Synopsis
A sparkling Ruritanian comedy starring two great actresses: Mady Christians is an ambassador who needs to outwit a rival diplomat and find favor with the princess of Silistria, played by Diana Karenne.
A Woman with Style
1928 ‘Eine Frau von Format’ Directed by Fritz Wendhausen
Director
Writers
Original Writers
Cinematography
Original Language
Spoken Language
Alternative Titles
L’ambasciatrice dell’amore, A Lady of Quality, A Woman of Distinction
Releases by Date
Theatrical
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Germany
09 Dec 1928
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Finland
Releases by Country
Finland
09 Dec 1928
- Theatrical
Germany
12 Sep 1928
- Theatrical
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Ruritanian Shenanigans
“Eine Frau von Format,” translated by the Pordenone Silent Film Festival as “A Lady of Quality” or “A Woman of Distinction,” but called “A Woman with Style” on Letterboxd—whatever you want to call it, it’s not as charming as star Mady Christians’s constant grinning would suggest, but then most of its charm is in her smile. Still, I prefer her in the superior Ruritanian picture by Anthony Asquith screened at last year’s festival, “The Runaway Princess” (1929). Here, she plays a diplomat from one of the neighboring fictional Balkan countries sent to bid for another Ruritania’s island, for which the princess is accepting offers so as to cover her wardrobe expenses. The whole affair turns into a battle…
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Another in Pordenone’s series of Ruritanian silents, this light comedy has two diplomats- one a man, the other a woman (Mady Christians)- jockeying for an island being sold by an indebted princess. Great premise. Christians really had a talent for this sort of comedy piece, her face conveying so much in micro-expressions. In the hands of a Lubitsch or the like, this could have been a classic. As it is, it’s still good and enjoyable.
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Mady Christians was certainly charming and the gowns in this were gorgeous, but I couldn't really get into this story as much as I'd like.
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For those who saw this at Pordenone: Mady Christians having to enter Silistria with her car pulled by a donkey reminded me of Harry Carey entering the town by being thrown off the train in The Fox.
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A Ruritanian social comedy that only grows funnier as it progresses, with Mady Christians' effervescent appeal much more obvious to me here than in The Runaway Princess. We get a delightful girl-power ending, to boot!
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Proof that Hollywood didn't have the lock on screwball comedies. It wouldn't surprise me if I found out there was a Claudette Colbert remake of this at some point. The only down point for me is the ambassador retiring at the end, when clearly she's the better diplomat, but that's gender for you back then.
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This does a good job at what Ruritanian comedies should: making us forget about the intricacies of international politics by giving us a bunch of fancy rich people falling in love with each other. Other than an eye rolling ending, the two leads are great fun with plenty of charm, wit, and chemistry to sell the film.