The Cat and the Fiddle (1934)
Directed by William K. Howard / William Howard
Genres - Musical, Romance |
Sub-Genres - Backstage Musical, Musical Comedy |
Release Date - Feb 16, 1934 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 90 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Based on the stage musical by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach, The Cat and the Fiddle stars Jeanette MacDonald as a music student and Ramon Novarro as a struggling composer. When the leading lady walks out of Victor's (Novarro) upcoming operetta, the star's husband pulls his financial support. The leading man ankles the production shortly thereafter, compelling Victor to play the role himself. All this scenario needs is fair Shirley (MacDonald) as the last minute-replacement for the missing leading lady -- but Shirley has given up music to marry philandering (but wealthy) Daudet (Frank Morgan). The fact that the film's final scene was lensed in Technicolor should indicate whether or not Shirley comes to Victor's rescue. Only one song from the original stage production of The Cat and the Fiddle was used in the film version; the remaining (and forgettable) tunes were penned by Kern and Harbach exclusively for the film.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
composer, love, romance, career, finances, love-choices, rescue, philandering