I Met Him in Paris (1937) User Reviews

Cute love triangle in the snow

[HotToastyRag · 6/10 · 17 March 2019]

Poor Lee Bowman! There's nothing wrong with his appearance or acting, but he always plays the guy who gets thrown over for another guy. In I Met Him in Paris, he's engaged to Claudette Colbert, but she's not sure she wants to settle down for someone so steady and reliable. Off she goes to Paris to make up her mind and have one last fling. The one last fling turns into two as she gets wooed by both Robert Young and Melvyn Douglas.

If you like romantic ski lodge movies, like Last Holiday, rent this black-and-white version for a real treat. I absolutely love Claudette, and even though she's an incredible dramatic actress, she's best well known for her cutesy comedies. She's just as adorable as she always is in this one, and this time around, she gets to prance around in the snow and take a toboggan ride! And as far as the love triangle goes, it's very hard to choose between Robert and Melvyn's characters. Robert is charming, glib, and romantic, but since he comes across as being too good to be true, you can't help but want to give Melvyn a fair chance. He's dead-set against his rival and a bit of a downer sometimes, so you can't help but want to give Lee another chance! My, my, who will Claudette pick?

Goofy Fun

[nelsonhodgie · 7/10 · 19 February 2021]

Yeah the plot is dumb. Why doesn't Douglas spill the beans about his friend right away? Why are Douglas and Young friends ? That aside there's some really funny moments when the trio get to Switzerland. Most of this involves Colbert, Douglas, and Young trying out some very dangerous winter sports activities. This section is very well filmed as well. Then there's the real reason to watch this movie . The sexy, sassy, sophisticated ever beautiful Claudette Colbert in her prime. This is a must for Colbert fans.

And I Nailed Him In Switzerland

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 28 August 2011]

Paramount imported two of MGM's second line leading men to appear opposite Claudette Colbert in I Met Him In Paris. This film finds Claudette as a buyer for a New York department store on a holiday in France trying to decide whether she wants to marry staid and established Lee Bowman.

But of course the last place you want to go to make decisions like that is Paris because too many temptations will find you. In this case two too many temptations in the form of cynical Melvyn Douglas and romantic Robert Young.

Young decides to invite Colbert on a skiing holiday in Switzerland and Douglas decides to invite himself along. The best scenes in the film involve all three of our protagonists learning winter sports. In fact the scene involving Claudette Colbert falling off a toboggan and being in harm's way of another racing toboggan is a great example of a really dangerous situation being played for laughs and quite successfully.

I Met Him In Paris which has the bulk of its scenes in Hollywood recreated Switzerland is a great example of a nice comedy which really could have been better if an Ernest Lubitsch or a Leo McCarey had done it. Mona Barrie has a small, but very important part that occurs toward the end of the film which I cannot say more about lest I spoil things.

Definitely fans of Claudette Colbert will appreciate this film which holds up very well after over 70 years.

"You have the ask to wish for me your pleasure?"

[rick_7 · 11 June 2010]

I Met Him in Paris (Wesley Ruggles, 1937) is a pleasant little romantic comedy that keeps threatening to turn into a more interesting, adult film, but never really explains its central tenet: why sourpuss Melvyn Douglas must chaperone young lovers Claudette Colbert and Robert Young on their sojourn from Gay Paree to snowy Switzerland. In addition, the Paris setting isn't effectively utilised - presumably it was just a suitably exotic spot for Colbert to be romanced as well as a nice hook for the title - while the Swiss one brings largely slapstick peril. But the leads were consummate performers capable of lifting the most unpromising material and they make a good fist of it here. Lee Bowman is fun in support as Colbert's "trusting" suitor, in a David Niven-like turn. The snowbound scenes were shot at Sun Valley, Idaho, the setting for Fox's hit musical Sun Valley Serenade. The ending, with three men squabbling over the lead, was later borrowed for the Jean Arthur film The Lady Takes a Chance.

a later screwball comedy

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 29 April 2016]

Claudette Colbert stars with Robert Young and Melvyn Douglas in "I Met Him in Paris" from 1937. The beautiful Colbert, as Kay Denham, is en route to Paris via ship, and it's her dream trip, her trip of a lifetime. She can't get her fiancé (Lee Bowman) out her stateroom fast enough. Ah, Paree.

We next see her miserable face when she's been in Paris for three days. She's realizing that she should not have come alone, and no one speaks English. Worse than all of that, no one has written to her. I lived in Europe and it's hard when you don't get mail.

