The story of a courtesan turned circus performer, Max Ophüls' Lola Montès (1955) — the most expensive (part-)French production to date — was a resounding commercial flop. The film was taken away from Ophüls and drastically recut by the producers. That only made matters worse.
A restored — apparently complete — version has recently been screened at several film festivals.
Based on Cécil Saint-Laurent's novel, and adapted by Ophüls, Annette Wademant, and Jacques Natanson, Lola Montès stars Martine Carol in the title role. Also in the cast, Anton Walbrook, Peter Ustinov, Ivan Desny, Henri Guisol, and Oskar Werner.
My favorite Max Ophuls film is the wonderful "Letter from an Unknown Woman" with Joan Fontaine and Louis Jourdan. That must be one of the most romantic movies ever made.
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Martine Carol was excellente in Les Belles de nuit.
I loved Martine Carol. Too bad she died so young.
My favorite Max Ophuls film is the wonderful "Letter from an Unknown Woman" with Joan Fontaine and Louis Jourdan. That must be one of the most romantic movies ever made.