Breath of Scandal

Director: Michael Curtiz Michael Curtiz

Overview

Based on the Ferenc Molnar play Olympia, A Breath of Scandal serves as an elegant vehicle for a ravishing Sophia Loren. The star plays Princess Olympia, who despite her station in life cannot resist the urge to satisfy her sexual appetites. Exiled to the countryside, Olympia falls in love with American millionaire Charlie Foster (John Gavin). Meanwhile, a marriage of state is arranged between the princess and Prince Ruprecht of Prussia (Carlo Hintermann). Jealous rival Countess Lina (Angela Lansbury) endangers this union by threatening to tell all about Olympia and Foster. A cute, continental plot twist brings this harmless confection to a close. Maurice Chevalier dispenses his usual all-knowing glances and sly smiles as Olympia's understanding father. A Breath of Scandal was directed by Michael Curtiz, who uncharacteristically allows the pace to lag at crucial junctures. Scriptwriter Sidney Howard was credited with the script posthumously, some 21 years after his death.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/03/2020
UPC:	0032429337863
Original Release:	1960
Rating:	NR
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	41,909

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Sophia Loren	Princess Olympia
John Gavin	Charlie Foster
Maurice Chevalier	Prince Philip
Angela Lansbury	Countess Lina
Isabel Jeans	Princess Eugenie
Roberto Risso	Aide
Frederick Ledebur	Count Sandor
Carlo Hintermann	Prince Ruprecht
Tullio Carminati	Albert
Adrienne Gessner	Amelia
Milly Vitale	Can-Can Girl
Tullio Carminatti	Albert
Frederick Von Ledenburg	Count Sandor
Waveney Lee	Actor
Walter Varndal	Actor
Alessandro Cicognini	Composer

Technical Credits

Sidney Howard

Walter Bernstein

Michael Curtiz	Director
Marcello Girosi	Producer
Carlo Ponti	Producer
Sidney Howard	Screenwriter
Walter Bernstein	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

A Breath of Scandal is a curiously sodden affair. That's always lamentable, but especially so when discussing the kind of entertainment that is intended to be fluffy and lighter than air. This kind of whimsical, delicate material has to be treated with exactly the perfect touch; otherwise, the whole enterprise sinks, and that's the case here. Is the fault with Michael Curtiz, whose direction is very far from his considerable best here? Certainly Curtiz seems surprisingly at sea here. The dynamics of scenes are curiously skewed, the all-important atmosphere is scattershot, the airiness that is so crucial is instead leaden. But the casting is also to blame. Sophia Loren is heavenly to look at. Her beauty is radiant and she is clothed in outfits that accentuate every minute asset that she has to offer. But she doesn't seem to understand the character she plays and offers an unfortunately dull interpretation. Even worse is John Gavin, handsome as can be but wooden from top to bottom. Maurice Chevalier and Isabel Jeans try hard, and they do have some very good moments, but those moments are isolated instances. Only Angela Lansbury really delivers the necessary goods from start to finish. The film does look impressive, with sumptuous costumes and gorgeous cinematography that captures some stunning settings. But it's not enough.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler