A Breath of Scandal

Plot

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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Review

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. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

• Sophia Loren - Princess Olympia
• Maurice Chevalier - Prince Philip
• John Gavin - Charlie Foster
• Angela Lansbury - Countess Lina
• Milly Vitale - Can-Can Dancer

Roberto Risso - Aide; Isabel Jeans - Princess Eugenie; Tullio Carminatti - Albert; Carlo Hintermann - Prince Ruprecht; Adrienne Gessner - Amelia; Friedrich Ledebur - Count Sandor; Frederick Von Ledenburg - Count Sandor; Waveney Lee; Walter Varndal

Credit

Hal Pereira - Art Director, Gene Allen - Art Director, Ella Bei - Costume Designer, Knize - Costume Designer, Michael Curtiz - Director, Howard A. Smith - Editor, Alessandro Cicognini - Composer (Music Score), Mario Montuori - Cinematographer, Marcello Girosi - Producer, Carlo Ponti - Producer, Walter Bernstein - Screenwriter, Sidney Howard - Screenwriter, Ferenc Molnar - Play Author

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