(1939)
2.5
Craig Butler
Even in 1939, it was clear that Zaza, the stage origins of which date back to 1899, had become more than a trifle outdated. Modern audiences are therefore likely to find its melodramatics rather on the unconvincing side. Screenwriter Zoe Akins demonstrates her skill in molding the material, but it's still a rather stilted and excessively manipulative film. Director George Cukor does help things by emphasizing the backstage aspects and helping to create an atmospheric world of theatrical sawdust that's still glamorous and terribly elegant. More importantly, Zaza has the incomparable Claudette Colbert on hand in the title role. She's not giving one of her greatest performances, but her sheer star persona goes a long way to making Zaza watchable. Colbert knows how to suffer in the grand cine-theatrical manner, and she makes much of the ripeness of the script palatable. Also invaluable is Bert Lahr, given the opportunity to be both amusing and somewhat melancholy. On the debit side is Herbert Marshall, a fine actor giving an uninspired, uninvolved performance here.
cast-crew for Zaza on AllMovie
Zaza (1939)
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