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You Will Be a Duchess
"Tu seras duchesse!" ("You'll Be a Duchess!") With these words, self-made industrialist Poisson orders his daughter Lucie to marry a wealthy Duke. The duke's father objects to the union, whereupon Poisson arranges another marriage for his daughter, this time to an impoverished and sickly young marquis. Poisson's strategy runs something like this: the Marquis is expected to die soon, whereupon the widowed Lucie will become a marquess, and thus a worthy bride for the Duke. But the Marquis foils these plans by staging a miraculous recovery. The explanation? The Marquis and Lucie have been in love all along, and this was the only way that they could wed with Poisson's blessing. Darned clever, these Frenchmen!.
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Plot Summary
A wealthy and aging American heiress, disillusioned with her suitors, decides to travel to Europe in search of a European prince to marry. However, her plans are complicated by the interference of her fortune-hunting uncle and a charming but penniless European nobleman.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, 'You Will Be a Duchess' received mixed reviews, with some critics praising Mary Pickford's performance and the film's lighthearted musical numbers, while others found the plot to be predictable and lacking substance.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for Mary Pickford's star power and charm.
Criticized for a thin and formulaic romantic comedy plot.
Musical sequences were noted as a highlight for some.
Google audience: Audience reception is largely unrecorded due to the film's age and limited distribution, but contemporary reviews suggest a moderately entertaining film that relied heavily on its star.
Fun Fact
This was one of Mary Pickford's final films, marking a significant shift in her career as she moved away from her iconic 'America's Sweetheart' persona towards more mature roles.
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