by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Director Douglas Sirk's love of cinematic esoterica was kept in check in the musical comedy Slightly French. Dorothy Lamour stars as Mary O'Leary, a carnival entertainer who's discovered by enterprising director John Gayle (Don Ameche). The plot dictates that Gayle must pass off Mary as an elegant Parisian actress/singer. This slender plotline enables the film to toss off a number of satirical quips about show biz, and to display Lamour in a variety of exotic costumes. The best musical numbers occur during an extended film-within-a-film sequence. Slightly French is buoyed by its expert supporting cast, including Janis Carter, Willard Parker and Adele Jergens.
characteristics
- Masquerade
- Project [plan]
- Love
- Impersonation
- France
- Pygmalion
- Scam
- Transformation
- Unemployment
- Talent
- Swindle
- Star
- Forbidden-love
- Filmmaking
- Carnival
