Idol of Paris

Idol of Paris is a 1948 film based on the novel Paiva, Queen of Love by Alfred Schirokauer, about a mid-19th century French courtesan Theresa who sleeps her way from poverty to the top of Second Empire society. It was an attempt by its makers to imitate the success of the Gainsborough melodramas.

Plot
In the 1860s, a woman rises from poverty to become the toast of Paris.

Cast

 * Beryl Baxter – Theresa
 * Michael Rennie – Hertz, one of Theresa's lovers
 * Christine Norden – Cora Pearl
 * Miles Malleson – Offenbach
 * Andrew Osborn – Antoine
 * Andrew Cruickshank – Prince Nicholas
 * Kenneth Kent – Emperor Napoleon
 * Margaretta Scott – Empress Eugenie
 * Patti Morgan – Bellanger
 * Genine Graham – Barucci
 * Henry Oscar – Lachman
 * Sybille Binder – Mrs. Lachman
 * Leslie Perrins – Count Paiva
 * Campbell Cotts – George Tremer Sr.
 * John Penrose – George Cremer Jr.
 * April Stride as Countess de Molney
 * Donald Gray as Police Inspector
 * June Holden as Marie
 * Frederick Bradshaw as Chamberlain
 * Marianne Stone as Theresa's Secretary

Production
The film was produced by Maurice Ostrer who moved into independent production after leaving Gainsborough Pictures. He set up his own company, Premier Productions, and made the film in association with R. J. Minney and Leslie Arliss who had all collaborated on The Wicked Lady.

Filing started in August 1947. It was shot at MGM's British studios.

The cast includes Australian Patti Morgan, who Ostrer put under a seven-year contract.

Critical
Reviews were very bad.

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote that "the film is over-exaggerated in every detail and will appeal only to the very unsophisticated."

Variety said Ostrer "forgot that recent successful mellers leaned on stars for clicks with this 'first independent production. He boasts that the team that made his "Wicked Lady" has turned out this picture, but he has no James Mason and no Margaret Lockwood to carry the burden of an ill- written, corny script., Instead, he has comparative newcomers, who unfortunately do not merit leads in an ambitious picture. Its boxoffice prospects are dim. It would be a waste to export it to America."

Box office
The movie was not a financial success and led to Maurice Ostrer quitting the film business for good. He cancelled plans to make a film Wild Marriage and dropped eight artists who he had under contract.

The careers of Leslie Arliss and Beryl Baxter never recovered either.