Idiot's Delight (1939)

In the intriguing drama of "Idiot's Delight" (1939), Harry Van, a charming ladies' man, sees his promising pre-war performing career derailed by the Great War. Post-war, he finds himself entangled in a farcical mind-reading act with the often inebriated Madame Zuleika, a situation which proves to be an upgrade for a young acrobat named Irene, who shares the same one-week vaudeville bill in Omaha. Irene, drawn to Harry, is equally bewitched by dreams of exotic wealth and fame. She regales Harry with fanciful tales of her past, which he intuitively discerns as fabrications. Yet, their fleeting romance is tinged with the promise of something more. Fast forward twenty years, and Harry is weaving his way through Europe with his latest spectacle, a song and dance troupe dubbed 'Harry Van and Les Blondes'. Their journey is abruptly halted at the Swiss border due to the impending threat of another great war, forcing them to seek refuge in a mountaintop hotel. This sanctuary is shared by an eclectic ensemble of guests, including a wealthy munitions dealer, Achille Weber, and his enchanting Russian socialite companion, whose striking resemblance to Irene cannot be ignored. Harry is convinced that the mysterious woman is indeed Irene, as her background mirrors the invented stories and dreams she once shared. Yet, she denies any past with Harry, creating a perplexing puzzle. As war becomes an inevitable reality, actions unfolding within the confines of the hotel could reveal whether the enigmatic woman is his long-lost Irene and what fate has in store for her. From the vaudeville stages of Omaha to the looming shadows of the Swiss Alps, "Idiot's Delight" (1939) is a captivating journey through love, dreams, and the harsh realities of war. It's a story that keeps the audience guessing till the end, wrapped in a multi-layered narrative that stands testament to the unpredictability of life.

Idiot's Delight is a comedy movie featuring Norma Shearer and directed by Clarence Brown.

It is possible to buy Idiot's Delight on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.