Cinefórum-Clásico

~ Hal Erickson: No boring historical pageant this, Warner Bros.' Madame DuBarry is a fast-paced, often hilarious romantic romp. Her Mexican accent held in check, the ravishingly beautiful Dolores Del Rio plays 18th-century French courtesan DuBarry like a 20th-century gold-digger on the make. Brought to Versailles as the companion of courtier D'Aigullon (Victor Jory), former street waif DuBarry charms her way into the heart -- and boudoir -- of gouty King Louis XV (Reginald Owen). Many of the famous incidents in her character's life are given showcase treatment: When DuBarry's enemies steal her gown, she appears at her presentation at Versailles in a flimsy nightgown; and when she wants to take a sleighride in the middle of summer, King Louis "nationalizes" all the sugar in Paris as a substitute for snow. Upon Louis' death, the petulant new Queen Marie Antoinette (Anita Louise) banishes DuBarry from court, which our heroine takes in her usual stride, insouciantly chanting the roundelay "The King of France" as she walks out of the palace, with her head held high (and still -- at this point anyway -- firmly planted on her shoulders).

Notes from TCM.com: The Albertina Rasch dancers were on loan from M-G-M. Although she had a major role in Warner Bros. earlier 1934 film, Wonder Bar, this was Del Rio's first starring role for the studio. According to Daily Variety, the film was placed on the Catholic Church's "condemned" list. Guards were posted on the set to watch over the collection of valuable antiques, silver, porcelain and objets d'art used on the set. Among the many films based on the life of Du Barry are: the 1915 George Kleine film, Du Barry, starring Mrs. Leslie Carter and directed by Edoardo Bencivenga; the 1917 Fox film, Du Barry, starring Theda Bara and directed by J. Gordon Edwards (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1911-20; F1.1114 and F1.1115); the 1919 German production, Madame Du Barry (titled Passion in the United States), starring Pola Negri and Emil Jannings and directed by Ernst Lubitsch; the 1930 United Artists release, Du Barry, Woman of Passion, starring Norma Talmadge and directed by Sam Taylor (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1921-30; F2.1464); and the 1954 French-Italian co-production, Madame Du Barry, starring Martine Carol and directed by Christian-Jacque.