Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

HotToastyRag Annabella is engaged to Paul Lukas, but when her fiancé's car crashes into David Niven's car, it's love at first sight! But Dinner at the Ritz isn't a love triangle; it's a mystery. . . Shortly after the arrival of the "other man", Annabella's father is murdered during a house party. The police have ruled it a suicide, but the devoted daughter knows better, and with a bit of help, she sets out to find her father's killer.The plot of Dinner at the Ritz was very entertaining. The biggest problem was the casting. Most of the actors, save David Niven and Paul Lukas, never grew up to be very famous, and there were two or three men who looked so similar I kept getting them confused. And when one of them was very clearly a good guy, and the other just as clearly a bad guy, I would have preferred one of the pseudo-twins to have dyed his hair or grown a mustache! The two leads were very cute, though. Annabella was charming, The Niv was dashing, and they both were very convincing in their pursuit of their young love. All in all, it's a cute movie, and if you like oldies, you could do a lot worse than Dinner at the Ritz.

JohnHowardReid Annabella (Ranie Racine), David Niven (Paul de Brack), Paul Lukas (Philip de Beaufort), Romney Brent (Jimmy Raine), Francis L. Sullivan (Brogard), Stewart Rome (Racine), Frederick Leister (Tarade), William Dewhurst (Devine), Tyrrell Davis (Duval), Vivienne Chatterton (Marthe), Ronald Shiner (Sydney), Nora Swinburne (Lady Railton), Raymond Huntley (Gibout), Ralph Truman (auctioneer), Billy Shine (waiter), O. B. Clarence (messenger), Frederick Culley, Patricia Medina.Director: HAROLD D. SCHUSTER. Screenplay: Roland Pertwee, Romney Brent. Scenario and dialogue: Roland Pertwee. Photography: Philip Tannura. Supervising film editor: James B. Clark. Art director: Frank Wells. Costumes: René Hubert. Camera operator: Wilkie Cooper. Special effects: Ned Mann. Music and songs: Lee Sims. Music director: Muir Mathieson. Production manager: Leslie F. Baker. Assistant director: Frederick James. Sound recording: A. W. Watkins, J. C. Cook. Western Electric Sound System. Producer: Robert T. Kane. Copyright 26 November 1937 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 3 December 1937. U.S. release: 26 November 1937. Australian release: 2 June 1938. 8 reels. 77 minutes. SYNOPSIS: In the middle of a party at his house Racine, a Parisian banker, is shot dead. He had been concerned about a conspiracy that could ruin his bank. He had revealed that he had posted a letter containing the names of six men, known only to himself, whom he thinks may be the guilty ones. The letter never arrives.COMMENT: Annabella is the star. The camera focuses on her. She even does two atrocious impersonations: a Spanish countess and an Indian princess. Niven and Lukas are much as usual. It is left to Francis L. Sullivan and Tyrrell Davis (particularly the former) to really steal the acting limelight. Ronald Shiner has a small part as a sneak- thief porter.Production values are okay, though there is evidence of skimping. Direction remains steadfastly dull throughout, a surfeit of dialogue over-weighs the script, predictability and incredulity dog the plot. The climax, alas, is disappointingly short on action, the villain being disposed of by a single shot. (Incidentally, there is no mystery as to his identity. We, the audience, know who he is all the time). In short, a naive script designed primarily to show off the beauty and talents of the lovely Annabella. And why not?

agamemnon3 The plot reveals itself early, there isn't any suspense to speak of and most of the jokes are weak. However! There are some bright spots:If you remain interested after the first 45 minutes, you will find more jokes to be entertained by, although some of these moments are merely incidental. Shooting on-location in Europe provides a welcome change of pace. The dialog, which is smoothly and stylishly delivered by a "classic" cast of capable actors, adds to the film's overall camp value. The cast provides some worthwhile moments, but you must be patient. I also enjoyed the costumes but if I am going to watch a movie from this era solely for costumes and dialog, this wouldn't be my first pick. If you like film from this era (I do) and already are familiar with the cast (I am), then I might recommend it. If you are not familiar with the period and the actors, I recommend finding something else to watch. The film isn't immensely popular so if you've come this far then you probably know what you're getting into.

clark-9 Entertaining mystery for 30s film fans with decent dialogue and a plot that moves along smartly. Although predictable, the plot elements seem logical. David Niven is his usual charming self, and handles his confused love interest with a believable flair. One `groaner' moment near the end when the bad guy doesn't do you-know-what.