ZOO IN BUDAPEST
US, 1933, 85 minutes, Black and white.
Loretta Young, Gene Raymond.
Directed by Rowland V. Lee.
Zoo in Budapest is an early romantic comedy from the sound era. It has a touch of the exotic with the setting in Hungary.
The film was also an early film for Loretta Young, at this time aged twenty. She is paired with Gene Raymond, a popular romantic lead of this period.
The film shows young people, in Hollywood’s version of Hungary and Budapest, exploring the nature of a zoo, the philosophy of freedom, care, the killing of animals, furs – issues which remain contemporary. There is also a dramatic climax with the animals in revolt, symbol of nature’s revolt against human manipulation.
The film was written by its director, Rowland Lee. Lee had been making films since 1920 and was to make some classics including the Robert Donat Count of Monte Cristo in the following year. He also made Son of Frankenstein, The Bridges of San Luis Rey and Captain Kidd.
1. Entertaining romantic comedy? Its quaint style? The background of the '30s? Romance and the build-up to the climax?
2. Thirties style in characterisation, romance? Hollywood's version of Hungary and Budapest? offbeat romantic comedy? In historical perspective?
3. Black and white photography, light and shadow? The zoo? Action sequences and effects? Scoring - over-scored?
4. The response to the zoo, the variety of animals, the philosophy of freedom, care, the question of killing animals and furs? The range of people visiting the zoo, watching the animals?
5. Management: the doctor and his pleasant regime, the administration, the guards? The medical interest? Zani and his mischievous presence in the zoo? Good with the animals? Heini - the potential villain? The zoo as the microcosm of the city?
6. Zani as the innocent hero? His stealing the furs. the comic touches, watching the children, seeing Eve and his fascination, taunting her, saving her? Falling in love? Paul? The rescue? The melodramatics of the animals loose? The happy ending? The innocent '30s hero?
7. The portrait of the orphans and their oppression, regimentation, cruelty? The girls and the organising of Eve's escape? Taunting her? The details of the escape? The zoo, the animals, the darkness? Fear? Her changing her clothes - and Zani to the rescue? Hiding in the cave? Falling in love? Concern for Paul? Heini’s attack?
8. Paul and the governess, the comedy, fear, lost in the zoo, the animals, the animals unleashed, the details of the rescue operation?
9. Heini and his sinister appearance, providing the melodramatic touches, the fight with Zani?
10. The tender style of the romance blended with the excitement of the animals loose and Zani's heroics in rescuing Paul?
11. The presentation of traditional values? A pleasing and 'nice' film?
