Moment of Movie Wisdom: Romance After Marriage in ‘The Chocolate Soldier’ (1941)

Cropped poster for the American film "The Chocolate Soldier" (1941). Public Domain

Commentary

Why is it so easy to forget romance after marriage? Why do so many couples settle into the complacency of commitment and not seek to stimulate the love in their relationship? Emily Post, author of the 1922 book “Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home” used the term “grey flannel wrapper habit” to describe a housewife’s lack of care for her appearance around the house and cautioned women against it. It’s so easy to forget that the very reason you got married was because you’re in love and want to spend your lives together. Many classic films and television shows depict very romantic, loving married couples who succeed in keeping the sparks alive, but others serve as cautionary tales by showing the opposite.

Today’s moment of movie wisdom is from “The Chocolate Soldier” (1941). The scene takes place 18 minutes into the 101-minute film. A musical comedy star (Nelson Eddy) fears that he is losing his wife’s (Risë Stevens) affections after he catches her alone in her room one night, listening to a romantic opera aria, so his friend (Nigel Bruce) advises him to become the romantic leading man whom he thinks she desires.

The Story

Karl Lang (Eddy) and his wife, Maria Lanyi (Stevens), are married stars of the popular musical comedy “The Chocolate Soldier” in an unnamed Balkan country. Although they’ve only been married for six months, they fight constantly, even onstage through gritted teeth. Karl tells his best friend, music critic Bernard (Bruce), that he thinks Maria wants to leave him and return to opera, since she’s in search of more romance than he can offer.

Desperate to learn whether she truly loves him, Karl disguises himself as a dramatic Russian opera singer, Vassily Vassilievich, so that he can see how his wife will respond to an aggressive suitor. While Karl finds convenient excuses to be absent, Vassily tries to make his move with Maria, who seems very eager to entertain the Russian bass when her husband is out of town overnight. Little does Karl know that Maria has seen through his deception and is playing a little trick of her own.

The Scene

Karl is already concerned that Maria is bored with him after finding her alone in her bedroom in the dark, listening to the aria “Song to the Evening Star” from Richard Wagner’s “Tannhäuser.” Upon arriving home after a show, Karl hears Maria performing a heartfelt aria from the Camille Saint-Saens opera “Samson and Delilah” in the music room for a few guests. He tells Bernard, “You see?! If it isn’t Tannhäuser in the bedroom, it’s Samson in the drawing room!” He storms off to his room, convincing the reluctant Bernard to come alone and listen to his lamentation.

Karl insists that Maria is tired of him and that he’s lost her. Frustrated, Bernard tells him, “Now, see here, Karl; you love Maria, don’t you?” “Love her?” Karl replies incredulously. “I love her more than life itself!” “Then go to her tonight and tell her so,” Bernard advises him. “You can’t tell a woman too often! Be young, romantic, passionate! Be ... be Tannhäuser if you like!” “Say, that is an idea,” Karl says hopefully. After Bernard leaves, Karl plans to take his friend’s advice, donning a suave smoking jacket and aftershave. However, when he enters Maria’s room, he finds her playing “Evening Star” again and becomes enraged, saying that the song isn’t meant for him.

Poster for the American film "The Chocolate Soldier" (1941). Public Domain

Its Significance

The seemingly insignificant action of a wife singing along to an opera record is what sets this film’s elaborate plot in motion. It ignites Karl’s suspicions so keenly that he decides to take action. Rather than just being more romantic himself, which would be sensible, Karl chooses to romance his own wife disguised as a stranger! In the end, he only causes himself a lot of unnecessary pain and embarrassment through his elaborate deception. It’s so much easier to be jealous than to be romantic. Karl truly loves Maria, but when there’s even a suggestion of competition, he becomes enraged and ends up fighting with her when he should be wooing her.

Many couples fall into the trap of feeling too settled and taking each other for granted. Maria, for her part, feels that she must “keep him guessing” in order to hold onto Karl, since he is a popular star who is always surrounded by adoring female fans. While this keeps Karl from taking her for granted, Maria’s merciless teasing makes it nearly impossible for them to build any trust in their relationship. Karl lets his jealousy get the best of him, rather than just doing his best to keep their romance alive, but Maria is constantly egging him on. While they are truly in love, they seldom enjoy the loving moments of domesticity which should accompany marriage.

Love or Jealousy

When love enters the scene, jealousy usually does, as well. The overall message of “The Chocolate Soldier” is that honesty and trust truly are the best policy. Rather than wooing and romancing his wife himself, as is his right and duty, Karl chooses to stage his elaborate deception in order to prove her infidelity. Resenting her husband’s mistrust and attempts to fool her, Maria plays the part of a wandering wife very well. If Karl had simply taken his friend’s advice and been “Tannhäuser” himself, he could easily have brought the romance he so desires back to his marriage.

In the end, this story really proves that you shouldn’t let jealousy sap all the love from your relationship. If you feel the romance slipping, there’s nothing wrong with playing Prince Charming or the fair princess in your own home. Everyone likes to be reminded that he or she is loved and appreciated. This film is a wonderful example of a time when Hollywood glorified matrimony, reminding married couples to cherish their love for each other.