The New Moon (film)
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The New Moon is the name of film versions of the operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and others. The stage version premiered on Broadway in 1928.
Both film versions were produced by MGM. The 1930 film starred Grace Moore and Lawrence Tibbett and was a rework of the plot set in Russia. The 1940 film directed by Jack Conway starred Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy and also reworked the plot, though it was slightly more faithful than the 1930 version. However, the music was not always presented faithfully. The 1930 version added new songs not by Romberg, and the 1940 version turns the melancholy tango number "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise", originally sung by the hero's best friend, into a cheerful liitle ditty sung by Eddy while he shines his shoes!
Contents |
[edit] Cast
- Marianne Beaunoir -
- Monsieur Beaunoir, her father -
- Julie, her maid -
- Captain Georges Duval -
- Robert Misson -
- Alexander -
- Philippe -
- Clotilde Lombaste -
- Besac, boatswain of the 'New Moon' -
- Jacques, ship's carpenter -
- Vicomte Ribaud -
- Emile, Brunet, Fouchet, Admiral de Jean, etc.
[edit] Synopsis
Robert is a young French aristocrat whose revolutionist inclinations force him to flee his country. He sells himself as a bond-servant to planter and ship owner Monsieur Beaunoir and his family in New Orleans in 1792 under an assumed name. As the police of Paris are looking everywhere for him, Robert cannot tell Beaunoir or his beautiful daughter Marianne, with whom he has fallen in love, that he is of noble blood. Eventually he is tracked down by Vicomte Ribaud, the detective villain, and put aboard The New Moon so that he can be deported back to France. Robert thinks he has been betrayed by Marianne, who has gained her father's consent to travel on the same ship, pretending she is in love with Captain Duval. There is a mutiny, and Robert and the bond-servants come into power. Everyone goes ashore on the Isle of Pines and a new republic is founded which flourishes under Robert's guidance. But Marianne, her pride hurt, at first refuses to marry Robert. Vicomte Ribaud makes a final attempt to conquer the island for the King of France. He is surprised to hear from the French Commander that there has been a revolution in France, and that all aristocrats like himself must die unless they renounce their titles. While Ribaud, a Royalist, goes to execution, republican Robert renounces his title and all ends happily for him and Marianne.
[edit] Songs
- Act I
- Dainty Wisp of a Thistledown (Ensemble)
- Marianne (Robert)
- The Girl on The Prow (Marianne, Besac and Ensemble)
- Gorgeous Alexander (Julie, Alexander and Girls)
- An Interrupted Love Song (Captain Paul Duval, Marianne and Robert)
- Tavern Song (Flower Girl, a Dancer and Ensemble)
- Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise (Philippe and Ensemble)
- Stout-hearted Men (Robert, Philippe and Men)
- Fair Rosita (Girls and The Dancers)
- One Kiss (Marianne and Girls)
- Ladies of the Jury (Alexander, Julie, Clotilde Lombaste and Girls)
- Wanting You (Marianne and Robert)
- Act II
- A Chanty (Besac and Men)
- Funny Little Sailor Man (Clotilde Lombaste, Besac and Ensemble)
- Lover, Come Back to Me (Marianne)
- Love Is Quite a Simple Thing (Robert, Besac, Alexander and Julie)
- Try Her Out at Dancing (Alexander, Julie and Girls)
- Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise (Phillippe and Men)
- Never (for You) (Marianne)
- Lover, Come Back to Me (Reprise) (Robert and Men)
[edit] External links
- New Moon (1940 film) at Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy: A Tribute
- IMDB listing for the 1930 film
