Rama Rao Ramon Novarro, in his last film as MGM actor, worked with British actress Evelyn Laye who interrupted her long stage career in London to star in this 1934 movie. The story is about the schmaltzy romance between an archduke (Novarro) and a ballerina (Laye) that falls flat. The movie produced two hit songs "when I grow too old to dream," and the title number. The Film uses the talents of Sigmund Romberg for music and Oscar Hammerstein II (libretto) but never captured the musical zest of producer Harry Rapf's Broadway Melody (1929). Rosalind Russell, Charles Butterworth, Edward Everett Horton, Donald Cook and Una Merkel show their comedic talents in this otherwise boring movie.

MartinHafer It takes a special sort of person to enjoy this film--a person who likes ultra-sappy operetta music. So, if you think that Janette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy films are the greatest things EVER, then you'll no doubt enjoy "The Night is Young"--even though neither of these stars are in the film. However, I do not, as I happen to be sane!! Sure, a few of the songs (the ones without the opera-like singing) are cute, but for the most part, when Evelyn Laye sings, I felt like screaming. It's amazing that such high-pitched caterwauling was popular in the 1930s and 40s, but today you'd be very, very hard-pressed to find anyone who'd like this sort of 'singing'. Oddly, however, Charles Butterworth of all people sang quite a bit in the film--even though he's certainly not a singer with his thin voice. But despite this, he was a delight throughout the film--even when he sang.The story is likely inspired by a sad true-life story. Back in the late 19th century, Crown Prince Rudolf of the Austria-Hungarian empire fell for a woman of not especially noble birth. His father (Emperor Franz Josef) forbade the romance--as love has nothing to do with marriage! Franz Josef's own marriage was a loveless disaster and by gum, so would Rudolf's--marriages were simply ways of forging political alliances...period. So, in a very tragic turn, it appears that Rudolf killed his lover and then himself! None of this is alluded to in the film. Instead, Franz Josef has ANOTHER son (something he did not have in real life) and this one also falls for a commoner--but with non-tragic results.The perennial lover of the 20s and 30s, Ramon Novarro, plays the handsome Prince. While he was always very good in such roles, it seemed weird that this guy had a strong Mexican accent. Laye (a really, really bad name for an actress) plays the commoner who ADORES singing. As for Una Merkel and Butterworth, they were welcome as comic relief. Oddly, however, the usually wonderful Edward Everett Horton (one of the best comic supporting actors of his age) was mostly wasted and had little opportunity to play his usual lovable befuddled self.Overall, the film had quite a few cute moments and the romance wasn't bad, but the singing had the effect of derailing the film. Too old fashioned and too schmaltzy, this film could have been lovely, but is simply not worth your time unless you are a die-hard Butterworth fan!

JohnKyle I decided to watch this movie on TCM only because I enjoy Una Merkel and had never seen Ramon Novarro in a "talkie". Other than that,I was expecting a soon-to-be-forgotten piece of fluff. Instead, I discovered a beautifully done film which combined music, romance, and comedy with a bittersweet dramatic ending.As noted by others, Novarro was excellent, Merkel was delightful, and the supporting cast of Charles Butterworth, Edward Everett Horton, Herman Bing, and Henry Stephenson all gave strong performances. But, the accolades belong to Evelyn Laye as the woman who steals Novarro's heart. Like a few of the other reviewers, I, too, had never heard of Ms Laye although I have since learned that she was a big stage star in England before and after this movie. And, it's easy to see why. She was beautiful, charming,had a fine singing voice, and was a talented actress.Similar in theme to Old Heidelberg, The Student Prince, and even Erich von Stroheim's The Wedding March, The Night Is Young has a charm of its own. It does not deserve to be forgotten.

preppy-3 Ramon Novarro (in his last MGM movie) stars as a prince who falls in love with someone beneath his station--the lovely Lisl (Evelyn Laye). Meanwhile he's being forced into marriage with a horrid woman (Rosalind Russell!!!). What will he do?Lavish musical comedy romance shot in beautiful black and white. By the time this was made, Novarro knew his career at MGM was over. He was a gay man who refused to marry so MGM did not renew his contract when it expired. What's surprising is they went all out to give and gave him a really great film as a sendoff.The budget was obviously huge--some of the sets are really impressive. The script is very good with some truly beautiful songs interwoven (I loved it when people just slipped from talking to singing). The whole cast is good-there's not one bad performance. Evelyn Laye is beautiful and has a wonderful voice--one hell of an actress too. Edward Everett Horton as a prissy palace official is quite funny--just his facial looks had me chuckling. And a very young Rosalind Russell is interesting. Best of all is Novarro--Incredibly handsome with a beautiful smile and voice and also a very good actor. It's really a shame that homophobia ruined his career.The picture has a very romantic feel to it and Laye and Novarro had some serious sexual chemistry between them. I'm only giving this an 8 because of the ending. It's realistic but I didn't like it--it threw the whole film off kilter. Still, this is a real treat worth seeing.This was a HUGE box office bomb when it came out and has disappeared over the years (even Leonard Maltin doesn't have it in his book). Now that TCM is showing it let's hope it gets the recognition it deserves.