The Private Life of Don Juan
The Private Life of Don Juan is a 1934 British comedy-drama film directed by Alexander Korda and starring Douglas Fairbanks, Merle Oberon and Benita Hume. It was Fairbanks' final film role. The film is about the life of the aging Don Juan, based on the 1920 play L'homme à la Rose by Henry Bataille. It was made by Korda's London Film Productions at British & Dominion Studios in Elstree/Borehamwood and distributed by United Artists.[1]
| The Private Life of Don Juan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Alexander Korda |
| Produced by | Alexander Korda (uncredited) |
| Written by | Frederick Lonsdale Lajos Bíró |
| Based on | L'homme à la Rose by Henry Bataille |
| Starring | Douglas Fairbanks Merle Oberon |
| Music by | Ernst Toch |
| Cinematography | Georges Perinal Robert LaPresle |
| Edited by | Stephen Harrison |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
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Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
After many years in exile, Don Juan returns to Seville in secret. His wife has threatened to have him thrown in prison. Next morning he is surprised to find that all the town knows he is back (not surprising really as he had a big sword fight on arrival). Rodrigo, an admirer of his, follows Don Juan everywhere, wanting to be just like him, and able to give a good impression of him. Don Juan prepares to flee to France but Rodrigo is killed by a jealous husband who believes he is Don Juan and all Seville now believes him dead. He attends his own magnificent funeral, but finds many discomforts now while pretending that Don Juan is dead, before finally sorting things out.
Cast
- Douglas Fairbanks as Don Juan
- Merle Oberon as Antonita, a dancer of passionate temperament
- Bruce Winston as the cafe manager
- Gina Malo as Pepita, another dancer of equal temperament
- Benita Hume as Dona Dolores, a lady of mystery
- Binnie Barnes as Rosita, a maid pure and simple
- Melville Cooper as Leporello
- Owen Nares as Antonio Martinez, an actor, as actors go
- Heather Thatcher as Anna Dora, an actress, as actresses go
- Diana Napier as a lady of sentiment
- Joan Gardner as Carmen, a young lady of romance
- Gibson Gowland as Don Alfredo, Carmen's Poor Husband
- Barry MacKay as Rodrigo, the Impostor, a Man of Romance
- Claud Allister as The Duke, as Dukes Go
- Athene Seyler as Theresa, the Innkeeper, a Middle Aged Lady of Young Sentiment
- Hindle Edgar as A Jealous Husband
- Natalie Paley as Jealous Husband's Poor Wife
- Patricia Hilliard as The Girl at the Castle, a Young Girl in Love
- Lawrence Grossmith as Pedo, Uncle of the Castle Girl, Who Knows Better
- Clifford Heatherley as Pedro, Don Juan's Young Masseur
- Morland Graham as Hector, Don Juan's Cook
- Edmund Breon as Cardona, the Playwright, as Playwrights Go
- Betty Hamilton as First Tired Businessman's Wife
- Rosita Garcia as Second Tired Businessman's Wife
- John Brownlee as Singer
References
- Warren, Patricia (2001). British Film Studios: An Illustrated History. London: B. T. Batsford. p. 79.
External links
- The Private Life of Don Juan at IMDb
- The Private Life of Don Juan at the TCM Movie Database
- The Private Life of Don Juan at AllMovie