Watch The Merry Widow

In the 1934 musical comedy film The Merry Widow, directed by Ernst Lubitsch, Maurice Chevalier stars as Prince Danilo, a rakish womanizer in his fictional country of Marshovia who finds his match in the wealthy American widow Crystal Radek, played by Jeanette MacDonald. Edward Everett Horton plays the bumbling Baron Popoff, who tries to arrange a marriage between Danilo and the rich widow in order to save the country's struggling finances.

The movie opens with the lavish and delightful production number "Women, Women," which introduces us to the playboy Danilo and his entourage of male friends who are all equally in love with the women of their country. Enter Crystal Radek, a wealthy widow who has just inherited a fortune and arrives in Marshovia with the intention of doing some shopping.

Danilo, instantly smitten with the beautiful and wealthy outsider, tries to win her heart with his charm and wit, but Crystal is not so easily swayed. She is suspicious of his motives and rebuffs his advances. Meanwhile, Baron Popoff sees an opportunity to solve the country's financial woes through marriage and tries to convince Danilo to pursue the widow more seriously.

The film features several memorable musical numbers, including "Maxim's," a lavish dance sequence set in a Parisian nightclub, and "Girls, Girls, Girls," a playful tune performed by Chevalier and Horton in which they sing the praises of women.

The interplay between Chevalier and MacDonald is a highlight of the film. He is the suave, charming playboy trying to win her affections, while she is the rich and independent widow who refuses to be taken in by his charms. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and they bring a delightful energy to the screen.

Edward Everett Horton, as Baron Popoff, adds another layer of comedy to the film. He is the well-meaning but incompetent bureaucrat who can't seem to get anything right. His attempts to orchestrate the marriage between Danilo and Crystal are always foiled in some humorous way.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its production design. The sets, costumes, and choreography are all top-notch, creating a sense of opulence and grandeur that is fitting for a musical of this era. The film was also shot in early three-strip Technicolor, which enhances the vibrancy of the visuals.

Overall, The Merry Widow is a charming and entertaining musical comedy that showcases the talents of its lead actors and the skill of its director. The film has stood the test of time and remains a beloved classic of the genre.

The Merry Widow is a 1934 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.