April In Paris

Warner Bros, 1952
Starring Doris Day, Ray Bolger, Claude Dauphin, and Eve Miller
Directed by David Butler
Music by Vernon Duke; Lyrics by E.Y Harburg and Sammy Cahn

Although it was originally released at Christmas, this fluffy Day vehicle is the perfect lightweight romantic comedy for a warm spring day. Given the title, it was practically mandatory for me to get it in this month. Is it as romantic and dreamy as Paris in the spring? Let's first take a trip to Washington DC's state department and check in with the government to find out...

The Story: Assistant Secretary Winthrop Putham (Bolger) is in a tizzy. He's putting on a huge art exposition in Paris, but the invitation he meant to send to Ethel Barrymore instead was mailed to chorus girl "Dynamite" Ethel Jackson (Day). He initially tells her about the mistake, but his boss, Secretary Robert Sherman (Paul Harvey), actually decides he likes the idea. Ethel would be happier about the whole thing if her big ocean voyage to France didn't most involved being grilled in French by stuffy government officials. She sneaks down to the galley to party with the crew, including waiter Phillipe Fouquet (Dauphin). Winthrop is order to tell her that she's done...but ends up getting drunk and marrying her, to the horror of his bossy fiancee, Secretary Sherman's daughter Marcia (Miller). Now the two have to figure out how to get out of this mess...and then if they actually want to.

The Song and Dance: There's some charm to be found in this fizzy tale. Bolger does get a few funny moments, especially spoofing the US governments' fondness for titles and underlings. Harvey's even funnier as the stuffed-shirt senator. Day has her moments as well, especially sniping with Bolger early-on and when she gets into a cat fight with Miller during the art exposition.

Favorite Number: The best song from this one by far is "We're Going to Ring the Bell Tonight," Day and Bolger's big dance routine with Dauphin and the crew in the gallery. There's more verve and energy in that number than there is in the entire rest of the movie. Bolger also has a nice solo dance in his boss' office, when he's dreaming of making it to the top of the White House.

What I Don't Like: Bolger and Day are mismatched. They have absolutely no chemistry whatsoever. You'd never believe she'd fall for him so quickly, especially after the whole thing with the letter was his fault. Bolger never did work well as a romantic leading man. Dauphin is way over the top as the mischievous French waiter who causes a lot of the trouble, to the point where he's more annoying than anything. Other than Dauphin, the movie doesn't have a drop of French flavor. It looks and sounds like something that was filmed on an American sound stage in the 50's. The romantic comedy contrivances veer between cliched and ridiculous. By the end, you start to wish the two would either get a room or just part, given how long they draw it out.

The Big Finale: In the end, a few good numbers can't be redeemed by miscasting and a dull plot. Worth seeing once for fans of Day, Bolger, romantic comedies, or 50's musicals. Everyone else is probably better off looking up their favorite recording of the title song.

Home Media: The solo DVD is currently available via the Warner Archives; it can also be found as part of a Doris Day DVD set.

DVD
DVD - TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection
Amazon Prime