"French Without Tears" is a very funny British comedy and satire set in Paris in the mid-1930s. Released in early 1940, it has nothing about WW II that began officially in Oct. 1939. Another reviewer gave some interesting background about when the movie theaters were reopened after being closed at the start of the war. The film is based on a 1936 play by Terence Rattigan that was a big hit in London and then in the U. S. Rex Harrison starred in the play. All the actors in the film are very good.
The story is about young men enrolled and living in Professor Maingot's French language school for English gentlemen. They are businessmen, scholars and others who are there to learn French in a cram course. But studying at Maingot's Villa Miramar soon takes a back seat when student Kenneth Lake's sister, Diana, comes to visit.
Ellen Drew plays the flirtatious Diana superbly. She immediately wraps two of the young men around her finger. David Tree plays the puppy-dog smitten Chris Neilan, much to the dismay of Jacqueline Maingot. She is the professor's daughter who is in love with Chris. The other is Brian Curtis, played by Guy Middleton, who's more of a ladies man than a businessman.
The new student arrival, British Navy Commander Bill Rogers, soon falls under Diana's spell. Roland Culver plays the snobby, stuffed shirt seaman perfectly. And, Diana has little trouble also wrapping him around her finger. When the alluring Diana asks if the ship picture on the wall was of his "boat," Rogers swallows hard, smiles and acknowledges that it is a picture of his "boat."
Only one of the adult male students isn't taken in by the wily and sly - but admittedly very attractive and alluring Diana. Ray Milland plays Alan Howard delightfully. Perhaps his reluctance and guard were raised because he had to give up his private room for the new guest. His bed is now a cot in Brian's room.
The plot has several scenarios with Diana and her different men. Chris and Bill nearly come to blows over the blonde temptress. Amidst all this, Alan gets barbs in right and left for good laughs. While one might imagine what the outcome of this love pentagon might be, the ending is a real hoot.
This may be the best picture of an obvious flirt ever put on film. But it's done sans any immoral behavior in line with the mores of the day. And it has the trappings of wonderful satire and some very funny comedy overall.
The film has something of an historical musical note. It's the only feature film in which famous composer and orchestra leader Mantovani appears. He is in the carnival scene toward the end where he plays his violin and leads his orchestra. Mantovani provided all the music for the film, which included a very apropos and funny, short violin music background each time that Diana enters the picture. After this happens two or three times, it becomes quite noticeable as an intended little extra bit of humor.
Prior to World War II, Mantovani's orchestra was the most popular musical entertainment in England. His trademark style with cascading strings was especially effective with romantic songs. By the late 20th century, The Beatles would become Great Britain's famous musical group. But before the 1960s, Mantovani was the first musical performer in the U. K. to sell more than one million stereo albums. And, in 1959, his was the first to have six albums in the U. S. Top 30 at the same time.
This is a wonderful, very funny movie with lots of light satire. While there's nothing that would make it unsuitable for all ages, it will be most appreciated by mature audiences, especially those who enjoy cloaked comedy and clever lines.
The film is loaded with humorous dialog. Here are some favorite lines. For more, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the film.
Prof. Maingot, "Monsieur Howard, please answer the phone. I am busy with a poor young idiot."
Diana Lake, "But aren't you going to protect me?" Alan Howard, "Protect you? Protect Brian, you mean."
Cmdr. Bill Rogers, "Oh, is she learning French too?" Alan, "Uh, no. She just stopped us from doing it."
Commander, "Uh, what you're implying is that this girl is, uh, rather fast?" Alan, "Well, I'm not implying it, I'm saying it."
Commander, "How do you do." Diana, "Oh, I had no idea you were arriving this morning." Alan, "Hadn't you? You asked me what train he was coming by."
Alan, "She loves getting innocent young men into cold water." Commander, "Well, personally, I rather like an early morning dip." Alan, "An early morning dip?"
Alan, "I bet you didn't go in the water."... Diana, "Yes, I did. Ask Chris."
Alan, "Uh, Chris, did Diana go into the water? Chris, "No, why?" Diana, "Why, Chris." Alan, "Chris! You of all people - an early morning dipper."
Alan, to Chris, "Why, I believe this girl could make you go for a bicycle tour in the Pyrenees, if she set her mind to it." Commander, "I once went for a bicycle tour in the Pyrenees." Alan, "Really?"
Diana, "What did you mean by hanky-panky?" Alan, "I should tell you?"
Diana, "Allen, much as I like you, there are times when I could cheerfully strangle you." Allan, "Is this one of them, darling?" Diana, "Yes, Ducky, it is." Allan, "That's just what I'd hoped."
Diana, "Well, he's really very nice, but you mustn't take everything he says too seriously, because you see, he's just a teeny bit, you know, unbalanced," pointing to her head.
Diana, "But if he tries to give you the impression that I'm a scheming wrecker of men's lives, you needn't necessarily believe him."
Diana, "But cruelty is something that's physically impossible for me."
