One Hour With You (1932)

 ☆ ☆ ☆

One Hour With You (1932) – E. Lubitsch/G. Cukor

The innuendo is barely innuendo here in this pre-code musical starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeannette MacDonald. That’s probably not surprising, given that Ernst Lubitsch is in the director’s chair (although perhaps his famed touch is more subtle later on, once the Hays Code was in place).  Yes, Chevalier and MacDonald sing, although not straight through the film (although the spoken dialogue often comes out in rhyming couplets nevertheless).  They’re married and he’s a doctor who is tempted by his wife’s best friend (Genevieve Tobin) – he plays the innocent, declaring to the camera (in that cheesy French accent) that he did not really have free will.  Of course, MacDonald also has a suitor (Charlie Ruggles) which allows things to end up just so.  They really do love each other after all.  I recall liking Mamoulian’s Love Me Tonight (same year, similar cast) a little more but this certainly isn’t out-of-place in any list of naughty musical comedies.