Paris (1929 film)

Andrew Sabbot, a naïve young man from the American Midwest, is sent to Paris by his stern, conservative mother, Cora Sabbot, to study art. While in the City of Light, Andrew becomes captivated by Vivienne Rolland, a glamorous and spirited actress who reigns as the toast of the Parisian stage. Vivienne, intrigued by Andrew's earnest charm and provincial innocence, quickly warms to him. She declares her intent to marry him—on the condition that his mother approves. Determined to secure Cora's blessing, Vivienne makes every effort to win her over. Cora, however, disapproves of actresses and travels to Paris herself, bringing along her demure companion, Brenda Kaley, intending to put an end to the romance. Vivienne meets Cora with grace and humility, pledging not to marry Andrew without her consent. But Cora is unwavering and flatly refuses. Complicating matters is Guy Pennell, Vivienne's suave and dashing leading man in the revue. Guy is secretly in love with Vivienne and, once he recognizes the budding romance between her and Andrew, decides to sabotage it. After Cora faints from the shock of Parisian decadence, Guy gives her brandy to revive her. Cora, surprisingly taken with the taste, becomes tipsy—and liberated. Emboldened by her new attitude, she undergoes a stunning transformation: bobbing her hair, adopting the latest fashions, and indulging in a flirtatious liaison with none other than Guy Pennell himself. Their increasingly outrageous behavior embarrasses Andrew, who is heartbroken by his mother's wild conduct. Meanwhile, Vivienne, growing suspicious of Guy's true feelings, orchestrates a scheme to test him. She orders her maid to light smoke pots backstage to simulate a fire and incite panic. Nearly-naked chorus girls and costumed performers pour into the streets in confusion. But the plan misfires—Vivienne and Cora are both ushered out before Guy has the chance to "heroically" save either woman. Undeterred, Cora and Guy announce their engagement, to Andrew's dismay. Devastated by the turn of events, Andrew tries to stop the marriage, but fails. In the fallout, Vivienne and Andrew have a final argument, during which she returns his ring and he departs, accompanied by Brenda. Afterward, Vivienne uncovers the truth: Cora's scandalous transformation was an act, and she had conspired with Guy to break up Vivienne and Andrew. Enraged by the deception and betrayal, Vivienne sends Guy away. But as he leaves, she realizes her true feelings for him and chases after him—calling him back into her arms. The film ends with Vivienne embraced by Guy, choosing passion over propriety. ==Cast==

• Irène Bordoni as Vivienne Rolland • Jack Buchanan as Guy Pennell • Louise Closser Hale as Cora Sabbot • Jason Robards as Andrew Sabbot • ZaSu Pitts as Harriet • Margaret Fielding as Brenda Kaley • Ruth Eddings as Chorus Girl (uncredited) • Peggy Larson as Chorus Girl (uncredited) • Gloria Stratton as Chorus Girl (uncredited) • Irene Thompson as Chorus Girl (uncredited) • The Larry Ceballos Girls as Dancers (uncredited) ==Production==

Warner Bros. paid the celebrated French music hall star and Broadway chanteuse Irène Bordoni $10,000 a week to star in this film, playing the role she had originated on Broadway, introducing the enduring Porter standard "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love". While this film was being shot, the studio was in the process of completing their all-star revue The Show of Shows (1929), so they had Bordoni film a number for the revue. Their initial intention was to have Bordoni star in two musical features, but due to the poor box-office reception of the Broadway production of Paris, they decided not to make any more films with her. It was Buchanan's first American film. ==Songs==

• "The Land of Going to Be"- by Cole Porter, performed by Jack Buchanan and Irène Bordoni with Jack Buchanan on piano • "My Lover"- by Al Bryan and Eddie Ward, performed by Irène Bordoni with First National Vitaphone Orchestra • "Paris"- by E. Ray Goetz and Louis Alter, performed by Irène Bordoni with First National Vitaphone Orchestra and Stage Chorus • "Somebody Mighty Like You"- by Al Bryan and Eddie Ward, performed by Irène Bordoni and Jack Buchanan with First National Vitaphone Orchestra • "Don't Look at Me That Way"- by Cole Porter, performed by Irène Bordoni with First National Vitaphone Orchestra • "Crystal Girl"- by Al Bryan and Eddie Ward, performed by First National Vitaphone Stage Chorus and Orchestra • "I'm a Little Negative (Looking for a Positive)"- by Al Bryan and Eddie Ward, performed by Jack Buchanan with First National Vitaphone Orchestra • "I Wonder What is Really on his Mind"- by Al Bryan and Eddie Ward, performed by Irène Bordoni with First National Vitaphone Orchestra • "Miss Wonderful"- by Al Bryan and Eddie Ward, performed by Jack Buchanan with First National Vitaphone Orchestra and Stage Chorus • "Among My Souvenirs"- by Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson, performed by Irène Bordoni with First National Vitaphone Orchestra • Finale; Paris Medley, "Crystal Girl"(First National Vitaphone Orchestra and Stage Chorus)/"Miss Wonderful"(First National Vitaphone Orchestra and Stage Chorus)/"The Land of Going to Be"(Irène Bordoni with First National Vitaphone Orchestra)/"My Lover"(Irène Bordoni with First National Vitaphone Orchestra)/"Paris"(First National Vitaphone Orchestra and Stage Chorus) ==Advertisement==

Paris used advertisements of a type which were common for its time, featuring the talking in the film and Irène Bordoni starring. One ad for Paris said "See the talking picture of the future". ==Preservation==

One of the color reels from Paris exists at the British Film Institute (BFI) archive. The complete international soundtrack also survives on Vitaphone disks in the synchronized sound version. Only disc 7 of the American talking version exists. The sound tape reels for this film survive at UCLA Film & Television Archive. According to the George Eastman Museum 2015 book The Dawn of Technicolor, 1915-1935, there are three fragments at the Seaver Center. In 2018, BFI discovered a one-minute Technicolor fragment being used as a film leader, along with fragments of various other films, which are included in video posted to YouTube on April 27, 2018. ==Box office==

According to Warner Bros. records, the film earned $632,000 domestically and $541,000 in other markets. ==See also==