A Night at the Ritz is a 1935 American comedy film directed by William C. McGann and starring William Gargan, Patricia Ellis and Allen Jenkins. The art direction was by Esdras Hartley. The film is of interest because the storyline, involving a con artist trying to profit off an impersonation, somewhat anticipates the more-famous Nothing Sacred two years later.
Plot
Leopold Jaynos dreams of becoming a famous chef, despite the fact that he can't cook a whit. Fast-talking press agent Duke Regan, who's dating his sister Marcia, comes up with a scheme: He goes to the Ritz Hotel and tells manager Vincent that a world-famous Hungarian chef is coming to visit and to roll out the red carpet for him and his entourage (meaning Regan and sidekick Gyp). Vincent happily agrees, but with his own job on the line, begs Regan to get Leopold to become the new chef for the hotel. Problem: Regan doesn't know that Leopold can't really cook—those delicious meals he had at the Jaynos home were actually cooked by their mother.
Cast
William Gargan as Duke Regan
Patricia Ellis as Marcia Jaynos
Allen Jenkins as Gyp Beagle
Dorothy Tree as Kiki Lorraine
Erik Rhodes as Leopold Jaynos
Berton Churchill as Stephen Vincent
Gordon Westcott as Joe Scurvin
Bodil Rosing as Mama Jaynos
Arthur Hoyt as Mr. Hassler
Paul Porcasi as Henri
William B. Davidson as Connolly, an Editor
Mary Treen as Isabelle, Hassler's Secretary
Mary Russell as Miss Barry, Vincent's Secretary
References
Bibliography
Christine Gledhill. Stardom: Industry of Desire. Psychology Press, 1991.