On the Riviera (1951)

Theatrical Release Information  |  See Details About All Versions

On the Riviera is a remake of 1941's Weekend in Havana, which in turn was a remake of 1934's Folies Bergere. The plot remains the same in all three incarnations: for business purposes, a nightclub entertainer is coerced into posing as his look-alike, a powerful financier/aviator. This time it's Danny Kaye who essays the dual role of American cabaret comedian Jack Martin and French financial wizard Henri Duran. While impersonating Duran, Martin is forced to make amorous advances towards Duran's neglected wife (Gene Tierney), proving himself the better lover in the process. Meanwhile, Martin must mollify his genuine sweetheart (and nightclub partner) Collette (Corinne Calvet) without revealing his ruse. A little too top-heavy in the plot department, On the Riviera must be regarded as a second-echelon Danny Kaye vehicle, though Sylvia Fine's specialty numbers -- especially the eerily autobiographical "Popo the Puppet" -- are well up to standard. One of the uncredited specialty dancers is future Broadway star Gwen Verdon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

90 mins

Complete Cast:

Director(s):

Walter Lang

Writer(s):

Henry Ephron, Phoebe Ephron, Valentine Davies

Producer(s):

Sol C. Siegel

Closed Captioning:

Check All Versions

Subtitles:

Check All Versions

• 1951 - On the Riviera - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy