Flyerplesys Perfectly adorable

Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

SteinMo What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Alex da Silva Tallulah Bankhead is Catherine the Great and runs the Russian Palace as she chooses. In reality, it is Charles Coburn who fixes things to run smoothly as the Chancellor and she allows him a few discretions, ie, pocketing money for himself. Into this Court arrives Lieutenant (I think) William Eythe to warn Tallulah that she is in great danger – she already knows this but she fancies him and this is the driving force behind the film. I forget what rank he is in the army but you will understand my memory lapse once you have seen the film.The film is a comedy and can be slightly over-the-top in terms of acting techniques, especially, William Eythe. The cast are all pretty good in their roles – Anne Baxter holds her own in scenes with Tallulah as her lady-in-waiting, but it is Tallulah's show and she doesn't disappoint in her delivery. Coburn is also good. However, other characters do grate slightly, especially at the beginning in a sequence with traitor General Sig Ruman (Vronsky) which goes on for too long, playing for humour and missing the mark. Also, Vincent Price turns up as a French diplomat affecting a shockingly bad French accent. Why?Overall, the film is OK, funny in parts, but nothing great which is ultimately a disappointment as I was expecting better. A time-passer and chance to see Tallulah in action.

edwagreen I guess that Ernst Lubitsch's fans would like this production. To me, it was nothing more than a silly farce with Tallulah Bankhead's off-the-wall performance as Catherine The Great. Naturally, she is domineering here as she constantly tells everyone to shut up.This black and white costume period piece is basically the story of a vain woman refusing to admit that she is getting older and even though she is the queen, she flirts quite well with her subjects and others.Eythe, who was so good in 1947's masterpiece, "The House on 92nd Street," is foppish here as her devoted army officer who raises to general within 10 minutes after telling Catherine that she isn't safe.Anne Baxter is briefly seen but gives her all as a lady-in-waiting, the lover of Eythe. Then there is Charles Coburn in his usual take charge position as the treasurer. A sly fox, he knows which way the wind is blowing.Vincent Price briefly appears with his French accent as a count, who charms the heart of the great queen.

tentender ...but, oh, so much more. This film is, as other posts have already indicated, a buried treasure. Produced and prepared by Lubitsch, its source is the same as that of the Lubitsch-directed silent "Forbidden Paradise" (1924, starring Pola Negri, Adolphe Menjou and Rod La Rocque), considered by critic Paul Rotha to be Lubitsch's most brilliant film. "A Royal Scandal," surprisingly, has taken a critical drubbing over the years, and director Preminger professed not to like it. (It should be remembered, though, that Preminger, when interviewed, was often vague about his films.) Seems that Otto, though a great admirer of Lubitsch (and who was not?) did not feel comfortable with "the Lubitsch touch," which, he says, too often sacrificed character for easy laughs -- and, in this case, required an empress to act unlike an empress. Perhaps -- but on the other hand, on the evidence of this film, Preminger's mastery of the Lubitsch touch was thorough. The film is brilliantly paced (rapid fire and crackling dialogue throughout), superbly acted, magnificently designed and photographed, and scored very creatively by Alfred Newman. One sees the seeds for Tallulah's famous (though by now, sadly, near forgotten) offstage character in her shameless cruising of the young soldier (William Eythe) who wants no greater glory than to be close to the throne. And at this point, she is young enough to pull it off gracefully, veering just to the edge of camp without crossing the line. Eythe is a more-than-promising comedian: his two brief blinks as the empress Catherine tells him that she can see in his eyes that he is "good and true" are alone worth the price of admission. (Scenes between the two of them comprise a good half of the film.) Charles Coburn is very wisely used -- a consummate reactor, he is often seen in the background tellingly reacting to two characters' interaction in the foreground. Which is not to say that he doesn't have his own very bright moments. (Catherine's chancellor, he is the character who makes all the wheels turn.) Anne Baxter brings fire and music to her role as Eythe's fiancée, and Vincent Price brings a great deal of wit to what is little more than a cameo as the French ambassador. Mischa Auer, too, is particularly good in this film (as he is not always). For once he is not required to pull out his heavy accent and -- surprise! -- he speaks perfectly excellent English! A thoroughly entertaining film, and perhaps if its director hadn't expressed his reservations it would have a better reputation today. In my opinion, it's really stronger and more of a "Lubitsch picture" than most any of the (in my heretical opinion) somewhat overrated Ernst's later efforts, "Heaven Can Wait" and "Cluny Brown", lovely as they are, notwithstanding: this one's a gem. Just released (March 2006) on a Columbia DVD in France. Not the most perfect print, but probably better than any seen in a theater for many, many years. (The French subtitles, on the other hand, can't be turned off, which is fairly inexcusable.) By the way, I watched this movie twice within a span of 24 hours and it was even better the second time. (Since this was written, there has been released in the U.K. a double bill DVD of this with "Margin for Error," Preminger's first film, which makes it something of a bargain, though "Margin" is hardly essential.)

willie-14 I saw this movie over 30 years ago on late night television. I was expecting a dry costume drama, but ended up laughing my head off at one of the classiest comedies I have ever seen. And unfortunately that was it. I have never seen it again, on TV or on video. In fact I don't think it has ever been released on video. Talullah's film appearances were few, and this showed her at her forte, comedy. Granted, she was also one of the great dramatic actresses of her day (her performance in The Little Foxes on Broadway is considered to be one of the finest of the 20th century), but more marketable actresses always won out over her in Hollywood (she never forgave Bette Davis for stealing the Foxes role from her). When can a larger audience expect to see this comic gem? (and when can I find out if my childhood memories can stand up to my adult tastes?)