Trouble in Paradise (1932) : Classic Movie Hub (CMH)

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Trouble in Paradise (1932)
Director(s)	Ernst Lubitsch
Producer(s)	Ernst Lubitsch
Top Genres	Comedy, Crime, Romance
Top Topics	Based on Play, Pre-Code Cinema, Romance (Comic), Screwball Comedy

Featured Cast:

See Full Cast

Kay Francis
(as Madame Mariette Colet)

Herbert Marshall
(as Gaston Monescu)

Trouble in Paradise Overview:

Trouble in Paradise (1932) was a Comedy - Crime Film directed by Ernst Lubitsch and produced by Ernst Lubitsch.

SYNOPSIS

This continental confection from Lubitsch features a sharp script full of tangy double entendres and a strong cast. Marshall and Hopkins, a pair of sophisticated thieves (and former lovers), travel from Venice to Paris, where they compete with each other as they insinuate themselves into the life of a wealthy owner of a perfume boutique (Francis) as secretary and maid. The urbane Marshall finds himself romantically inclined, putting the big heist in jeopardy, but Francis's beau Horton thinks he smells a rat. A sumptuously Deco-designed, pre-Code bedroom farce without equal since.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Trouble in Paradise was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1991.

BlogHub Articles:

“Trouble in Paradise” (1932): A Masterclass in Pre-Code Elegance and High-Stakes Deception

By Stephen Reginald on Sep 15, 2026 From Classic Movie Man

“Trouble in Paradise” (1932): A Masterclass in Pre-Code Elegance and High-Stakes Deception Directed by legendary filmmaker Ernst Lubitsch, Trouble in Paradise (1932) is a quintessential pre-Code romantic comedy starring Herbert Marshall, Kay Francis, and Miriam Hopkins. Set against ... Read full article

The Style Essentials - Kay Francis Battles in Bias Cut in 1932's TROUBLE IN PARADISE

on Jul 22, 2019 From GlamAmor

Last Saturday was the second in my STYLE OF SIN series at the American Cinematheque, and it was focused on the Queen of Pre-Code herself - Kay Francis. I spoke all about the Production Code, Kay's life and career, and then the backstories of our double feature Girls About Town (1931) and Jewel Robbe... Read full article

COMEDY GOLD #10: ‘Tonsils!’ from Trouble in Paradise (1932)

By Carol Martinheira on Dec 7, 2018 From The Old Hollywood Garden

COMEDY GOLD #10: ‘Tonsils!’ from Trouble in Paradise (1932) On December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 By CarolIn Uncategorized Last year, I wrote a little piece about Edward Everett Horton’s inescapable and always welcome presence in 1930s and 40s comedy fi... Read full article

Review: Trouble in Paradise (1932)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Oct 18, 2018 From 4 Star Films

Ernst Lubitsch made a name for himself and his “touch” in silents as well as leaving an indelible mark on the 1940s with the likes of Shop Around The Corner (1940), To Be or Not to Be (1942), Heaven Can Wait (1943), and Cluny Brown (1946). But for me, no film better personifies his wit a... Read full article

Trouble in Paradise (1932) (2)

By Carol Martinheira on Jan 4, 2017 From The Old Hollywood Garden

Trouble in Paradise (1932) On January 4, 2017January 4, 2017 By CarolIn Uncategorized If you?re as obsessed with Billy Wilder as I am, you?ll know that he had a sign on his wall that read ?How would Lubitsch do it??. If you watch Trouble in Paradise (1932), you?ll unde... Read full article

See all Trouble in Paradise articles

Quotes from

Lily Vautier: Well, I'll leave you alone with that lady. But if you behave like a gentleman, I'll break your neck.

Lily Vautier: Don't you remember the day you took that Chinese vase from the Royal Palace? And you made it into a lamp for my night table.
Gaston Monescu: I remember the lamp, I remember the night table... . and I remember the night.

Waiter: Yes, Baron. What should we start with, Baron? Hmm?
Gaston Monescu: Oh yes. That's not so easy. Beginnings are always difficult.
Waiter: Yes, Baron.
Gaston Monescu: If Casanova suddenly turned out to be Romeo having supper with Juliet, who might become Cleopatra, how would you start?
Waiter: I would start with cocktails.

Facts about

The movie was not approved for re-issue in 1935 when the Production Code was being rigorously enforced.

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

Cary Grant was also considered to play the leading part, but in 1932 he was still too young for the part. Ernst Lubitsch wanted the touch of experience in the actor face, so he chose the 42-year-old Herbert Marshall and 33-year-old Kay Francis who can supply that look.

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Trouble in Paradise (1932)