Trouble in Paradise (1932)

“TROUBLE IN PARADISE IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED PRODUCER/DIRECTOR ERNST LUBITSCH’S GREATEST FILM” – FILMSITE

Made only three years after the introduction of the “talkies”, this sophisticated jewel-thief romantic comedy feels like it could have been made yesterday.

Set in Venice and Paris, it’s all evening dress, opera, jewelry, nightclubs, butlers, grand hotels and a suave, sexy triangle between two thieves and the perfume company executive they plan to rob.

Exquisitely directed by Lubitsch, there isn’t a false note in the entire film.

“[Lubitsch] could do more with a closed door than other directors could do with an open fly.”

• Billy Wilder

Introduced by Ivan Cerecina, Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Sydney.

BILLY WILDER ON THE LUBITSCH TOUCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jOVRKzwURY

To read Geoff Gardner's notes on the film, click here.

Rating

PG

Cast

Herbert Marshall, Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis

Director

Ernst Lubitsch