Is The Smiling Lieutenant Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Smiling Lieutenant is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 89 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Smiling Lieutenant Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1931, The Smiling Lieutenant emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of An amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side. Unlike standard genre fare, The Smiling Lieutenant attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Smiling Lieutenant features a noteworthy lineup led by Maurice Chevalier . Supported by the likes of Claudette Colbert and Miriam Hopkins , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Smiling Lieutenant (1931) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Smiling Lieutenant Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Smiling Lieutenant is a Comedy, Romance film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Smiling Lieutenant Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Smiling Lieutenant concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Smiling Lieutenant reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Smiling Lieutenant?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of The Smiling Lieutenant
- Maurice Chevalier – Lt. Nikolaus 'Niki' von Preyn
- Claudette Colbert – Franzi
- Miriam Hopkins – Princess Anna
- Charles Ruggles – Max
- George Barbier – King Adolf XV
Top Highlights
Maurice ChevalierLt. Nikolaus 'Niki' von Preyn
Claudette ColbertFranzi
Miriam HopkinsPrincess Anna
Charles RugglesMax
George BarbierKing Adolf XV
Hugh O'ConnellNiki's Orderly
Maude AllenLady in Waiting (uncredited)
Granville BatesBill Collector (uncredited)
Harry C. BradleyCount Von Holden (uncredited)
Carrie DaumeryLady in Waiting (uncredited)
Where to Watch The Smiling Lieutenant Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
FlixFling🎟️ Rent on
FlixFling🏷️ Buy on
FlixFlingParents Guide & Age Rating
The Smiling Lieutenant is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.8/10, and global collection metrics, The Smiling Lieutenant stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1931 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Smiling Lieutenant movie hit or flop?
The Smiling Lieutenant has received mixed reviews with a 6.8/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Smiling Lieutenant worth watching?
The Smiling Lieutenant is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Romance movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Smiling Lieutenant online?
The Smiling Lieutenant is currently available for streaming on FlixFling. You can also check for it on platforms like FlixFling depending on your region.
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How The Smiling Lieutenant Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Smiling Lieutenant
How many films are you ever going to watch that have songs rhyming "liver" with "quiver" - or that quote Emperor Napoleon's last words before entering exile on Elbe - "so long!"? "Niki" (Maurice Chevalier) is a happy-go-lucky military officer in love with "Franzi" (Claudette Colbert) and all is set fair with their lives until a state visit to the Emperor by the princess "Anna" (Miriam Hopkins) lands him in hot water. He smiled at her as the carriage carrying her and her father, the King (George Barbier) passed by. His Majesty is outraged at such a diabolical liberty and so “Niki" is duly summoned. Luckily, he can think on his feet and he can also spell, so is spared death and becomes the apple of the princess's eye! Next thing, wedding bells are being readied and he is swept back to their home land of Flausenthurm a married man. "Franzi" follows and they try to keep something illicit going, but "Anna" is no fool and soon we have a sort of reverse love triangle as the two woman and their hapless hero try to work things out in quite an unusual fashion. Oscar Straus and Clifford Grey provide the musical numbers and though they are pretty unremarkable by themselves, they give the charismatic Chevalier a chance to grin quite a lot, wink now and again and for Colbert and Hopkins to shine. The humour is gently paced, and the whole thing looks like it was shot on the sound stage of the "Prisoner of Zenda". Sure, the story is a bit old hat but it has plenty of charisma to keep it going and is worth a watch.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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