''The Private Life of Don Juan'' is a 1934 British

comedy-drama Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and Drama (film and television), drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, il ...

film directed by

Alexander Korda Sir Alexander Korda (; born Sándor László Kellner; ; 16 September 1893 – 23 January 1956)

and starring Douglas Fairbanks, Merle Oberon and Benita Hume. At the age of 51, it was the final role of Fairbanks, who died five years later. The film is about the life of the aging Don Juan, based on the 1920 play ''L'homme à la Rose'' (English: The Man With the Rose) by Henry Bataille. It was made by Korda's London Film Productions at British & Dominion Studios in Elstree/ Borehamwood and distributed by United Artists.

Plot

After twenty years in exile, an aging Don Juan returns to

Seville Seville ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Spain, Spanish autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the Guadalquivir, River Guadalquivir, ...

in secret with his friend Leporello trying to keep his health in check. His wife Dolores has threatened to have him thrown in prison because he won't see her after five years of absences. The next morning, he is surprised to find that all the town knows he is back. Rodrigo, an admirer of his, follows Don Juan everywhere, wanting to be just like him, and able to give a good impression of him with his own amorous advances. Don Juan prepares to flee to France but Rodrigo is killed by a jealous husband who believes he is Don Juan and all Seville now believes him dead. A book and play of his exploits are even written as he assumes the life of a Captain in seclusion. He attends his own magnificent funeral; six months later, having found many discomforts when pretending that Don Juan is dead (particularly when his statement of being Don Juan causes amusement and disbelief among his audience), he returns to Seville. His attempts to discredit the play as fiction fall short as no one believes him, even when his "widow" is asked about him. However, the two reunite in bed, complete with him breaking a window to get there.

Cast

* Douglas Fairbanks as Don Juan * Merle Oberon as Antonita, a dancer of passionate temperament * Bruce Winston as the cafe manager * Gina Malo as Pepita, another dancer of equal temperament * Benita Hume as Dona Dolores, a lady of mystery *

Binnie Barnes Gertrude Maud Barnes (25 March 1903 – 27 July 1998), known professionally as Binnie Barnes, was an English actress whose career in films spanned from 1923 to 1973. She was known for as a leading lady in films such as ''The Private Life of He ...

as Rosita, a maid pure and simple * Melville Cooper as Leporello * Owen Nares as Antonio Martinez, an actor, as actors go * Heather Thatcher as Anna Dora, an actress, as actresses go * Diana Napier as a lady of sentiment * Joan Gardner as Carmen, a young lady of romance * Gibson Gowland as Don Alfredo, Carmen's Poor Husband * Barry MacKay as Rodrigo, the Impostor, a Man of Romance * Claud Allister as The Duke, as Dukes Go * Athene Seyler as Theresa, the Innkeeper, a Middle Aged Lady of Young Sentiment * Hindle Edgar as A Jealous Husband * Natalie Paley as Jealous Husband's Poor Wife * Patricia Hilliard as The Girl at the Castle, a Young Girl in Love * Lawrence Grossmith as Pedo, Uncle of the Castle Girl, Who Knows Better * Clifford Heatherley as Pedro, Don Juan's Young Masseur * Morland Graham as Hector, Don Juan's Cook * Edmund Breon as Cardona, the Playwright, as Playwrights Go * Betty Hamilton as First Tired Businessman's Wife * Rosita Garcia as Second Tired Businessman's Wife * John Brownlee as Singer

References

External links

* * * 1934 films British black-and-white films 1930s romantic comedy-drama films British films based on plays Films directed by Alexander Korda London Films films British romantic comedy-drama films United Artists films Films based on the Don Juan legend Films set in Spain Films set in Seville Films set in the 17th century Films scored by Ernst Toch Films produced by Alexander Korda 1934 comedy films 1934 drama films Films shot at Imperial Studios, Elstree 1930s English-language films 1930s British films English-language romantic comedy-drama films Films based on works by Henry Bataille {{1930s-UK-comedy-film-stub