LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON [1957 / 2021] [Warner Archive Collection] [Blu-ray] [USA Release] ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ is a Billy Wilder Sparkling Witty Romantic Comedy!
She plays the cello. He plays the field. She’s coltishly young. He’s worldly and mature Love-struck conservatory student Ariane Chavasse knows she’s not like millionaire American playboy Frank Flanagan. But if she pretends to be just as much a cosmopolitan lover as he is, maybe the magic of I‘amour will take hold.
May-December romance is in bloom when Billy Wilder directs and Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper meet for ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON.’ Laughs, Parisian settings, champagne elegance – Billy Wilder, in his first collaboration with long-time cowriter I.A.L. Diamond, delivers them all in a soufflé-light homage to his filmmaking idol Ernst Lubitsch, punctuating it by casting Ernst Lubitsch alumnus Maurice Chevalier, the cinema‘s ambassador of Gallic charm, who smoothly plays Ariane Chavasse’s detective father. Maurice Chevalier [Narrator] (uncredited).
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1958 Directors Guild of America: Nominated: DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Billy Wilder. 1958 Golden Globes: Nominated: Best Motion Picture in a Comedy or Musical. Nominated: Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical forAudrey Hepburn. Nominated: Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for Maurice Chevalier. 1958 Laurel Awards: Win: Golden Laurel Award for Top Comedy. Win: Golden Laurel Award for Top Female Comedy Performance for Audrey Hepburn. 1958 Writers Guild of America: Win: WGA Award (Screen) for Best Written American Comedy for Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond.
FILM FACT No.2: ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ was the first of twelve screenplays by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, who met when Billy Wilder contacted I.A.L. Diamond after reading an article he had written for the Screen Writers Guild monthly magazine. The two men immediately hit it off, and Billy Wilder suggested they collaborate on a project based on a German language film he had co-written in the early 1930s. The script was based on the 1920 Claude Anet novel “Ariane, jeune fille russe” (“Ariane, Young Russian Girl”), which had been filmed as ‘Scampolo’ [1928] and ‘Scampolo, a Child of the Street’ [1932], the latter with a script co-written by Billy Wilder who was inspired by a 1931 German adaptation of the novel, “Ariane,” directed by Paul Czinner. Billy Wilder first choices for Frank Flannagan were Cary Grant and Yul Brynner. "It was a disappointment to me that Cary Grant never said yes to any picture I offered him," Billy Wilder later recalled. "He didn't explain why. He had very strong ideas about what parts he wanted." The director decided to cast Gary Cooper because they shared similar tastes and interests and Billy Wilder knew the actor would be good company during location filming in Paris. "They talked about food and wine and clothes and art," according to co-star Audrey Hepburn, Billy Wilder's only choice for Ariane Chavasse. Talent agent Paul Kohner suggested Maurice Chevalier for the role of Claude Chavasse, and when asked if he was interested, the actor replied, "I would give the secret recipe for my grandmother's bouillabaisse to be in a Billy Wilder picture." ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ marked Maurice Chevalier's first non-singing role in a film since 1947. The film was also the American feature film debut of character actor John McGiver. It was Billy Wilder's insistence to shoot the film on location in Paris. Outdoor locations included the Château of Vitry in the Yvelines; the Palais Garnier, home of the Paris Opera; and the Hôtel Ritz Paris. Interior scenes were filmed at the Studios de Boulogne. For the American release of the film, Maurice Chevalier recorded an end-of-film narration letting audiences know Ariane and Frank Flannagan had married and was living in New York City. Although Billy Wilder objected to the addition, he was forced to include it to forestall complaints that the relationship between the two was immoral. “He could do more with a closed door than other directors could do with an open fly.” – Billy Wilder about Ernst Lubitsch.
