Miss Europe (1930)

Miss Europe Poster
Original Title: Prix de beauté

Lucienne, typist and gorgeous bathing beauty, decides to enter the 'Miss Europe' pageant sponsored by the French newspaper she works for. She finds her jealous lover Andre violently disapproves of such events and tries to withdraw, but it's too late; she's even then being named Miss France. The night Andre planned to propose to her, she's being whisked off to the Miss Europe finals in Spain, where admirers swarm around her. Win or lose, what will the harvest be?

Film Overview
"Miss Europe", also referred to as "Prix de Beauté", is a captivating 1930 French dramatic film directed by the popular director Augusto Genina and produced by Bernard Natan and Emile Natan. The film was based upon a script penned by René Clair, G. W. Pabst, and Bernard Zimmer. Made throughout the advent of sound in movie theater, there exist both quiet and sound variations of the movie. The narrative unfolds the tale of a lady whose life gets considerably changed after she remarkably wins a beauty contest.

Plot Summary
Lucienne, powerfully played by Louise Brooks, is a young typist living in Paris and in a rather turbulent relationship with her envious fiancé, André (Georges Charlia). When André leaves town for a few days, Lucienne decides to enter the "Miss Europe" beauty pageant without his understanding with the aid of her buddy, Antoinette (Alexandra Danilova). Lucienne ends up winning the contest, an achievement that propels her into a world of popularity and fortune, but likewise one that challenges her love life and individual complete satisfaction.

Lucienne ends up being an overnight feeling as she is declared the most stunning woman in Europe. Her newfound prosperity allows her to lead a life of glamour and high-end that was formerly beyond her reach, quick becoming a silver screen sensation.

Dispute and Resolution
While Lucienne relishes her popularity, André, who returns to discover his girl love as a popular figure, is not delighted about her achievement. He struggles to accept this unexpected change and the modifications it brings. His animosity magnifies with Lucienne's unexpected career in the film market that her fame secures for her. Tension emerges between the couple because André can not handle his girlfriend's celeb status and the audience attention she tends to draw in.

Awful circumstances ensue when an ardent fan of Lucienne, Prince Raviapoulos (Georges Tritar), wanting to seduce her, welcomes her to his private space. André, consumed by jealousy and aggravation, shoots the prince and Lucienne, resulting in the prince's death and Lucienne's fatal injury. Despite the awful scenario, Lucienne seems to find redemption in death as she watches her own efficiency in a movie, her life blissfully ending with the illusionary magic of cinema.

Impact and Legacy
Miss Europe, carefully directed by Augusto Genina, paints a mesmerizing tale of charm, love, ambition, popularity, and the cost it demands. It successfully exploits the skill and appeal of Louise Brooks, cementing her position as a leading actress of the early talkies age. The film provides important commentary on the social perception of appeal and the challenges dealt with by ladies whose professions position them in the public eye.

Overall, with its engaging plot, effective performances, striking visuals, and strong narrative framework, "Miss Europe" has actually earned its location as a significant film not just in the annals of French cinema however also in the more comprehensive scheme of international film history.

Top Cast

  • Louise Brooks (small)
    Louise Brooks
    Lucienne
  • Georges Charlia
    André
  • Augusto Bandini (small)
    Augusto Bandini
    Antonin (as H. Bandini)
  • André Nicolle (small)
    André Nicolle
    Le secrétaire du journal (as A. Nicolle)
  • Alex Bernard
    Le photographe
  • Gaston Jacquet
    Le Duc
  • Jean Bradin
    Prince de Grabovsky
  • Henri Crémieux (small)
    Henri Crémieux
  • Marc Ziboulsky
    Le manager (as M. Ziboulsky)
  • Yves Glad
    Le maharajah