The Firefly is a 1937 American historicalmusical film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and starring Jeanette MacDonald, Allan Jones and Warren William. The film is an adaptation of the operetta of the same name by composer Rudolf Friml and librettist Otto A. Harbach that premiered on Broadway in 1912. The film used nearly all of the music from the operetta but jettisoned the plot in favor of a new storyline set in Spain during the time of the Emperor Napoleon I. It added a new song, "The Donkey Serenade" (a reworking by Herbert Stothart of Friml's 1918 orchestral piece 'Chanson'[3]), which became extremely popular, as was one of the Friml songs, "Giannina Mia". The original release prints of the film were elaborately tinted with Sepia-Blue, Sepia-Orange and Sepia-Blue-Pink.[4]
During the Peninsular War, secret agent Nina Maria Azara works undercover for Spanish King Ferdinand VII as a singer known as the "Firefly."[5] She is much admired by French soldiers ("Danse Jeanette"), her unwitting sources of intelligence. During a performance ("Life is like a Firefly"), Nina Maria flirts with "Don Diego," who―unknown to her―is actually Captain Andre of French Intelligence. In return, he sings a tribute to her ("A Woman’s Kiss").
Jeanette MacDonald and Allan Jones as Nina Maria and Captain Andre/Don Diego.Jeanette MacDonald and Allan Jones backstage on the set of The Firefly.
To her intelligence chief, the Marqués de Melito, Nina Maria reports that Napoleon is sending 30,000 more troops against the Allies. Alarmed, Melito orders her to determine whether King Ferdinand's Bayonne meeting to discuss terms with Napoleon is a trap.
On her way to Vitoria, Nina Maria is followed by "Don Diego," who expresses ardent admiration. While she discourages the unwanted escort, he serenades her mule instead ("The Donkey Serenade"), amusing her.
At the Vitoria inn, a contact instructs that a vendor in the Bayonne market will provide carrier pigeons upon hearing a password. "Don Diego," presents himself during her dinner, arranging for musicians to entertain her ("Ojos Rojos"). Andre charms her by pretend-romancing her in Venice ("Giannina Mia"); nevertheless, she instructs him away to await her in Madrid.
In Bayonne, Nina Maria entertains French troops ("He Who Loves and Runs Away") when she sees the persistent Andre and Colonel de Rouchemont arrive independently. Rouchemont, Napoleon’s aide, asks her to dinner at the chateau.
Nina Maria receives two carrier pigeons from her contact. "Don Diego" asks why a Spaniard is so friendly with the French. Her locket holds portraits of her parents, killed when the French invaded Spain 20 years before, but she replies it was long ago ("Sympathy").
When Andre asks Nina Maria whether she loves him, she replies that she does. Trumpets announce Napoleon’s arrival, and she says she must keep an appointment. Andre urges her not to go with Rouchemont; she gives him her locket as a love token. Nina Maria goes to the chateau ("When a Maid Comes Knocking at Your Heart"), where she sees Rouchemont’s papers revealing that the Spanish king is being lured to France to be arrested.
Noticing by their markings that the carrier pigeons have been substituted for French-trained ones, she realizes she is suspected as a spy. She suspects "Don Diego" might be a counterspy, particularly upon learning that the pigeon vendor has been arrested.
While the French Intelligence Chief listens, concealed in a closet, Nina Maria asks "Don Diego" to take a message to Vitoria. The Chief reveals the identity of Captain Andre, who first suspected her as an agent. Upon opening her message, however, they find a dinner order. Her test deftly avoided the trap, giving them no proof against her. As she departs France, Andre returns her locket, regrets his betrayal, and affirms that he loves her. She spurns him for being French.
Ferdinand VII abdicates, and Joseph Bonaparte rules as king of Spain as five years pass. French troops outnumber the Allies 80,000 to 50,000 and a strategic advantage is needed ("English March"). Undercover, Nina Maria again entertains French soldiers ("Capriccio Espagnol" Asturian folk dance origins). When Rouchemont sends for her, she claims the Spanish ostracized her for being a French sympathizer. While arranging a change of clothes for her, he catches her taking papers out of the lining of her ragged coat. The papers contain an accurate map of the French lines with code asking for verification. Andre, surprised to see Nina Maria, informs Rouchemont that the code indicates an attack in 5 hours. Rouchemont orders their entire formation changed, and the French send a deceptive message via Allied pigeons verifying the former positions.
Visiting Nina Maria in prison, Andre declares his love for her. As the Battle of Vitoria begins, she admits she was caught intentionally so the French would change their impregnable defensive positions, thus enabling Wellington and the Allies to win. During the battle, Andre is wounded severely ("I Love You Don Diego"/"Para la Salud"). Nina Maria is rescued by Melito, who announces the French have retreated and the war is over. Nina Maria finds Andre among the hospital wounded; on his recovery, they set out joyfully for a life together ("Finale").
Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach, Bob Wright & Chet Forrest
Sung by Jeanette MacDonald
ENGLISH MARCH
Sung by Chorus
I LOVE YOU DON DIEGO
Music by Rudolf Friml
Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
Sung by Jeanette MacDonald
PARA LA SALUD
Arranged by Herbert Stothart
Danced by Jeanette MacDonald
THE DONKEY SERENADE
Music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart
Lyrics by Bob Wright and Chet Forrest
Sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Allan Jones
FINALE: "GIANNINA MIA"
Music by Rudolf Friml
Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
Sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Allan Jones
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References
1 2 3 The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
1 2 3 Turk Edward Baron "Hollywood Diva: A Biography of Jeanette MacDonald (University of California Press, 1998)"
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