Directed by:
Tay GarnettCinematography:
Rudolph MatéCast:
Marlene Dietrich, John Wayne, Albert Dekker, Broderick Crawford, Anna Lee, Mischa Auer, Billy Gilbert, Richard Carle, Samuel S. Hinds, Oskar Homolka (more)Plots(1)
Marlene Dietrich stars opposite John Wayne as sexy saloon singer Bijou Blanche, who's as quick with a comeback as she is with a come on. Deported from every South Seas island on which she has ever performed, Bijou winds up in Boni Komba at the Seven Sinners Café, convincing the manager that she will break only hearts, not bar stools. Bijou soon charms a handsome Navy officer, who falls deeply in love with the woman his superiors refer to as a naval "destroyer". When a spiteful admirer of Bijou's resorts to violence to keep the lovers apart, the glamorous chanteuse proves she will do anything - especially the unexpected - for the man she loves. (British Film Institute (BFI))
(more)Reviews (2)
As a soldier's daughter, Marlene never cried. With this film, she was able to capitalize on her first American comeback, joining forces with John Wayne with the wish "Daddy, buy me this." Of the trio of hits "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "I've Been In Love Before," and "The Man's in the Navy," only the middle one became immortal, even though all of them were excellent. I am most impressed by Marlene's costume as a sailor and her sharp tongue every time I see her. This is one girl I'd sail from port to port for.
()
A wonderfully balanced comedy-drama, where comedy definitely takes the lead, which is great because Marlene really shines here and the guys who hang on her every word are just ridiculous. And then comes a cool dude like John Wayne, and everyone else just seems like a bunch of dorks, but they're still trying to act tough.
()
Ads