Undescribable Perfection

To me, this movie is perfection.

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

1938's "Josette" marked the fifth Hollywood feature for Simone Simon, after which she left 20th Century-Fox permanently and returned to France, not a bad entry to go out on, paving the way for her eventual return to RKO, where "Cat People" offered her screen immortality in a part she was born to play. She was not actually cast in the title role in "Josette," for the tempestuous gold digging chanteuse is portrayed by Tala Birell, her one ambition to wed a wealthy American millionaire, having met David Brassard Sr. (William Collier Sr.) in Havana. She suddenly disappears from her singing engagement in New Orleans for marriage in New York, only for the not so rich bridegroom to reveal the truth that his two sons run his cannery business while he only collects a monthly allowance of $500. Meanwhile, the harried manager of the Silver Moon nightclub (Bert Lahr) is pleased to have aspiring choir singer Renee Le Blanc (Simone) impersonate the absent Josette, enabling him to earn enough profits to keep the bank from taking his business. It is here that the Brassard brothers, happy go lucky Pierre (Robert Young) and businesslike David Jr. (Don Ameche), make the acquaintance of the girl they believe is Josette, intending to woo her away from their easily duped father. Renee is encouraged to keep up the charade to keep the manager happy, and this includes riverboat rides with Pierre, and one rain drenched Sunday drive with David, who finds himself falling in love with a girl who does not act at all like the gold digger he thinks she is. The imminent return of the real Josette does not prevent a happy ending for all, except perhaps for Josette's companion, played to comic perfection by the scene stealing Joan Davis. Among the unbilled cast members can be spotted Lon Chaney Jr., as a boatman for young David, hoping to catch up with Pierre in his ardent pursuit of sweet Renee. Chaney's two year stint at 20th Century-Fox resulted in few credited roles, but at least here he's granted some lines to distinguish him from Robert Lowery's equally miniscule boatman.

Josette, the sophisticated singer has attracted the attention of David Brassard senior. His two sons vow to get him away from the clutches of this woman who threatens to waste their father's fortune. In order to do so, they decide to go to the Silver Moon night club seeking to talk to Josette, not realizing the older Brassard has gone after the chanteuse to New York.Meanwhile, back at the cabaret, Barney Barnaby, its owner, finds himself in a mess trying to replace the headliner without much luck. Never fear, May Morris, a minor performer, suggests he hires the sweet Renee, a choir singer, to impersonate the absent Josette. It's at this moment when the younger Brassards, David and Pierre, decide to have it out with the singer, but in fact neither brother knows about the real identity of the fake Josette.As it turns out, Pierre, falls heads over heels for Renee. In fact, Renee has a mind of her own and sees the quality in the more grounded brother, David, who in turn falls in love with the sweet young woman, not before having to fight for her with his own brother."Josette", directed by Alan Dawn, is a seldom shown movie from the late 1930s that has a lot going for it thanks to the wonderful cast. This was one of the few films in which French star Michelle Simon appeared in American pictures. She was a charismatic presence who holds her own opposite of two great comedians of the time, Don Ameche and Robert Young. The result is a delightful comedy that is worth a look because of the talented cast that was assembled. Also, in minor roles, a wonderful Bert Lahr, the amazing Joan Davis, William Demarest and William Collier, among others.