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The Night Is Young

  • 19351935
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
260
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Ramon Novarro and Evelyn Laye in The Night Is Young (1935)
Austrian Emperor Franz Josef has arranged a marriage for his nephew, the Archduke Paul Gustave - nicknamed Gustl - to the suitable Princess Matilda, a woman Gustl can't even remember. He is instead in love with the Hungarian Countess Zarika Rafay, which Gustl can't tell his uncle since he disapproves of her family. The Emperor will allow Gustl to sow his wild oats before getting married, but that woman needs to be someone "harmless" outside of the royal circle. Since they discuss this situation while at the ballet, Gustl instead tells the Emperor that he is in love with one of the ballerinas, and the one he has chosen somewhat at random is the always distracted Lisl Gluck, who is considered the worst dancer in the company since she is always staring at the man she intends to marry, the ballet company's piano accompanist Toni Berngruber. When Gustl summons Lisl, she is relieved to learn his true intentions - that she is just a front while he cavorts secretly with the Countess (although he tells her nothing of his impending marriage to the Princess) - but less so when she learns that that requires her to live in his royal house. She agrees when Gustl promises to produce Toni's ballet in return. Although Toni knows nothing about the agreement between Lisl and Gustl, Lisl running off with Gustl does not sit well with him, who believes he can get any woman to replace Lisl. As Lisl and Gustl live their separate lives together, they find they have a fun time together, the other being different than those in their own social class. But an incident between Lisl, Toni and Gustl shows Lisl where her true feeling lie, those which were evident to Gustl much earlier. But can a union of an Archduke and a not so good ballerina work, let alone be sanctioned by the royal house?
Play trailer3:21
1 Video
8 Photos
  • Romance
  • Musical
  • Drama

Austrian Emperor Franz Josef has arranged a marriage for his nephew, the Archduke Paul Gustave - nicknamed Gustl - to the suitable Princess Matilda, a woman Gustl can't even remember. He is ... Read allAustrian Emperor Franz Josef has arranged a marriage for his nephew, the Archduke Paul Gustave - nicknamed Gustl - to the suitable Princess Matilda, a woman Gustl can't even remember. He is instead in love with the Hungarian Countess Zarika Rafay, which Gustl can't tell his uncle... Read allAustrian Emperor Franz Josef has arranged a marriage for his nephew, the Archduke Paul Gustave - nicknamed Gustl - to the suitable Princess Matilda, a woman Gustl can't even remember. He is instead in love with the Hungarian Countess Zarika Rafay, which Gustl can't tell his uncle since he disapproves of her family. The Emperor will allow Gustl to sow his wild oats bef... Read all

IMDb RATING
6.3/10
260
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Dudley Murphy
  • Writers
    • Edgar Allan Woolf(screen play)
    • Franz Schulz(screen play)
    • Vicki Baum(from the story by)
  • Stars
    • Ramon Novarro
    • Evelyn Laye
    • Charles Butterworth
Top credits
  • Director
    • Dudley Murphy
  • Writers
    • Edgar Allan Woolf(screen play)
    • Franz Schulz(screen play)
    • Vicki Baum(from the story by)
  • Stars
    • Ramon Novarro
    • Evelyn Laye
    • Charles Butterworth
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:21
    Trailer

