DINNER AT THE RITZ
UK, 1937, 77 minutes, Black and white.
Annabella, Paul Lukas, David Niven, Romney Brent, Stewart Rome, Francis L. Sullivan, Nora Swinburne.
Directed by Harold Schuster.
Dinner at the Ritz is a mid-'30s comedy melodrama, remembering the financial crises in France of several years earlier, especially the intervention of financier Staviski (subject of a film starring Jean Paul Belmondo). The film is British, small-budget, with international stars and strong supporting British cast. It is a star vehicle for Annabella (Suez). Paul Lukas portrays his usual suave villain, David Niven his usual suave hero. Interesting British characters include Francis L. Sullivan.
The film is brief in running time, yet packs quite a lot of intrigue into its drama.
1. Enjoyable comedy melodrama? The world of finance, intrigue, violence and murder, blackmail? Yet with the light touch?
2. British production, black and white photography, locations and French settings? Musical score?
3. The title and the dramatic ending - with the humorous twist?
4. Ranie and her engagement to Philip? The romance, yet her hesitation? Her relationship with her father, his wanting to talk seriously with her? The accident and the encounter with Paul? The social, the death of her father? The investigation, the suicide verdict? Her grief, wanting to pursue the truth? The American police inspector and working with him? The auction and her skill in persuading people to buy? The jeweller and his plan for her to be Spanish nobility? Going to the Riviera, her gambling, the selling of the jewels? Meeting Paul? Suspicious of him? Meeting Brogard and knowing him to be the villain? The disguise, seen through or not? The relationship with Paul, thinking that he was in league with Brogard? Her going to England, dressing as an Indian, being discovered? The build-up to the climax? Philip as villain? The burnt letter? Persuading Brogard that they had the letter? Vindicating her father, giving the money back to the debtors? Romance with Paul?
5. Paul and David Niven's suave style, man of mystery, the accident, at the party? His investigations? On the Riviera, attracted to Ranie - and in her disguise? Helping her, the yacht, scene with Brogard? In London, discovering the truth? The confrontation? Happy ending?
6. Philip, suave manner, revealed as a villain? Killing Ranie's father? On the Riviera, the murders, the plan for the letter? The final confrontation, fight and death?
7. Francis L. Sullivan as Brogard, his gambling, plans, the yacht? The finale and his paying back the money? Seeing it as a sporting gamble?
8. Ranie's father, his sincerity, the letter with the names? Duval and the interception of the letter? Deceiving Philip? Sending for blackmail money, Philip killing him?
9. The American detective, the pursuit, the final rescue?
10. The film relating to realities in French government and finance of the early '30s? The comment on international money exchanges and blackmail of the period?
