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I Give My Heart
The Loves of Madame du Barry was the American title of the 1935 British operetta I Give My Heart, based on the stage musical The Du Barry. German actress Gitta Alpar stars as Jeanne, the young 18th century Parisian milliner who sleeps her way to the uppermost rungs of French aristocracy, emerging at last as the glamorous Madame du Barry, mistress of Louis XV (Owen Nares). Refusing to gloss over du Barry's sexual peccadilloes (as previous films with Norma Talmadge and Dolores del Rio had done), the film presents the "heroine" as a whore, pure and simple-or, on second thought, not so pure and simple! Particularly troublesome for American censors was a scene in which du Barry is depicted as a resident of a bawdy house. Otherwise, The Loves of Madame du Barry is standard historical-drama fare, allowing dozens of top European actors to play "dress-up" for 90 minutes.
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Plot Summary
In 19th-century Hungary, a young stable girl named Ilona dreams of becoming a prima donna. She catches the eye of a wealthy count who helps her pursue her operatic ambitions. However, her success comes with emotional turmoil as she navigates love, ambition, and social expectations.
Critical Reception
The film was a moderate success, noted for its operatic performances and lavish production values, though some critics found its plot predictable. It was particularly popular for showcasing the talents of its lead actress, Gitta Alpár.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for Gitta Alpár's vocal and performance abilities.
Noted for its charming melodies and colorful operetta style.
Some found the story a bit too conventional for its time.
Google audience: Audience reception from the era is largely unrecorded, but contemporary reviews suggest it was enjoyed by those who appreciated musical dramas and operetta.
Fun Fact
Gitta Alpár, who starred as Ilona, was a renowned operatic soprano in real life, and this film was an adaptation of the popular operetta 'Die Csárdásfürstin' (The Merry Widow).
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