The Night Is Young: A Fluffy, Old-Fashioned Mess

Is this thing worth the watch?

If you're in the mood for a dusty, old-school musical where everyone acts like they’re in a play even when they’re just eating breakfast, then sure, go for it. People who love those breezy 1930s studio films with big staircases and fancy uniforms will have a blast. Everyone else? You’ll probably spend half the runtime checking your watch or staring at the wall.

It’s one of those movies that feels like a soufflé that didn't quite rise. It’s light, it’s sweet, but it’s mostly just air.

The Setup

The plot is pure silliness. Archduke Gustl—played by Ramon Novarro, who looks like he’s trying his hardest not to laugh at the dialogue—needs a cover story. He picks Lisl, the worst dancer in the company, because why not? The whole premise relies on the audience just *accepting* that the royal family would be totally fine with an Archduke living with a ballerina just because she’s supposedly "harmless."

It doesn't make a lick of sense, but the costumes are shiny, so I guess that counts for something.

Odd Little Moments

There’s this bit where Lisl is staring at her piano player boyfriend during a performance. It’s supposed to be romantic, but she just looks like she’s forgotten how to walk. It’s these weird, awkward beats that actually make the movie watchable. It’s not smooth, but it feels human.

And don't get me started on the scenes where the Emperor just sighs at everything. He’s basically the only person in the film with common sense. It made me think of the way people talk about the old days in 'Twas Ever Thus, just with more velvet and less grit.

The Verdict

The movie gets noticeably better when it stops pretending to be a high-stakes royal drama. When it’s just the characters being goofy, it’s actually kind of charming. It’s not a masterpiece, and honestly, the pacing is a bit of a disaster. But there’s a certain sweetness here that’s hard to hate, even when the script is clearly running on fumes.

• The ballet sequences are mostly just people standing around looking confused.
• The dialogue is remarkably stiff, even for the era.
• I really wanted more of the piano player, he was the only one having any fun.
• It's the kind of movie you put on while doing laundry and don't feel bad about missing ten minutes of.

It’s fine. It’s not great, but it’s fine. Sometimes, that’s all you really need on a Tuesday night. 🎭