Director
Douglas Sirk's love of cinematic esoterica was kept in check in the musical comedy Slightly French.
Dorothy Lamour stars as Mary O'Leary, a carnival entertainer who's discovered by enterprising director John Gayle (
Don Ameche). The plot dictates that Gayle must pass off Mary as an elegant Parisian actress/singer. This slender plotline enables the film to toss off a number of satirical quips about show biz, and to display Lamour in a variety of exotic costumes. The best musical numbers occur during an extended film-within-a-film sequence. Slightly French is buoyed by its expert supporting cast, including
Janis Carter,
Willard Parker and
Adele Jergens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide