The Merry Widow

Maurice Chevalier and Jeannette MacDonald (in her career-defining role) star in this song-and-dance filled romp directed by Ernst Lubitsch, perhaps the most memorable of several film adaptations of Franz Lehar's operetta. In 1885, King Achmed (George Barbier) strives to protect the financial interests of his small, poor kingdom of Marshovia in Central Europe. When the kingdom's wealthiest widow, Sonia (MacDonald), goes off to Paris, the king sends the village's greatest lover, Prince Danilo (Chevalier), to woo her so she will marry him and return to the small kingdom with her riches. But Danilo is distracted from his royal task by the many lovely Parisian women.