Cast: Maurice Chevalier [Narrator] (uncredited), Gary Cooper, Audrey Hepburn, Maurice Chevalier, John McGiver, Van Doude, Lise Bourdin, Olga Valéry, The Gypsies [Themselves], Elga Andersen (uncredited), Claude Ariel (uncredited), Jack Ary (uncredited), Marc Aurian (uncredited), Vera Boccadoro (uncredited), Paul Bonifas (uncredited), Charles Bouillaud (uncredited), Françoise Brion (uncredited), Marcelle Broc (uncredited), Jeanne Charblay (uncredited), Odette Charblay (uncredited), Olivia Chevalier (uncredited), George Cicos (uncredited), Gilbert Constant (uncredited), Leila Croft (uncredited), Valerie Croft (uncredited), Janine Dard (uncredited), Guy Delorme (uncredited), Filo [Flannagan's Chauffeur] (uncredited), Richard Flagey (uncredited), Gloria France (uncredited), Marius Gaidon (uncredited), Victor Gazzoli (uncredited), Grégoire Gromoff (uncredited), Gyula Kokas (uncredited), Michael Kokas (uncredited), Anne Laurent (uncredited), Charles Lemontier (uncredited), Audrey Long (uncredited), Christian Lude (uncredited), Léo Marjane (uncredited), Eve Marley (uncredited), Moustache (uncredited), Bernard Musson (uncredited), Mylos (uncredited), Jean Ozenne (uncredited), Jeanne Papir (uncredited), Georges Perrault (uncredited), Minerva Pious (uncredited), Marcelle Praince (uncredited), Jacques Préboist (uncredited), Jean Rieubon (uncredited), Annie Roudier (uncredited), Monique Saintey (uncredited), Betty Schneider (uncredited), Michelle Selignac (uncredited), Solon Smith (uncredited), Sylvain (uncredited), Alexandre Trauner (uncredited), Simone Vanlacker (uncredited), Franz Waxman [Minor Role] (uncredited) and Audrey Young (uncredited)
Director: Billy Wilder
Producers: Billy Wilder, Doane Harrison, Lee Katz (uncredited) and William Schorr
Screenplay: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond and Claude Anet (novel)
Composers: Charles Trenet F. D. Marchetti, Franz Waxman, Henri Betti, Maurice de Feraudy and Matty Malneck
Costumes: Jay A. Morley Jr. (uncredited)
Cinematography: William C. Mellor, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black and White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 129 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Allied Artists Pictures Corporation / Warner Archive Collection
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: With the film ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ [1957] the first things you’ll notice when watching the film is the dramatic age difference between Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn. Gary Cooper was 55 years old at the time and there were some people who had a problem with his casting. Audrey Hepburn plays a beautiful and much younger girl named Ariane Chavasse and lives in Paris with her father Claude Chavasse, who is brilliantly played by Maurice Chevalier, who works out of their home as a private investigator. Watching Audrey Hepburn and Maurice Chevalier is pure joy. They have an adorable father/daughter chemistry which shows itself in her playful curiosity about his work and his father-like encouragement of her cello playing.
One day Ariane Chavasse eavesdrops as her father reveals to a client that his wife is having a fling with a wealthy American named Frank Flannagan [Gary Cooper]. Ariane Chavasse hears the trysts are taking place in Frank Flannagan’s hotel room and that the husband plans to kill him. The curious and adventurous Ariane decides to go warn Frank Flannagan of his upcoming demise. In doing so Ariane Chavasse finds herself smitten by the millionaire playboy’s charm. Her innocence and inexperience with love creates new feelings within her. On the other hand Ariane Chavasse is initially just another victim of Frank Flannagan’s globetrotting womanizing. But she leaves him in the dark about many things including her name and her far-fetched tales of her many boyfriends intrigue’s him. But is that enough to cure him of his playboy ways?
Billy Wilder does a great job of getting us to love Audrey Hepburn and her character and instantly comes off as pure and sweet and her childlike curiosity is adorable. That’s one reason we dislike Gary Cooper and his Frank Flannagan character. We see that she is enamoured with him but he sees her as just another toy. We genuinely worry for her as this unusual story plays out. But Billy Wilder also shows that she’s not just a child with a bout of puppy love. Ariane Chavasse’s very clever and, as Frank Flannagan finds out, she can be abstruse. All of this is key to developing what is a well-conceived love story.
This was the first of many screenplay collaborations between Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond. As you would expect from anything that Billy Wilder has a hand in writing, the dialogue is slick and smart and his two lead actors handle it nicely. Audrey Hepburn was Billy Wilder’s one and only choice to play Ariane but he wanted Cary Grant to play Frank Flannagan. Cary Grant turned down the role, as he did with several other Billy Wilder offerings, which opened the door for Gary Cooper. I admit, Gary Cooper was an unusual choice and at first I wondered if he was going to fit. But as things move along, I think he captures what the role calls for.
The film also features some good bits of humour. The dialogue itself can be quite funny and there are several running gags that become pretty outrageous. There’s a hilarious reoccurring bit with gypsy musicians who Frank Flannagan pays to play for him whenever he has a woman over. But we later see them popping up in some of the most absurd locations. It’s very funny. I also have to again mention the fun moments between Audrey Hepburn and Maurice Chevalier. Also Audrey Hepburn is her usual peppy and sprightly self. But Maurice Chevalier is a real scene stealer and for me some of the best moments featured him on screen.
What I also like about this film is that the tragic and comic parts are both well-balanced. You have both chances to cry and laugh when you watch ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON.’ In other words, it’s certainly not a bore. The screenplay for ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ was written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L Diamond and based on the novel “Ariane” by Paul Czinner. The Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond writing duo was certainly one of the best. They also worked together for the following films: ‘Some Like it Hot,’ ‘The Apartment,’ ‘One, Two, Three,’ ‘Irma La Douce,’ ‘Kiss Me, Stupid,’ ‘The Fortune Cookie,’ ‘The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes,’ ‘Avanti!,’ ‘The Front Page,’ ‘Fedora’ and ‘Buddy Buddy.’ ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ was their first collaboration together. I think it was a success because, as you can see, they worked 11 other times together.
With Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn together, folks, that’s all I needed to hear to be interested in the 1957 film ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON.’ And as if I needed any more prodding, this romantic comedy was directed, produced, and co-written by the great Billy Wilder. And then to add even more personal intrigue, “‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ is set in the magical city of Paris. So you have an unlikely love story filled with good humour, some really strong central performances and especially set in the City of Lights.
Fortunately, the script is very solid, Billy Wilder’s expert direction, and admirable performances by Audrey Hepburn and Maurice Chevalier are enough to make one’s viewing experience a pleasurable one. ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ is a film I’m glad I finally caught up with. This is another energetic and intelligent Wilder film that hits the romance and humour it shoots for. ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ may not be up there with the great romantic comedies of its time, but it’s still a solid film featuring a wonderful cast, beautiful Paris locations, and a smart director who has no problem putting all of his pieces together.
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON USIC TRACK LIST
FASCINATION (Music by Fermo Dante Marchetti and Maurice de Féraudy) [Performed by The Gypsies]
C’EST SI BON (Music by Henri Betti) (Lyrics by André Hornez) [Hummed by Gary Cooper] [Performed by The Gypsies]
L’ÁME DES POÈTES (Music by Charles Trenet) [Performed by The Gypsies]
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON (Music by Matty Malneck)
ARIENE (Music by Matty Malneck)
HOT PAPRIKA (Music by Matty Malneck)
Prelude (uncredited) from “Tristan und Isolde” (Music by Richard Wagner)
* * * * *
Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Archive Collection presents the film ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ that finally makes its long-awaited Blu-ray debut with a brand new 1080p image. The William C. Mellor’s gorgeous black-and-white cinematography is treated with love and respect in Warner Archive Collection’s wonderful 2K transfer scanned from the original camera negative. Their efforts to clean up the imperfections in the scan were handled with care as the image showcases a very natural grain pattern. The transfer’s high bitrate allows for above average depth and clarity for a film of this age, even if the image is a shade softer than one might expect. It should be made clear that the picture’s softness is a direct result of William C. Mellor’s romantic cinematography and does not reflect any weakness in the transfer. Blacks are deep without giving way to noticeable crush and the various shades of grey are equally well rendered.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Archive Collection brings us the film ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ with a standard 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio experience, despite it was originally shown with an original mono audio track, but has now been carried over to the digital upgrade and cleaned any glaring imperfections that might have distracted viewers. The result is an audio track that accurately replicates what audiences would have heard in 1957. Anyone expecting anything more than this is both unreasonable and slightly ridiculous. The music sounds warm and full, and all the conversations are easy to comprehend. The most notable sonic accent is an annoying yapping dog, and the track nicely exploits the jarring noise. Ambient effects are few, but distinct enough, distortion is absent, and no age-related hiss, pops, or crackles intrude. Though far from showy, this is a solid track that hits all the right audio notes.
* * * * *
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Theatrical Trailer [1957] [1080i] [1.78:1] [3:00] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON.’ Louis Jourdan narrates this cute and entertaining presentation of the trailer and it is nice to see it included on this Blu-ray disc.
Finally, Billy Wilder’s ‘LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON’ is a very fine, sophisticated romantic comedy. It has wonderful improbabilities and charming humour. The acting is superb. After watching this film, I had one simple question: “How could film critics from the 1950’s not appreciate such a wonderful and touching story of two people attracted to each other in a very romantic and funny film, even though there was such a big age difference? After all, love is the only feeling that is real in any time line and even if that time line is The Golden Age of Hollywood, and it is still worth a look for all classic film fans of this genre. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
