Starring Elissa Landi, Paul Lukas, Nils Asther, Dorothy Revier, Lawrence Grant
Directed by James Whale

Print: black/white
Runtime: 70 min.
Genre: comedy
Print Quality: B

After directing three of Universal's finest horror films, James Whale shifted gears with the
elegant romantic comedy By Candlelight. Though quite miscast, Paul Lukas successfully
conveys the role of Josef, ultra-dutiful valet to the libidinous Count Von Bommer (Nils
Asther). Falling in love with Marie (Elissa Landi), whom he assumes to be a countess, Josef
poses - quite convincingly - as his rakish master. The catch: Marie is herself a poseur, a
mere maidservant to Count and Countess Von Rischenheim (Lawrence Grant, Dorothy
Revier). Based on a play by Siegfried Geyer, By Candlelight is chock full of delightfully
double-entendre pre-Code dialogue and dextrous directorial touches.