porongoche This is one of those 1950's romantic comedies that, judged by 21st Century standards, just doesn't work. Not that it doesn't have its charms. Watching this film is akin to drinking cheap champagne. As Tommy Noonan finds out, it doesn't taste very good going down, but all champagne will make you happily dizzy if you drink enough of it. Every now and then you hear a clever line delivered in a clever manner. Every now and then you see an actor sparkle. And every now and then you get to see Paris. Ahh, Paris. Has there ever been a movie that made you look ugly?The major problem is the miscasting of the two leads. Olivia de Havilland and John Forsythe were both around forty when they made this. So many young actors of that era would have been perfect for these roles and just might have saved this work. Tommy Noonan, also a bit too old, is a funny guy and he has a few good bits in the movie, but he's a certain type of funny. Even allowing for the fact that he's an outsider, his method of comic acting clashes with the general level of sophisticated wit that, one assumes, was intended. But at least he can do funny. John Forsythe, whose dry approach was perfect for "The Trouble With Harry" failed miserably in the humor department in this movie. Of the rest, Myrna Loy stands out. She always seems to twinkle no matter what film she's in.There are lack of logic elements that make one unexpectedly chuckle for the wrong reason. The musicians boarding the elevator to go up the Eiffel Tower and the choir boys descending on that same elevator. The whole concept of Forsythe really believing that de Havilland is a Dior model. And then there's the fiancé! Good Lord! Why was he even in the movie? I laughed out loud when I saw him sitting in the first pew during the Wedding scene. As if. One scene in the movie brightened my day. It brought back an old, old memory. The M.C. at the nightclub was singing a French song that I heard Maurice Chevalier sing in an I Love Lucy episode. And then Ricky sang it in Spanish followed by Little Ricky singing it in English. I believe the song is called Valentine. Charming little tune. I only wish I could say "The Ambassador's Daughter" was a charming little movie.

richard-1787 This movie was released in 1956, right in the middle of Hollywood's decade-long fascination with Paris. It was a fascination ignited by the critical and financial success of An American in Paris (MGM 1951), and then stoked by such films as April in Paris ( Warner Bros. 1952), Moulin Rouge (20th Century Fox 1952), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (20th Century Fox 1954), The Last Time I Saw Paris (MGM 1954), Sabrina (Paramount 1954), Funny Face (Paramount 1957), The Sun Also Rises (20th Century Fox 1957), Love in the Afternoon (United Artists 1957), Gigi (MGM 1958), Paris Holiday (Tolda 1958), Can Can (20th Century Fox 1960), Paris Blues (Pennebaker 1961), Charade (Universal 1963), Irma la douce (MGM 1963), A New Kind of Love (Paramount 1963), Paris When it Sizzles (1964). Unfortunately, this movie adds nothing to that generally very distinguished and successful list. (Paris Holiday is a bomb, yes.)Others have recounted the plot, so I won't repeat that. Since this movie is about a group of non-Parisians living in Paris, it never really engages with its setting. It could just as soon have taken place in Vienna, or Rome, or ...Little thought seems to have been put into the production. The plot is worked out at the end, which takes place in the iconographic Garnier Opera House during a performance of Swan Lake. With a wealth of operas and ballets from which to choose, Krasna picked the Tchaikovsky warhorse for no apparent reason, because he makes no effort to tie what is going on on stage to what is going on in the boxes and corridors (the plot, such as it is). There's nothing really wrong with this movie, it's just that it's not very interesting. A cast this good should have been given a far better script.

Maciste_Brother THE AMBASSADOR'S DAUGHTER is a generally well made film with a great cast. The story and direction though are uninspired and workman-like and robs the story of any vitality. In more capable hands, this film would have been a charmer but the producers were clearly aiming for average. It just doesn't sparkle as it should be and because the pacing or tone, which should have been lightning fast and sharp for this kind of story, is lackadaisical, this big studio production feels and looks exactly like an episode of THREE'S COMPANY. One that takes place in Paris.The great thing about this movie is Myrna Loy. Whenever she's on screen the movie comes alive. Loy, who starred in the great THIN MAN movies, has a knack for delivering light and funny dialogue and her timing here is perfect. She easily eclipses the whole cast, which includes Olivia De Havilland, John Forsythe, Adolphe Menjou, Tommy Noonan! Thank god Myrna was in this film or else it would have been totally forgettable. Well, the location shooting was also great.All in all, I enjoyed watching THE AMBASSADOR'S DAUGHTER for what it was but it could have been much better, a classic in fact. Now it's just average.

trumphodge What were they thinking? This movie's script is terrible (cliche after cliche), and it's doubtful that even appropriate actors could have rescued it. Olivia de Havilland looks about 50 here (Myrna Loy is supposed to be decades older, but they look like contemporaries), rather than the ingenue the role calls for. Compare this to Roman Holiday, made about the same time--a wonderful script, marvelously appropriate actors, and enchanting use of its location. This movie represents the worst of 50's film-making--a huge waste of talent.