The Rage of Paris
Nicole has no job and is several weeks behind with her rent. Her solution to her problems is to try and snare a rich husband. Enlisting the help of her friend Gloria and the maitre'd at a ritzy New York City hotel, the trio plot to have Gloria catch the eye of Bill Duncan, a millionaire staying at the hotel. The plan works and the two quickly become engaged. Nicole's plan may be thwarted by Bill's friend, Jim Trevor, who's met Nicole before and sees through her plot.
Critics Sentiment
Nicole begins undressing in Jim Trevor's office by mistake
Bill Duncan punches Jim Trevor at the family reception after disbelieving him
The film swings from its peak at the accidental undressing meet-cute (score 9.0, around minute 12) down to its lowest point during the muddled mid-film deception mechanics and the reception punch (score 4.5, around minute 52), a drop of 4.5 points driven by reviewers praising the opening's comic invention while criticizing the second half's repetitive and scattered plotting.
The Rage of Paris opens with a burst of screwball energy, with Darrieux's accidental striptease meet-cute earning near-universal praise as one of the finest comic setups of the era. The film sustains reasonable charm through its hotel-suite scheming and Broderick's dry wit, but sentiment dips noticeably in the second half as reviewers find the deception mechanics repetitive, the butler scene overlong, and the plotting increasingly scattered. The happy shipboard ending restores modest goodwill, leaving the film as a fondly remembered but uneven comedy carried almost entirely by Darrieux's irresistible presence.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 53
Danielle Darrieux
Nicole de Cortillion
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Jim Trevor
Louis Hayward
Bill Duncan
Helen Broderick
Gloria Patterson
Mischa Auer
Mike, Head Waiter
Charles Coleman
Rigley
Samuel S. Hinds
Mr. William Duncan Sr.
Nella Walker
Mrs. Duncan
Harry Davenport
Pop, Caretaker
Edward Gargan
Truck Driver (uncredited)
Jennifer Gray
Telephone Operator (uncredited)
Charles Lane
Department Head (uncredited)
Edwin Maxwell
Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Matt McHugh
Department Head (uncredited)
Jason Robards Sr.
Department Head (uncredited)
Beryl Wallace
Model (uncredited)
Edwin August
Receptionist (uncredited)
Edward Biby
Relative at Wedding (uncredited)
Wade Boteler
Mr. Wright (uncredited)
Sidney Bracey
Opera House Usher (uncredited)
Crew
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