The Theater: Old Play in Manhattan, Apr. 22, 1957

Hotel Paradiso, written 71 years ago by the once-famous and prolific Georges Feydeau with the collaboration of Maurice Desvallieres, is exceedingly standard and exceedingly French French farce. This means sex first, but not in the long run foremost. In such goings-on, slapstick and speed become a good deal more important than spice. The bed is only a prop; the actual objective is bedlam.

In Hotel Paradiso Bert Lahr is married to a battle-ax, and somehow gets out from under her thumb to seek sin with a beautiful blonde lady. In due course, for one...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!