Sonja Henie's last film is an unexpected delight - really bright and fun, one of her best movies. She had learned something over the years - it's one of her best performances as a barmaid who is cast as an extra. The director treats her badly so she steals a car and pretends to be a countess for a weekend. I wish they'd given her a less selfish reason for the deception (like she's doing it to raise money for an operation or something) but Henie's animated and pert and in the mood for fun.
She falls for a lieutenant - some guy who was Henie's co skater in real life, and he's not at all bad, good looking and can act well enough (he is awkward). It's bizarre though that they don't get him to skate more - Henie dreams of them skating together, and they skate a bit at the end, but surely they should have had them skating together all the way through?
Olga San Juan is Henie's friend and she's fantastic - spirited, funny. I'd never noticed her before in anything - she's great. I love how Henie has a partner in crime. Bill Bowers is credited for the script and I'd like to think he did all that funny stuff where she holds off the detectives talking about her crime past.
Other strong support performances from the hotel manager and the thief. This has a lovely larcenous subtext.
Some good skating - the budget wasn't small. I assume this didn't make money.
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