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Hanging is too good for Cellini...declared the Duchess, so she smothered him...in her arms!
The 16th-century sculptor woos the Duchess of Florence despite the duke.
CinemaSerf
Jul 19, 2025 · via TMDB
“I offer you love as you ask for cake! I prefer death to a cold woman!” That’s one of the many quotes from Florentine artist and Lothario Benvenuto Cellini (Fredric March) as he woos his way around the city in the style of Casanova or Don Juan. Unlike those gents, though, this one is also a talented sculptor and has attracted the attention of the Medici. The Duke (Frank Morgan) is sort of being manoeuvred by his Duchess (Constance Bennett) to find him work, but she has designs that don’t appear on his etchings. Whilst these two are playing a bit of cat and mouse, one of this artists former friends (Fay Wray) is being courted by a Duke who locks his wife into her suite of an evening ostensibly to protect her honour but more likely so he can play away himself! March delivers well enough but the plaudits really belong to Bennett and to Morgan who between them offer us a degree of frosty disdain as well as a slightly unexpected element of hapless but frequently quite dastardly mischief. It is a quality production with loads of attention to the detail, the writing allows everyone to have their moment in the sun and there is even a sospetto of swordplay amongst the lacy costumed finery. It’s not the best, but I like the genre and quite enjoyed this.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Constance Bennett
Duchess of Florence
Fredric March
Benvenuto Cellini
Frank Morgan
Alessandro, Duke of Florence
Fay Wray
Angela
Vince Barnett
Ascanio
Jessie Ralph
Beatrice
Louis Calhern
Ottaviano
Jay Eaton
Polverino
Paul Harvey
Emissary
Jack Rutherford
Captain of the Guards
Irene Ware
Daughter of the Royal House of Bocci
Lucille Ball
Lady-in-Waiting (uncredited)
Bonnie Bannon
Girl (uncredited)
Lionel Belmore
Court Member (uncredited)
Ward Bond
Palace Guard Finding Cellini's Clothes (uncredited)
Lane Chandler
Jailer (uncredited)
James Flavin
Palace Guard (uncredited)
Bess Flowers
Lady-in-Waiting (uncredited)
Theodore Lorch
Executioner (uncredited)
Russ Powell
Servant (uncredited)
Dewey Robinson
Steward (uncredited)
Constantine Romanoff
Executioner (uncredited)
Harry Wilson
Henchman (uncredited)
Charles Rosher
Director of Photography
Gregory La Cava
Director
Barbara McLean
Editor
Raymond Griffith
Associate Producer
Darryl F. Zanuck
Producer
Alfred Newman
Original Music Composer
Bess Meredyth
Screenplay
Edwin Justus Mayer
Theatre Play
Kunjali Marakkar
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The Sucker
The Public Enemy
The Sea Hawk
I'm Not Scared
The Taming of the Shrew
Smart Money
Enchanted April
Gun Smoke
The Bat Whispers
Mary Queen of Scots
Mr. Robinson Crusoe
Altweibersommer
Iron & Blood: The Legend of Taras Bulba
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Palooka
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Mister Roberts
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Bottle Shock
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Woman Times Seven
The Twelve Chairs
Made in Italy
Aug 24, 1934
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Giraffe Soup
2016
Huldra: Lady of the Forest
2016
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
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