Then, in the American Bar of the hotel, she meets two men, George Potter (Douglas) and Gene Anders (Young). They start spending time together, and while she likes Gene, she's not so sure about Potter.

The fact is, Potter disapproves of Anders. We soon learn why. When Anders invites Kay to Switzerland, Potter insists on coming along as chaperon.

I would say the film picks up once they reach Switzerland, because some of the scenes where they try different sports were hilarious. My favorite is when Kay falls off a luge and she's trying to get off the track, but the walls are curved and slick -- and another luge is coming. It was hysterical. They try another activity where they are on skis behind horses and each person holds the reins of their horse as the horses are galloping and they are screaming "Whoa!" They also ice skate and ski.

Directed by Wesley Ruggles, the film doesn't have any pace or much humor, again, until they reach Switzerland, and it's based on kind of a dumb premise. If Potter disapproves of Gene, why doesn't he tell Kay why? Why would he agree to go along as Gene tries to romance Kay?

Screwball comedies were on their way out when this was made, though there would still be some good ones, Bringing Up Baby and Merrily We Live coming to mind. They would find new life later on television. Unfortunately this falls short, despite a wonderful cast and beautiful scenery.

Charming fluff

[touser2004 · 6/10 · 24 September 2017]

If you love romantic comedies then this passes as easy watching.Douglas and Colbert gel but the script lacked sparkle . When I analyse Colberts career it has to be said that she really isn't in many that you would describe as classics,that have stood the test of time.Her performances are generally excellent but often in mediocre films

Romance in the less than thrilling alps

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 1 May 2020]

Actually have no bias against fluffy romantic comedies, and certainly not those from the 30s so that is not the reason as to why 'I Met Him in Paris' didn't quite work for me. There were plenty of screwball and romantic comedies from the 30s and there are a good deal that are good and more. Have liked Claudette Colbert and Melvyn Douglas in other things and on paper their roles here sounded perfect for them. Haven't seen enough of Wesley Ruggles' work, but what has been seen has been uneven.

'I Met Him in Paris' has its moments, it's well made, has entertaining and charming moments and the cast do really well with the material in roles that suit them well. Somehow though it doesn't quite come together, and would have been much better with much more spark and a far more believable story because 'I Met Him in Paris' tended to lack especially the latter. Again, not a bad film. Just not a great one, which was disappointing considering the potential. If anything, it actually left me conflicted.

Will start with what is done well. Really liked the glossy look of the production values, especially the stylish photography and Colbert's truly beautiful clothes. The settings are also suitably exotic The music has playfulness without trying too hard to be quirky and sumptuous ones without being sugary. Ruggles fares competently in the direction at times, especially in the charming snowy scenes.

The script has moments of barbed wit and some nice sophistication, and there are charming scenes such as Colbert and Douglas on ice. The cast do really well and they spar together in an often blistering fashion, Colbert is adorable and amusing and Douglas is suitably suave and doesn't play his part too seriously. Robert Young does his best to bring charm to a not always pleasant and too good to be true part and does succeed.

Of the cast, only Lee Bowman underwhelms with a bland, underwritten character that he struggles to do much with. So it was not always easy to sympathise with him. The script definitely could have done with more consistent wit, and sharper wit at that, and tautness and also would have benefitted from not being too contrived, because some of it is rather forced.

Furthermore, too much of the story, based on a premise that was pretty silly anyway in the first place, is improbable with too many character motivations and decisions not making sense due to not being explored enough or introduced properly. It is particularly apparent in the final third and brings down 'I Met Him in Paris' a lot. It also takes too long to get going, the Paris portion doesn't really engage.

Altogether, found myself very conflicted on 'I Met Him in Paris. A generous 6/10

Love Triangle peaks in Swiss Alps

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 26 October 2014]

My heading above much more accurately describes this movie. Maybe they didn't want to give away the plot, for some strange reason. I think this is just one of those instances when the producers stuck with an early title and didn't think to change it. Anyway, this movie is an entertaining, if far-fetched, story about a love triangle. Or, more like a love quadrangle at the start and finish.

Claudette Colbert is the focus of the triangle, and her two main suitors vying for her affections are wonderfully played by Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young. The humor comes mostly in the sparring between the two competitors.

"I Met Him in Paris" isn't one of the wittier comedy romances that Colbert made; but it has its occasional clever or really goofy line that will cause a laugh. Kay (Colbert) is a New York fashion designer who has been saving and planning a three-week trip to Paris for five years.

Early in the movie after her arrival in Paris, she goes into the American Restaurant in the high-class hotel where she's staying. She asks the maître d' if he speaks English, and he calls for a particular waiter. The waiter's line floors Kay: "Madam. You have the ask to wish for me you pleasure." After Kay's recovery and a couple questions about his English, he says he learned English from a Japanese house boy from America.

Later, after she has met George (Douglas) and Gene (Young), she dances with George who is admittedly a terrible dancer. As they walk back to their table, George says, "Did I do that?" Kay says, "Oh, no. I was limping when I came in."

The best humor, and most of it in this film, comes from a number of escapades. The trio leaves Paris for Switzerland, with George to act as chaperon of Gene and Kay. There is a nice long scene of Kay and George ice skating. Another long humorous adventure has Kay and Gene skiing downhill. A third has all three of them bobsledding.

Naturally, with all this winter activity, the film has some beautiful scenery. The outdoor stuff was shot at Sun Valley, Idaho, with scenes that could pass for the Swiss Alps.

I mentioned that the plot was pretty far-fetched; but one must remember that the majority of people were very proper with relationships in that time. So, it's conceivable, but not very likely, that a single attractive woman (she is obviously playing a mature young woman - not a teenager or young girl), would go off for a week of fun in the snow with two men.

Of course, the language barrier aspect was needed in this film to get the one funny situation with the waiter who knew a bunch of English words but not how to use them to make sense. The film was made in 1937, and most upscale restaurants in Paris would have had English- speaking waiters and maître d's then. Their English cousins across the Channel would have been going to Paris for decades to vacation, shop, do business or for entertainment. And, since WWI especially, many Americans would be traveling to "gay Paree" for the same reasons. But then, maybe that was another subtle funny of the film - since it was the American Restaurant.

One big flaw seriously hampers this film

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 13 November 2009]

This is a well-acted and enjoyable film in most ways, but one element in this plot really left me flat. It's a shame, as the film, with a few plot changes, could have been much, much better.

The movie begins with Claudette Colbert on board a ship which is about to be headed to Paris. Her boyfriend is with her--trying to convince her to marry him and give up this trip. However, she is determined to see something of the world, as her life is rather dull.

Once in Paris, however, things don't seem that interesting as Claudette doesn't know anyone or the language (in real life, I am pretty sure that the French-born actress was fluent). When she meets up with two fellow Americans, Robert Young and Melvyn Douglas, they spend the rest of the trip together. Young and Douglas are friends traveling together, but Young has a secret--as he's ardently wooing Miss Colbert, he already has a wife. This really makes him out to be a creep and inexplicably, Douglas (who doesn't approve) says nothing to warn Colbert!! Now considering that Douglas is supposed to be a nice guy, his allowing his friend to chase Colbert is pretty despicable and makes no sense at all--especially since Douglas, too, wants Colbert for himself. So why didn't he just tell her that his buddy was already married and end all the suspense?! I hate it when a film hinges on a plot element that makes no sense and Douglas' complicity makes no sense at all--plus it makes the viewer dislike both male leads.

It's a shame, really, as apart from this huge problem, the dialog is witty and the actors try their best. In fact, one of the most delightful aspects of I MET HIM IN France was watching Colbert and Douglas ice skate. They were both remarkably good and doubles were not used in the scenes--it really is the actors doing figure eights and skating backwards.

So is it worth seeing? Well, if you are a total nut for classic Hollywood films, sure. But don't rush out to see it. Otherwise, if you aren't already a huge fan, this film will do nothing to convert you and each of the leads has done much better films that you should see first.

This movie shows why screwball comedies were already dying by 1937

[HeathCliff-2 · 3/10 · 9 November 2009]

Two clunkers in a row - first Bluebeard, then I met him in Paris. The clothes are great, the settings lovely, and the script - a mind-boggling inane conglomeration of improbable and contrived situations that must have contributed to the demise of the screwball comedy. A series of wealthy people with too much time on their hands, acting juvenile (or madcap, as they used to call it). Everyone here has been better elsewhere. Douglas and Young are both in love with Colbert, and three high-tail it off to Switzerland, as the question surfaces: who will Claudette end up with? Of course, Melvyn Douglas is billed above Robert Young, so we know what the outcome must be. As much as I love old films, and Colbert, and Douglas, and Young, I stuck this one out, but it never really gelled for me.

