The Romantic Age (1949)
A mischievous schoolgirl turns romantic manipulation into an art form in this charming 1949 British comedy.
The Romantic Age - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Romantic Age
- Release Year: 1949
- Directed by: Edmond T. Gréville
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 29, 1949 (United Kingdom)
- Alternative Titles: Naughty Arlette (US)
- Production Companies: Pinnacle Productions, J. Arthur Rank Organisation
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Romantic Age - Plot
Arlette is a malicious schoolgirl who uses her feminine charms to attract, and then destroy, every man gullible enough to respond to her flirtations. She sets her cap for the art professor and very nearly does him in... but his loving wife and daughter help the deluded man escape the seductive mantrap.
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The Romantic Age - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Edmond T. Gréville
Main Cast
- Hugh Williams
- Mai Zetterling
- Petula Clark
- Margot Grahame
- Carol Marsh
- Raymond Lovell
- Paul Dupuis
- Margaret Barton
- Marie Ney
- Jean Anderson
Writers
- Edward Dryhurst
- Peggy Barwell
Producers
- Edward Dryhurst
- Eric L'Epine Smith
The Romantic Age - FAQs
What is The Romantic Age about?
The Romantic Age follows Arlette, a cunning schoolgirl who weaponizes her charm to seduce and humiliate any man foolish enough to fall for her. When she targets a hapless art professor, his devoted wife and daughter must rally together to rescue him from her calculated romantic trap.
Is Arlette the villain or the heroine of the film?
Arlette is delightfully ambiguous — she's the mischief-maker at the heart of the story rather than a conventional heroine. Mai Zetterling plays her with a wicked sparkle, making her both the source of chaos and the most compelling presence on screen throughout the film.
Who are the main actors in The Romantic Age?
The film stars Hugh Williams as the hapless art professor Arnold Dickson, Mai Zetterling as the scheming Arlette, and a young Petula Clark as his daughter Julie. Margot Grahame, Carol Marsh, Raymond Lovell, and Paul Dupuis round out the strong supporting ensemble.
What is The Romantic Age's alternative title?
The film was released in the United States under the title Naughty Arlette — a name that puts the mischievous schoolgirl front and centre. The alternative title gives a clearer hint at the film's playful, slightly scandalous tone compared to the more wistful British original.
Who directed The Romantic Age?
The film was directed by Edmond T. Gréville, a French-born filmmaker known for his work across British and European cinema. Gréville brought a continental sensibility to this British comedy, which suits the story's flirtatious, slightly subversive spirit perfectly.
What are some movies similar to The Romantic Age?
If you enjoy The Romantic Age, you might also like The Trouble with Angels (1966), Much Ado About Nothing (2013), or The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967). These films share a similarly playful, comedic spirit with colourful characters and a light touch on romantic mischief.
Was Petula Clark already famous when she made this film?
Petula Clark was already a well-known child star in Britain by 1949, having built her reputation through wartime radio broadcasts and earlier film appearances. Her role as Julie Dickson in The Romantic Age came during this early phase of a career that would eventually span decades.
Where was The Romantic Age produced?
The Romantic Age is a British production made by Pinnacle Productions in association with the J. Arthur Rank Organisation, one of the most powerful forces in British cinema at the time. It was shot in the United Kingdom and released in November 1949.
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