Devil-May-Care 1929
"See Novarro fight and make love, hear him speak and sing the melodies the whole world will be humming!"
In *Devil-May-Care* (1929), silent-screen star Ramon Novarro takes center stage in this romantic escapade directed by Sidney Franklin, blending swashbuckling adventure with dashing charm.
Director: Sidney Franklin
Cast
Ramon Novarro
Armand de Treville
Dorothy Jordan
Leonie de Beaufort
Marion Harris
Countess Louise
John Miljan
Lucien DeGrignon
William Humphrey
Napoleon Bonaparte
George Davis
Groom
Clifford Bruce
Gaston
Lionel Belmore
Innkeeper (uncredited)
John Carroll
Bonapartist (uncredited)
George Chandler
Timid Royalist (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Devil-May-Care (1929) about?
The film follows a Napoleonic officer who escapes execution and finds himself hiding in a woman's home—where he's mistaken for a butler. Stranded in high society, he navigates romance, disguise, and a series of unexpected twists with charm and wit.
Who directed Devil-May-Care?
Sidney Franklin directed *Devil-May-Care*. Known for blending emotional depth with visual storytelling, Franklin crafted a film that bridges the silent and talkie eras with flair.
Who stars in Devil-May-Care?
The film features Ramon Novarro, Dorothy Jordan, Marion Harris, John Miljan, and William Humphrey in key roles.
Is Devil-May-Care (1929) worth watching?
For fans of early talkies and swashbuckling romances, *Devil-May-Care* is a charming time capsule. Novarro's star power and the film's playful tone make it a curious watch, though its historical appeal may outshine modern expectations.
How long is Devil-May-Care?
The runtime for *Devil-May-Care* is 97 minutes.
About Devil-May-Care (1929) — Ramon Novarro's Daring Romantic Comedy in Early Talkies
In *Devil-May-Care* (1929), silent-screen star Ramon Novarro takes center stage in this romantic escapade directed by Sidney Franklin, blending swashbuckling adventure with dashing charm. The story follows a Napoleonic officer narrowly escaping execution, only to wind up tangled in a web of romance and mistaken identity behind the doors of a fashionable grand dame's home—where he's hired as a butler wearing nothing but his wits and a devil-may-care grin. Shot during the dawn of talkies, the film captures the electric transition from silent drama to vocal melody, as Novarro not only fights but sings, crooning melodies destined to sweep the nation. Franklin's direction infuses the proceedings with a playful, fast-paced rhythm, balancing wit and warmth against a backdrop of lavish early-20th-century opulence.
This unlikely mix of espionage, mistaken roles, and romantic entanglement feels like a love letter to the golden age of Hollywood—a time when danger and dazzle danced hand in hand on celluloid. Novarro's effortless charisma anchors the narrative, while Dorothy Jordan and Marion Harris add layers of sophistication and intrigue to the ensemble. With its breezy tone and surprising twists, *Devil-May-Care* (1929) stands as a delightful relic of pre-Code cinema, offering both a snapshot of a pivotal era and a timeless tale of resilience and romance.
