Film Review
One of the most notorious political-financial scandals of all time is
skilfully portrayed in this early film from Michael Curtiz, famously
the directors of such Hollywood classics as
Captain Blood (1935),
The Adventures of Robin Hood
(1938) and
Casablanca (1942). The
scandal was orchestrated by the insanely ambitious fraudster Serge
Alexandre Stavisky, whose criminal activities in the early 1930s
implicated a wide spectrum of important society figures (politicians,
financiers, police chiefs, etc.). The collapse of Stavisky's
investment bubble resulted in high profile arrests and riots on the
streets of Paris, and it was this, along with speculation over his
demise (which was thought to have been a fake suicide instigated by
the government) which led to the
resignation of French prime minister Camille Chautemps and very nearly
toppled the Third Republic.
Stolen
Holiday covers these momentous events with surprising accuracy,
changing only the names of the characters involved in the drama.
Little wonder the film was never released in France. It
would be another four decades before a French filmmaker was minded to
revisit this turbulent page in French history - Alain Resnais with
Stavisky
(1974).
With no political axe to grind, Curtiz is able to focus on the human
dimension of Stavisky's tragic story, and he does so with his customary
flair, aided and abetted by some superlative acting talent.
Claude Rains is perfectly cast as the smoother-than-Teflon crooked
financier Stavisky (here named Orloff), exuding charm from every pore
as he manipulates and deceives all who fall under his spell (including
the audience). Kay Francis is stunning as his
protégée and unwitting partner in crime, the Trilby to
Rains' Svengali. Ian Hunter makes a suitable contrast to Rains, a
likeable good guy who lacks the latter's charisma and powers of
seduction, whilst a magnificent Alison Skipworth almost steals the film
with her comedy grotesque, Nicole's fortune-telling sidekick. The
performances are as flawless and compelling as in any other Michael
Curtiz film, although we never lose sight of wider human tragedy
resulting from Stavisky's criminal exploits - this is driven home by a
spectacular riot sequence at the film's dramatic climax.
Stolen Holiday may not have enjoyed
the longevity and fame of Curtiz's other great films of this era, but
it is well-worth watching, if only to savour the delectable rapport
between Rains and his gorgeous co-star.
© James Travers 2012
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Next Michael Curtiz film:
Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
Film Synopsis
In the early 1930s, Nicole Picot works as a model for a Paris fashion
house. One day, she is selected by Stefan Orloff to pose as his
wife at a dinner date so that he can persuade a wealthy investor that
he is well up in French society. The scam works and in no time
Orloff becomes a hugely successful financier. He rewards Nicole
by supplying her with the wherewithal to start her own couturier
business. Unbeknown to Nicole, Orloff's success is founded on
corruption and deceit and it is not long before the house of cards
begins to collapse. As his latest fraud is exposed, Orloff faces
arrest, along with some prominent members of French society. To
save his reputation and buy himself some time, Orloff persuades Nicole
to marry him, even though she has fallen in love with another man, a
British diplomat named Anthony Wayne. As disgruntled investors
start to riot in the streets, Orloff takes flight with his
new bride, but justice soon catches up with him...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.