    Photos8

    Ramon Novarro and Evelyn Laye in The Night Is Young (1935)
    Evelyn Laye in The Night Is Young (1935)
    Albert Conti, Charles Judels, Evelyn Laye, and Una Merkel in The Night Is Young (1935)
    Edward Everett Horton and Ramon Novarro in The Night Is Young (1935)
    Evelyn Laye and Una Merkel in The Night Is Young (1935)
    Ramon Novarro and Henry Stephenson in The Night Is Young (1935)
    Edward Everett Horton, Ramon Novarro, Elspeth Dudgeon, and Henry Stephenson in The Night Is Young (1935)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ramon Novarro
    Ramon Novarro
    • Archduke Paul 'Gustl' Gustaveas Archduke Paul 'Gustl' Gustave
    Evelyn Laye
    Evelyn Laye
    • Elizabeth Katherine Anne 'Lisl' Gluckas Elizabeth Katherine Anne 'Lisl' Gluck
    Charles Butterworth
    Charles Butterworth
    • Willy Fitchas Willy Fitch
    Una Merkel
    Una Merkel
    • Fanni Kerneras Fanni Kerner
    Edward Everett Horton
    Edward Everett Horton
    • Baron Szerenyas Baron Szereny
    Donald Cook
    Donald Cook
    • Toni Berngruberas Toni Berngruber
    Henry Stephenson
    Henry Stephenson
    • Emperor Franz Josefas Emperor Franz Josef
    Rosalind Russell
    Rosalind Russell
    • Countess Zarika Rafayas Countess Zarika Rafay
    Herman Bing
    Herman Bing
    • Nepomukas Nepomuk
    Mitzi
    • Mitzi - A Horseas Mitzi - A Horse
    Florine Baile
    • Undetermined Roleas Undetermined Role
    • (uncredited)
    Max Barwyn
    Max Barwyn
    • Max - the Waiteras Max - the Waiter
    • (uncredited)
    Art Berry Sr.
    • Undetermined Roleas Undetermined Role
    • (unconfirmed)
    • (uncredited)
    Albert Conti
    Albert Conti
    • Muelleras Mueller
    • (uncredited)
    George Davis
    George Davis
    • Milkmanas Milkman
    • (uncredited)
    Carlos De Valdez
    • Adjutantas Adjutant
    • (uncredited)
    Chico De Verdi
    • Undetermined Roleas Undetermined Role
    • (unconfirmed)
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Dooley
    Billy Dooley
    • Coronetistas Coronetist
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Dudley Murphy
    • Writers
      • Edgar Allan Woolf(screen play)
      • Franz Schulz(screen play)
      • Vicki Baum(from the story by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Austrian Emperor Franz Josef has arranged a marriage for his nephew, the Archduke Paul Gustave - nicknamed Gustl - to the suitable Princess Matilda, a woman Gustl can't even remember. He is instead in love with the Hungarian Countess Zarika Rafay, which Gustl can't tell his uncle since he disapproves of her family. The Emperor will allow Gustl to sow his wild oats before getting married, but that woman needs to be someone "harmless" outside of the royal circle. Since they discuss this situation while at the ballet, Gustl instead tells the Emperor that he is in love with one of the ballerinas, and the one he has chosen somewhat at random is the always distracted Lisl Gluck, who is considered the worst dancer in the company since she is always staring at the man she intends to marry, the ballet company's piano accompanist Toni Berngruber. When Gustl summons Lisl, she is relieved to learn his true intentions - that she is just a front while he cavorts secretly with the Countess (although he tells her nothing of his impending marriage to the Princess) - but less so when she learns that that requires her to live in his royal house. She agrees when Gustl promises to produce Toni's ballet in return. Although Toni knows nothing about the agreement between Lisl and Gustl, Lisl running off with Gustl does not sit well with him, who believes he can get any woman to replace Lisl. As Lisl and Gustl live their separate lives together, they find they have a fun time together, the other being different than those in their own social class. But an incident between Lisl, Toni and Gustl shows Lisl where her true feeling lie, those which were evident to Gustl much earlier. But can a union of an Archduke and a not so good ballerina work, let alone be sanctioned by the royal house? —Huggo
    • emperor
    • ballerina
    • vienna austria
    • royalty
    • restaurant
    • 14 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Young lovers in Vienna will dance into your heart!
    • Genres
      • Romance
      • Musical
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      M-G-M made this film in hopes of turning Novarro (a major leading man of the silent era) and Evelyn Laye (an established British singing star) into a second pair of "opera-singing lovebirds" like their highly successful duo of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. When it failed to impress critics or the movie-going public, both Novarro and Laye "involuntarily retired" from their screen careers.
    • Quotes

      Elizabeth Katherine Anne 'Lisl' Gluck: I know I'm only happy when I'm thinking about Toni.

      Fanni Kerner: Honestly, Lisl, I can't see what you see in that piano player.

      Elizabeth Katherine Anne 'Lisl' Gluck: Oh, I know you think he's conceited. I like conceited men. I don't like the other kind.

      Fanni Kerner: What other kind?

    • Soundtracks
      The Night is Young
      (1935) (uncredited)

      Music by Sigmund Romberg

      Libretto by Oscar Hammerstein II

      Played during the opening credits

      Sung by Ramon Novarro and Evelyn Laye

      Reprised by Evelyn Laye

      Played often as background music

    User reviews18

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Ramon Novarro Turns in His Crown
    "The Night Is Young" was the last film Ramon Novarro made as an MGM player, and ended his decade plus run as a Hollywood movie star. It's moderately successful, but apparently couldn't (at the time) make up for its disastrous predecessor "Laughing Boy" (1934), which failed to attract much money in either foreign or domestic markets. So, MGM and Mr. Novarro agreed to a mutual parting of their ways. There are some who believe Navarro was assisted in his declining popularity, due to his sexual preference.

    But, in hindsight, "The Night Is Young" looks more like the studio tried to rescue Novarro, after his first across-the-board flop. The production values are high, with many accomplished names appearing in the cast and crew. Novarro looks fit again, arresting a growing chubbiness (unfortunately, his character claims to be twenty-five). MGM took a chance with director Dudley Murphy and leading lady Evelyn Lave, however; if either one or the other were a stronger choice, the film might have worked.

    Most faulty is the story, which had half of its plot removed. Writer Vicki Baum (of "Grand Hotel" fame) originally wrote that Novarro's Prince picked his Ballerina to test his ability to procreate, before an arranged marriage (herein, to Rosalind Russell). Of course, the Prince falls in love with the Ballerina. Due to the adoption of the Hays Production Code, in 1934, the "sanctity of marriage" clause forbid what was to have originally occurred. See "The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg" (1927) for the real story.

    The soundtrack, by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II, begot a big ten-inch #1 hit for Kenny Sargent with Glen Gray's orchestra as "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" / "The Night Is Young" spent nearly half of 1935 on hit parades. Novarro declined an immediate return to MGM as "Ricardo" in The Marx Brothers' "A Night at the Opera" (which would have charmed many), and returned as the star of Republic's "The Sheik Steps Out" (1937). As usual, it was an unimaginative role choice.

    ***** The Night Is Young (1/11/35) Dudley Murphy ~ Ramon Novarro, Evelyn Laye, Charles Butterworth, Una Merkel
    helpful•6
    0
    • wes-connors
    • Sep 21, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 11, 1935 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Noc pripada mladosti
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $573,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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