevens
Wilson Millar	Sinclair Wilson
Raymond Largay	Joseph Welmar
John Alvin	Tracy
Jack Lomas	Cab Driver
Herbert Farjean	Joshua Stevens
Jill Richards	Actor

Technical Credits

Jack Rose

Melville Shavelson

David Butler	Director
Jack Rose	Screenwriter
Melville Shavelson	Screenwriter
William Jacobs	Producer
David Forrest	Sound/Sound Designer
C.A. Riggs	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

A minor musical, April in Paris' assets are offset by several debits, but the most damaging is the casting of its leads. Both Doris Day and Ray Bolger are accomplished performers, but the mixture of the two is oil-and-water. The lack of chemistry is troublesome, but what's worse is that the pairing is simply unbelievable -- the viewer can't root for them to get together because it seems entirely unnatural. April would have been much better served had either star been replaced. As written, it seems that replacing Day -- who is supposed to be a brassy broad with no couth -- with someone like Betty Hutton would have made more sense, but keeping Day and pairing her with a Donald O'Connor would have worked just as well. Even with more compatible leads, however,Aprilwould still have problems. The script is not as sharp and witty as it needs to be, the plot is tired, some of Sammy Cahn's lyrics are off-kilter (although set to some attractive Vernon Duke tunes), and Claude Dauphin is not sufficiently charming. Still, there are some fine musical moments, such as Bolger's dance with "himself" as Washington and Lincoln, and a lovely rendition of the title song by Day. April in Paris is diverting and pleasant, but ultimately not very memorable.