The Firefly

Director: Robert Z. Leonard Robert Z. Leonard

Overview

In this adaptation of the operetta by Rudolf Friml, secret agent Nina Maria Azara (Jeannette MacDonald) is working undercover for the King of Spain as a singer known as the "Mosca del Fuego" or "Firefly." Her mission is to uncover Napoleon's plot to invade Spain before it is too late. This film features a variety of songs including "Donkey Serenade," "Love Is Like a Firefly," " and "When a Maid Comes Knocking At Your Heart."

Product Details

Release Date:	03/08/2012
UPC:	0883316450284
Original Release:	1937
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	2:10:00
Sales rank:	28,512

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jeanette MacDonald	Nina Maria Azara
Allan Jones	Don Diego
Warren William	Col. de Rouchemont
Belle Mitchell	Lola
Douglas Dumbrille	Marquis DeMelito
Leonard Penn	Etienne
Billy Gilbert	Innkeeper,Aide
Tom Rutherford	King Ferdinand
Henry Daniell	Gen. Savary
George Zucco	St. Clair
Ian Wolfe	Izquierdo
Manuel Alvarez Maciste	Coach Driver
Robert Spindola	Coach Driver's Son
Zeni Vatori	Waiter in Cafe
Frank Puglia	Pablo
John Picorri	Cafe Proprietor
James B. Carson	Smiling Waiter
Milton Watson	French Officer
Peter DuRey	Officer
Maurice Black	Pigeon Vendor
Maurice Cass	Strawberry Vendor
Sam Appel	Fruit Vendor
Rolfe Sedan	Hat Vendor
Mabel Colcord	Vendor
Inez Palange	Flower Vendor
Theodore von Eltz	Capt. Pierlot
Pedro de Cordoba	Spanish General
Monya Andre	Civilian Wife
Frank Campeau	Beggar
Stanley Price	Napoleon
Guy D'Ennery	Spanish General
Robert Wilbur	Dying Soldier
Sidney Bracey	Secretary
Riley Hill	Lieutenant,French Officer
Eugene Borden	Captain
Jean Perry	Major
Corbet Morris	Duval
Ralph Byrd	French Lieutenant
Eddie Phillips	Captain
Bentley Hewlett	Major
Donald Reed	French Officer
William Crowell	French Officer
Drew Demarest	French Officer
Lester Dorr	French Officer
Hooper Atchley	French Officer
John Merton	French Officer
Anthony Pawley	French Officer
Frank Yaconelli	French Soldier
Russell Powell	Stablehand,Stablehand
Harry Semels	French Soldier
Charles Townsend	French Soldier
Fred MacKaye	French Soldier
Roger Drake	French Soldier
Jacques Lory	French Soldier
Alan Curtis	French Soldier
Paul Sutton	Spanish Civilian
Fernando Garcia	Napoleonic Officer
Soledad Gonzales	Extra
Robert Z. Leonard	Bayonne Cafe Extra
Albertina Rasch	Bayonne Cafe Extra
Dennis O'Keefe	Soldiers in Bayonne Cafe
Ray Bennett	Soldiers in Bayonne Cafe
Karl Hackett	Bit Spaniard
Lane Chandler	Captain of Guards
Agostino Borgato	Peasant
Joe North	English General
Colin Kenny	English General
Brandon Hurst	English General
Pat Somerset	English General
Matthew Boulton	Duke of Wellington
Edward Keane	Chief of Staff
Victor Adams	Jail Guard
Harry Worth	Adjutant, Secret Service
Lew Harvey	Officer
Jason Robards Sr.	Spanish Patriot
David Tihmar	Madrid Cafe Dancer

Technical Credits

Albert Hackett

Frances Goodrich

Ogden Nash

Robert Z. Leonard	Director
Albert Hackett	Screenwriter
Frances Goodrich	Screenwriter
Ogden Nash	Screenwriter
Hunt Stromberg	Producer

Editorial Reviews

MGM pulled out all the stops for The Firefly, a lavish period operetta which star Jeanette McDonald saw as a chance to remind audiences that she could carry a movie without the assistance of her frequent co-star Nelson eddy. In Eddy's place is Allan Jones, and the change is most welcome. Jones possessed a sterling light tenor voice that was perfect for the Rudolf Friml score, and unlike Eddy, he could handle comedy. If he was still a bit wooden in spots, there was nevertheless a definite chemistry between him and MacDonald. For her part, the luscious soprano is in glorious voice, riding the crest of Friml's melodic waves like the champion she is and making the most of those thrilling high notes. She's a fine comedienne as well, and can handle dramatic chores with aplomb. That's a good thing, as it takes all her effort to make the idiotic screenplay of The Firefly into something watchable. The plotting comes across as ludicrous and the dialogue, even with an assist from Ogden Nash, lacks sufficient sparkle. Robert Z. Leonard directs for maximum impact in terms of the sets, the costumes and the overwhelming number of extras that fill the screen, but his pacing is uneven, and the film is simply too long. Watch it for the stars and the songs, especially Jones' "Donkey Serenade," which became forever associated with him.