I Met Him in Paris

I Met Him in Paris really should have been titled "I Met THEM in Paris," because this mid-1930s screwball romcom begins with its heroine meeting two men in a Paris bar, both of whom are instantly smitten. Both guys then spend the rest of the movie relentlessly pursuing her in their respective, inimitable ways. And while Paris does play a part in the film, it's a small one. The bulk of the zany action transpires in Switzerland, and it's out on the slopes, on the ice rink, and in bobsleds and horse-drawn sleighs, where some of the funniest scenes of this underrated romp take place.

Manhattan fashion designer Kay Denham (Claudette Colbert) can't wait to leave her milquetoast boyfriend Berk Sutter (Lee Bowman) and set sail for France, but once she arrives in Paris for a long-awaited three-week vacation, she doesn't quite know what to do with herself. Her ennui, though, vanishes when best friends and bitter rivals George Potter (Melvyn Douglas), an acerbic playwright, and Gene Anders (Robert Young), an impetuous playboy and novelist, drop by her table. The more aggressive Gene stakes his claim first, but Kay seems more simpatico with the soft-spoken, somewhat ornery George.

Gene invites Kay to Switzerland for a romantic snow and ski rendezvous, but she'll only go if George accompanies them as their "chaperone." George is only too eager to oblige, but tensions mount between the three as both men vie for Kay's affections. One of them, though, harbors a secret that could jeopardize his chances and disillusion the upstanding Kay, while the other makes the fatal mistake of keeping mum about his friend's deception.

Directed with spirit and a delightful sense of the absurd by Wesley Ruggles, who received his sole Oscar nomination several years earlier for the Best Picture winner Cimarron, I Met Him in Paris takes the standard romcom premise and beefs it up with a snappy script by Claude Binyon, who wrote two previous Colbert vehicles, The Gilded Lily and The Bride Comes Home. Binyon maximizes the Swiss setting, fashioning some laugh-out-loud sequences, the best of which is a white-knuckle bobsled ride that leaves Kay slipping and sliding on the icy track.

Not only does Colbert show off her flair for physical comedy, but she also displays her slick ski skills and ice skating prowess. She's no Sonja Henie, but she's very comfortable on skates, as is Douglas. Paramount reportedly spent more than $1 million recreating the Swiss ski resort of St. Moritz in Sun Valley, Idaho, and the investment pays off. The location shooting lends the silly plot more credence and adds a level of authenticity few movies of the period could claim.

Colbert handles the dual romances with her usual mix of wit, candor, and vulnerability. Her easygoing acting style never feels forced and she crafts a believable portrayal even in slapstick circumstances. Her chemistry with both Douglas and Young is terrific, and though it's pretty obvious who she'll end up with at the end, she generates sparks with both actors. The debonair Douglas delivers his lines with plenty of deadpan cynicism, but it's the ebullient Young who steals the show, fully embracing his smooth operator character. His scenes with Colbert sparkle, but he's even better trading barbs with Douglas and the hapless Bowman, who began making a name for himself with his portrayal of the bothersome boyfriend Kay can't shake.

The story's abrupt ending leaves a slightly sour taste, but can't tarnish this breezy, light-as-a-soufflé romcom that's lots of fun while it lasts. Colbert and the two men she met in Paris provide great company for 87 minutes, and the snowy setting makes I Met Him in Paris a cozy flick to cuddle up with any time of year.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
I Met Him in Paris arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a standard case. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4, and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu without music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.

Of the three Claudette Colbert Blu-rays recently released by Universal that I've reviewed so far, I Met Him in Paris boasts the best transfer by a long shot. It doesn't seem as if any remastering has been performed, but the source is in surprisingly good shape, and the 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer exhibits a lovely, film-like feel and faithfully honors the cinematography of two-time Oscar nominee Leo Tover. Grain is quite evident, but it never overpowers the image, which features strong blacks, bright, stable whites (there's a ton of snow in the movie, and it's beautifully rendered), and a broad grayscale.

The fine details of Colbert's elegant costumes are distinct, process shots appear fairly seamless, and sharp close-ups flatter the principals. Though some faint lines, a couple of blotches, and other age-related print damage crop up here and there, the afflictions aren't nearly as prevalent or severe as they are on the Zaza and Skylark discs. Most of the source looks quite clean, and the picture's freshness and vibrancy really enhances enjoyment of and involvement in the film. If you're a Colbert fan, you'll definitely want to pick up this disc.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track supplies clear, well-modulated sound that's spiked with some robust accents. Galloping horse hooves, the whoosh, crackle, and roar of the bobsled as it blazes down the mountain, the rattling train, and the crunch of skis in the snow are all wonderfully crisp, and all the dialogue is well prioritized and easy to comprehend. The incidental music exudes a nice fullness of tone and no age-related hiss, pops, or crackle intrude.

There are no supplements whatsoever on the disc, not even a trailer.

I Met Him in Paris may not stand as one of Colbert's best films, but it's a fun diversion that the star's fans will certainly enjoy. A couple of hilarious farcical episodes, the snowy locations, some biting banter, and the chemistry between Colbert, Douglas, and Young all enhance this breezy romcom. Though the lack of extras is disappointing, Universal's above-average transfer and remastered audio revitalize this largely forgotten - but far from forgettable - film. Recommended. 

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