Pretty Little Pet Claudette

[HarlowMGM · 10/10 · 29 September 2020]

Claudette Colbert stars in one of her most underrated romantic comedies (though it was a big hit at the time and so acclaimed that The New York Times listed it as one of the ten best films of the year) as an aspiring American fashion designer who is off to see Paris and leave her dull fiancé Lee Bowman behind for at least a temporary separation. Alas, Claudette is a lost babe in the woods in France, speaking no French but she runs into two young Americans who take her under her wing and have more than a little interest in taking her romantically. Moderately successful novelist Robert Young is the one who is the more spirited and to Claudette's taste; his playwright buddy Melvyn Douglas is a little too stodgy and dour for her. She thinks Douglas is a spoil sport nosing in on their fun, unaware he is actually watching out for her since Bobby boy is not yet divorced and has a habit of romancing innocent young ladies. Eventually she warms up a little to Douglas but when she learns that the boys have hidden Young's marital status from her she's enraged and none too pleased either with her old beau Bowman who clearly doesn't trust her and has shown up to check up on her. (Claudette's character herself isn't that much of an angel given she's open to being wooed even while she is promised to another). This delightful piece of fluff moves faster than the runaway bobsled Claudette finds herself on at one point and while the plot has holes (shouldn't she have been checking out the fashion scene in Paris on her vacation rather than venturing off to Switzerland with the boys?) the movie is a lot of fun and the queen of romantic comedy, Miss Colbert, gives one of her most delightful performances.

Leave These Bickering People in Paris!

[JLRMovieReviews · 2/10 · 8 November 2013]

Claudette Colbert saved and scrimped for a trip to Paris just for her own little self. Even beau Lee Bowman can't talk her out of it. It's not that he's not happy for her or begrudging her well-deserved trip, but he feels anything can happen to her without him there. Though just why he's not going, I don't remember or understand. She goes, meets a waiter who speaks funny English, a French masher, and Robert Young and Melvyn Douglas who rescue her from the masher. But Bob came to her rescue first. The two men are supposedly friends, because they hang out together, but they don't act like it with their constant ribbing and competitiveness over Claudette. For such a good cast, it's hard to describe just how really bad this film is. There's no pace, no laughs, no anything. Just talking, and they're constantly bickering, and Claudette bad-mouths the other guy to the one she's with at the time. This was a total disappointment for all concerned, including director Wesley Ruggles. And, frankly, it's one of the worst old movies I've seen in a long time. Poor Claudette! Who cares who she picked! Stay away from this picture.

But It Happened on the Alps.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 30 June 2012]

In a variation of Noel Coward's "Design For Living" (minus the sex), this so-called romantic comedy focuses on an American girl (Claudette Colbert) who has saved money for years to take a trip to Paris where she is approached by playboy Robert Young and agrees to travel with him and his friend Melvyn Douglas to Switzerland, albeit "platonically". Even though she has shared a kiss with Young, it is apparent her only motive is to have fun, not find love. Douglas is his rather dour friend who acts as "chaperone", which causes her to explode at him in frustration over his too serious attitude towards their trip. He reveals a softer side to her, and from there, she begins to spend half her time with one, and half with the other. Each one tries to outdo the other in an effort to spend time with her and win her affections.

Only part of the first quarter and part of the conclusion actually take place in Paris; More than 50% of the film takes place in Switzerland. The film's energy comes and goes, and when it does (particularly a scene on a speeding toboggan and later a skiing sequence), it is fully alive. But the majority of the time, it lays there, flat as Douglas's personality throughout most of the film. Even with some great art decco sets and breathtaking snowy scenery, it is not as amusing as it should have been. For the most part, comedies set in snowy settings (such as "Snowed Under", "The Goose and the Gander" and "Petticoat Fever") are rather mediocre; Snow seems to do better with action or adventure ("Island in the Sky", "Mrs. Mike"). Wesley Ruggles, while a fine director, was not as adept as Ernst Lubitsh, Preston Sturges or Mitchell Leissen when it came to romantic comedy. Ironically, Douglas would end up skiing in another romantic comedy several years later with someone named Garbo. Fritz Feld is amusing as a Franklin Pangborn like hotel clerk. But with the film long on talk and short on humor, it sadly misses the mark.