The Firefly (film)
Encyclopedia
The Firefly is a 1937 musical film starring Jeanette MacDonald
, Allan Jones. The film is an adaptation of the operetta of the same name
by composer Rudolf Friml
and librettist Otto A. Harbach that premiered on Broadway
in 1919. The film used nearly all of the music from the operetta but jettisoned the plot in favor of a new storyline set in Spain during the time of the Emperor Napoleon I. It added a new song, "The Donkey Serenade", which became popular, as was one of the Friml songs, "Giannina Mia", both of which were released on 78 r.p.m. gramophone records.
to win the Battle of Vitoria
. In the end Nina and Andre leave together for a new life in peace.
Jeanette MacDonald
Jeanette MacDonald was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy...
, Allan Jones. The film is an adaptation of the operetta of the same name
The Firefly (operetta)
The Firefly is the first operetta written by composer Rudolf Friml, with a libretto by Otto Harbach. The story concerns a young girl, who is a street singer. She disguises herself and serves as a cabin boy on a ship to Bermuda, where she falls in love...
by composer Rudolf Friml
Rudolf Friml
Rudolf Friml was a composer of operettas, musicals, songs and piano pieces, as well as a pianist. After musical training and a brief performing career in his native Prague, Friml moved to the United States, where he became a composer...
and librettist Otto A. Harbach that premiered on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1919. The film used nearly all of the music from the operetta but jettisoned the plot in favor of a new storyline set in Spain during the time of the Emperor Napoleon I. It added a new song, "The Donkey Serenade", which became popular, as was one of the Friml songs, "Giannina Mia", both of which were released on 78 r.p.m. gramophone records.
Plot summary
Secret agent Nina Maria Azara (Jeannette MacDonald) is working undercover for the King of Spain (Tom Rutherford) as a singer known as the "Mosca del Fuego" or "Firefly." Despite her love for Captain Andre, she tricks him so that his general will change the French defensive positions, thus allowing the Duke of WellingtonDuke of Wellington
The Dukedom of Wellington, derived from Wellington in Somerset, is a hereditary title in the senior rank of the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The first holder of the title was Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington , the noted Irish-born career British Army officer and statesman, and...
to win the Battle of Vitoria
Battle of Vitoria
At the Battle of Vitoria an allied British, Portuguese, and Spanish army under General the Marquess of Wellington broke the French army under Joseph Bonaparte and Marshal Jean-Baptiste Jourdan near Vitoria in Spain, leading to eventual victory in the Peninsular War.-Background:In July 1812, after...
. In the end Nina and Andre leave together for a new life in peace.
Cast
- Jeanette MacDonaldJeanette MacDonaldJeanette MacDonald was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy...
as Nina Maria Azara - Allan Jones as Don Diego / Captain Andre
- Warren WilliamWarren WilliamWarren William was a Broadway and Hollywood actor, popular during the early 1930s, who was later nicknamed the "king of Pre-Code". He was born Warren William Krech in Aitkin, Minnesota to parents Freeman E. and Frances Krech. He had a certain physical resemblance to John Barrymore. He attended the...
as Colonel de Rouchemont - Billy GilbertBilly GilbertBilly Gilbert was an American comedian and actor known for his comic sneeze routines. He appeared in over 200 feature films, short subjects and television shows starting in 1929. He is not to be confused with silent film actor Billy Gilbert Billy Gilbert (September 12, 1894 – September 23,...
as Inn Keeper - Douglass DumbrilleDouglass DumbrilleDouglass Dumbrille was a Canadian actor and one of the Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood.-Life and career:...
as Marquis de Melito (as Douglas Dumbrille) - Henry DaniellHenry DaniellHenry Daniell was an English actor, best known for his villainous movie roles, but who had a long and prestigious career on stage as well as in films....
as General Savary - Leonard PennLeonard PennLeonard Penn was an American film, television and theatre actor.-Early life and education:He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.-Career:...
as Etienne DuBois - Tom Rutherford as King Ferdinard (as Tom Rutherfurd)
- Belle MitchellBelle MitchellBelle Mitchell was an American film actress. She appeared in over 100 films between 1915 and 1982.She was born in Michigan and died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.-Selected filmography:...
as Lola - George ZuccoGeorge ZuccoGeorge Desylla Zucco was an English character actor who appeared, almost always in supporting roles, in 96 films during a career spanning two decades, from 1931 to 1951. He is fondly remembered for his roles in classic horror films.-Early life:Zucco was born in Manchester, England...
as St. Clair, Secret Service Chief - Corbet Morris as Duvall (as Corbett Morris)
- Matthew BoultonMatthew BoultonMatthew Boulton, FRS was an English manufacturer and business partner of Scottish engineer James Watt. In the final quarter of the 18th century the partnership installed hundreds of Boulton & Watt steam engines, which were a great advance on the state of the art, making possible the...
as Duke of Wellington
Musicals
- LOVE IS LIKE A FIREFLY
- Music by Rudolf FrimlRudolf FrimlRudolf Friml was a composer of operettas, musicals, songs and piano pieces, as well as a pianist. After musical training and a brief performing career in his native Prague, Friml moved to the United States, where he became a composer...
- Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach, Bob Wright and Chet Forrest
- Sung by Jeanette MacDonaldJeanette MacDonaldJeanette MacDonald was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy...
- Music by Rudolf Friml
- DANSE JEANETTE
- Written by Herbert StothartHerbert StothartHerbert Stothart was a song writer, arranger, conductor, and composer. He was also nominated for nine Oscars, winning Best Original Score for The Wizard of Oz.-Biography:...
- Danced by Jeanette MacDonald
- Sung by Jeanette MacDonald
- Written by Herbert Stothart
- THE DONKEY SERENADE
- By Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart
- Lyrics by Bob Wright and Chet Forrest
- Sung by Allan JonesAllan JonesAllan Jones was an American actor and singer. For many years he was married to actress Irene Hervey; their son is American pop singer Jack Jones.-Life and career:...
- SYMPATHY
- Music by Rudolf Friml
- Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
- Sung by Jeanette MacDonald
- A WOMAN'S KISS
- Music by Rudolf Friml
- Lyrics by Bob Wright and Chet Forrest
- Sung by Allan Jones
- Backgroung vocal by Jeanette MacDonald
- GIANNINA MIA
- Music by Rudolf Friml
- Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
- Sung by Allan Jones
- He Who Loves And Runs Away
- Music by Rudolf Friml
- Lyrics by Gus KahnGus KahnGustav Gerson Kahn was a musician, songwriter and lyricist.-Biography:Kahn was born in Koblenz, Germany in 1886. The family emigrated from there to the United States and moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1890...
- Sung by Jeanette MacDonald
- WHEN A MAID COMES KNOCKING AT YOUR HEART
- Music by Rudolf Friml
- Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach, Bob Wright & Chet Forrest
- Sung by Jeanette MacDonald
- I LOVE YOU DON DIEGO
- Music by Rudolf Friml
- Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
- Sung by Jeanette MacDonald
- OJOS ROJOS (uncredited)
- Argentine Folk Song
- Arranged by Manuel Alvarez Maciste
- Played by Manuel Alvarez Maciste
- PARA LA SALUD
- Arranged by Herbert Stothart
- Danced by Jeanette MacDonald
- THE DONKEY SERENADE
- Music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart
- Lyrics by Bob Wright and Chet Forrest
- Sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Allan Jones
- FINALE: "GIANNINA MIA"
- Music by Rudolf Friml
- Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
- Sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Allan Jones
- ENGLISH MARCH
- Sung by Chorus
External links
- The Firefly at allmovie
- The Firefly Extensive information at Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy: A Tribute