Directed by Roy Del Ruth, “The Chocolate Soldier is a remake of Ferenc Molnar’s popular play “The Guardsmen,” which was adapted for the big screen by MGM in 1931, with Oscar-nominated performances by Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt.
The mildly amusing tale focuses on an opera star (Nelson Eddy), who tests the fidelity of his wife (Rise Stephens) by wooing her in disguise.
Bewarned: The film bears the title of the operetta based on the George Bernard Shaw play, “Arms and the Man.”
The film is too chatty (borderline verbose), but the music by Oscar Straus is good.
Oscar Nominations: 3
Cinematography (black-and-white): Karl Freund
Sound Recording: Douglas Shearer
Scoring of Musical: Herbert Stothart and Bronislav Kaper
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
The winner of the Cinematography Oscar was Arthur Miller for “How Green Was My Valley.”
Jack Whitney won the Sound Direction for “That Hamilton Woman,” and Frank Churchill and Oliver Wallace were honored for their score for “Dumbo.”
Credits:
MGM
Running time: 102 Minutes
Directed by Roy Del Ruth
Released: October 31, 1941
Cast
Nelson Eddy as Karl Lang
Rise Stevens as Maria Lanyl
Nigel Bruce as Bernard Fischer
Florence Bates as Mme. Helene
Dorothy Gilmore as Magda
Nydia Westman as Liesel the maid