"Paradise for Three" is a screwball comedy and romance based on a book by German poet, novelist and children's author, Erich Kästner. Those who have seen "The Parent Trap" films will be familiar with his work. The story takes place in Vienna and the Alps. This film premiered in New York on February 15, 1938, and opened across much of Europe by the summer. The world was in a slow recovery from the Great Depression, and World War II was still a year and a half away.
Hollywood was making films across most genres. And quite a few comedies, romance and other films were still being set in Europe and other countries. Another comedy released the same time as this one was 20th Century Fox's "The Baroness and the Butler," that starred William Powell and Annabella, and was set in Hungary. There were several other films that year set in England, France, Italy, and Austria, and others set in Algeria, Egypt, Mexico, and elsewhere.
Trips to Europe were popular for those who could afford them. But for most people who couldn't afford such expensive travel in those days, movies set in the Alps and such exotic places were popular, whether or not one enjoyed winter sports. And, "Paradise" did very well. It finished in the top third of box office receipts for the year, with ticket sales more than eight times its budget.
The cast for this film includes some of the best known actors of comedy of the time. Robert Young in the male lead and Frank Morgan in the second male spot made many other films. But the key players in the supporting cast were giants of the day in comedy. They include Edna May Oliver as Mrs. Kunkel, Reginald Owen as Johann Kesselhut, Herman Bing as Mr. Polter, and Sig Ruman as Mr. Bold. The rest of the cast contribute nicely, including Academy Award winner Mary Astor as Mrs. Irene Mallebre, Henry Hull as Sepp, and Walter Kingsford as Reichenbach. The least known of the cast beyond the early 1940s would be the female lead, Florence Rice. After a decade in films, with few leading roles, she quit Hollywood in 1943 at age 36.
The comedy starts when Morgan's Rudolph Tobler sponsors a slogan contest for his Tobler soap product. Robert Young's Fritz Hagedorn wins first place, but Tobler's own entry under an assumed name of Edward Schultz, wins second place. Their prizes are two-week vacations at the Paradise Hotel in the Alps. Tobler decides that he would like to go as the second place winner to see how the real people live, and have some fun himself. He doesn't want his crotchety old house matron, Mrs. Kunkel, to know his plans so he fakes a business trip to Paris from Vienna. He has to take his valet along to fool Kunkel, but he makes a hotel reservation for Johann Kesselhut as a Baltic Sea shipping owner.
Bolt, Polter and Sepp are all with the hotel, and Astor's Mrs. Irene Mallebre is one of the women gold-diggers staying there and looking for a wealthy husband. Tobler's daughter, Hilde, becomes the romantic part of the story with Fritz. Mayhem and hilarity rule at the Hotel Paradise and on the surrounding slopes as the vacationers all do some skiing, dancing and partying. The film has some nice clips of skiers on the slopes - filmed somewhere. And, some funny and authentic yodeling takes place. The ending back in Vienna caps this very enjoyable film with more humor.
This is a screwball comedy that should entertain people well into the future. Here are some favorite lines.
Mrs. Kunkel, "And this in case you have another dizzy spell." Rudolph Tobler, "I haven't had a dizzy spell in three years." Kunkel, "Just about time for another one."
Mrs. Kunkel, "I couldn't believe my ears when Johann confessed to me." Hilde Tobler, "Confessed? Well, you probably blackmailed him into it." Kunkel, "I did nothing of the sort. I merely mentioned an incident in his early life."
Fritz Hagedorn, "Well, isn't there something I can do?" Mrs. Irene Malebre, "You might ask me to dance." Fritz, "I hardly expected to be rewarded for my clumsiness."
Fritz Hagedorn, "In case we get killed, who are you?" Hilde Tobler, "In case we get killed, it doesn't matter."
Sepp, "I live in a house, not in a room with a number on the door."
Sepp, "It's only when people don't like each other that they gotta have lotsa rooms. Just like a boy or a girl. If they're in love, one chair is plenty."
Irene Mallebre, "You dance divinely, Edward." Rudolph Tobler, incognito as Edward Schultz, "Oh, heh, I hope I'm not tiring you, Irene." Irene, as they bounce around the floor, "With you it doesn't even seem like dancing."
Mrs. Kunkel, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? A man of your age - yodeling with a divorcee."
Irene Mallebre, "My dear Mrs. Kunkel, what an original costume. What do you represent, a wounded soldier?" Rudolph Tobler, "It looks more like a wounded spy to me." Mrs. Kunkel, "It's not a costume. I was hurt." Tobler, "You're lucky. Spies are usually shot." (Everyone laughs.) Tobler, looking at Johann Kesselhut in his admiral costume, "Yes, and as for admirals, they're very often sunk. (Everyone laughs more.)
Sepp, "I'm so glad you are a rich man." Rudolph Tobler, "Why?" Sepp, "Because as a poor man, you could never make a living."
Rudolph Tobler, "You mustn't worry, Hilde. If he really loves you, it won't matter even if you are wealthy. And, after all, he must make some sacrifices."
Hilde Tobler, "No, I'm not afraid - just a little scared."
Mrs. Kunkel, "You, you weasel." Fritz Hagedorn, "You old battle ax."
Rudolph Tobler, "Oh, here, give me that brandy. I can't bear to see a woman faint."
