Wonderland Burlesque's Let's All Go To The Movies: She's A Lady! - Part XXXVIII

Wonderland Burlesque's

Let's All Go To The Movies

She's A Lady!

Part XXXVIII

Yes, sometimes? It takes a lady.

And sometimes that lady likes her camellias.

Or so these films would have us believe.

They promise lots of drama, the occasional comedy or musical, and a little bit of dirt!

Let's take a walk down Hollywood Blvd. and shine a light on these magnificent classic films.

This way, if you please. But remember...

Ladies first!

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Note: In 1915, there were two filmed versions of this classic story, one of which you can see in its entirety for free on YouTube. It was also filmed in France in 1921 (also available on YouTube). The story has been filmed and staged, sung and danced numerous times throughout the years. And, of course, the most famous version is that of Camille (1936), starring Greta Garbo. 

The Lady Of the Camellias

(1925)

AKA: Damen med kameliorna

Alexandre Dumas' tragic love story between Marguerite Gautier and Armand Duval.

A Swedish adaptation of the 1848 novel The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas, this Swedish silent historical drama was directed by Olof Molander and stars Tora Teje, Uno Henning and Nils Aréhn 

Shot at the Råsunda Studios in Stockholm, the film's sets were designed by the art director Vilhelm Bryde.

 

Uno Henning and Tora Teje
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The Lady Of the Camellias

(1934)

AKA: La Dame Aux Camelias

Based on the 1848 novel The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas.

This French historical romantic drama was directed by Fernand Rivers and Abel Gance and stars Yvonne Printemps, Pierre Fresnay and Jane Marken.

The film's sets were designed by the art directors Henri Ménessier and René Renoux.

Yvonne Printemps

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The Lady Of the Camellias
(1947)
AKA: La Signora dalle Camelie, Sacrificio de Mujer, The Lost One

A courtesan sacrifices her relationship with a youthful admirer after the man's father pleads with her.

An adaptation of the 1853 opera La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, this Italian musical drama was directed by Carmine Gallone and stars Nelly Corradi, Gino Mattera and Manfredi Polverosi.

In 1948 it was released in America by Columbia Pictures under the title The Lost One.

The film's sets were designed by the art director Gastone Medin. Costume design was by Georges Annenkov.

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The Lady Of the Camellias

(1953)

AKA: La dame aux camélias, La signora dalle camelie

Young and handsome Armand Duval falls in love with Marguerite Gautier, a 'demi-mondaine'. He manages to persuade her to give up her life as a courtesan and they both settle down in the country. Tthe beginning of their idyll is like a dream but a short-lived one as their relationship is considered scandalous by Armand's family. During a secret visit to Marguerite, Armand's father convinces her to leave his son, which she does broken-heartedly but out of love for Armand. Her end will be doubly tragic; not only does she suffer from terminal tuberculosis but she is abandoned by everyone, including by Armand, who believes she has betrayed her. At long last, learning the truth, Armand rushes to her bedside and Marguerite has the joy to breathe her last in his arms.

Based on the 1848 novel of the same title by Alexandre Dumas, this French-Italian historical drama was directed by Raymond Bernard and stars Micheline Presle, Gino Cervi and Roland Alexandre. 

The film was shot in Gevacolour at the Billancourt Studios in Paris and on location around the city.

The film's sets were designed by the art director Léon Barsacq.

Micheline Presle

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The Lady Of the Camellias

(1953)

AKA: La mujer de las camelias

Margarita, a French courtesan, experiences genuine love for first time, in the arms of much-younger Armand. It is an Argentine adaptation of a familiar Alexandre Dumas story, previously dramatized as La Traviata and Camille.

This Argentine drama was directed by Ernesto Arancibia and stars Zully Moreno and Carlos Thompson

The first ever film from Argentina to win a Golden Globe. This was for Best Foreign Film in 1955. Zully Moreno would also win Argentina's 1953 Premios Sur Award for Best Actress, an award given annually by the Argentine Academy of Cinematography Arts and Sciences. 

Zully Moreno

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The Lady Without Camellias

(1953)

By a twist of fate a photogenic Milanese shop assistant, gets the leading role in an Italian movie producer's latest romantic drama. As a result, the statuesque brunette becomes an overnight sensation in Rome. But as the role transforms her into a silver-screen diva, catapulting her into stardom, the young ingenue feels more and more deceived. Failed relationships and disastrous choices proceed to crush the young woman's dreams as she comes to learn that the glamorous movie industry is a cruel world rife with false promises. With her back to the wall, she must make a pivotal life decision... a future career in film? Or...?

Based on a story by Michelangelo Antonioni, this French–Italian drama was directed by Antonioni and stars Lucia Bosé, Gino Cervi, and Andrea Checchi.

Antonioni based his screenplay on the stories of newly-discovered actresses who rise to fame - such as Gina Lollobrigida, who was offered the lead, but refused, as did Sophia Loren. Eventually, former beauty queen Lucia Bosé was chosen for the title role.

The film was shot in Rome, Venice and Milan.

 Lucia Bosé

You can watch this film in its entirety for free on YouTube

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The Lady Of the Camellias

(1981)

AKA: La Dame aux Camelias, La storia vera della signora dalle camelie

A young girl from the provinces, comes to Paris with one goal: to become a part of the rich bourgeoisie. To achieve this she will use her unique beauty and charm.

This French-Italian drama was directed by Mauro Bolognini and stars Isabelle Huppert.

Franco Zeffirelli had been trying to film La Dame aux Camelias as a starring vehicle for Olivia Hussey but had trouble getting funding for it (she turned down multiple roles to keep herself available for it). While Hussey was away filming Lost Horizon (1973), he ended up casting Liza Minnelli, who had just won an Oscar for Cabaret (1972), but the project never materialized and was only relaunched in 1979 with Mauro Bolognini directing and producing it. Zeffirelli did eventually produce a production on Broadway starring Susan Strasberg.

Isabelle Huppert

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And that's all for now, folks!

Tune in next time...

Same place, same channel. 

The Lady of the Camellias

1981

Main Theme - Ennio Morricone