Café Metropole

Café Metropole

Year: 1937

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: Edward H. Griffith

DramaComedy

The “LOVE IS NEWS” SWEETHEARTS play love’s most exciting game! An American posing as a Russian prince woos a visiting Ohio heiress.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Café Metropole (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Café Metropole (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1937

Set in 1937 Paris, on the cusp of global upheaval, the story focuses on a glamorous cafe where fortunes can be won or lost in a single baccarat hand. The era's opulence is juxtaposed with the fragility of reputations and the ease with which deception can be dressed as romance. The late-night setting amplifies the tension as plans unfold.

Location

Paris, Café Metropole

Café Metropole sits in the heart of Paris' social orbit, a luxe venue where witty conversations and risky bets mingle with fine wine. The venue becomes the stage for Victor's schemes and the social games that drive the plot. Its elegant interiors reflect the wealth and influence of the patrons who frequent it.

🏙️ City ☕ Café 💎 Elite social scene

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:53

Main Characters – Café Metropole (1937)

Meet the key characters of Café Metropole (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Victor Lobard

Owner of Café Metropole and a calculating schemer who uses debt, double-dealing, and social leverage to maneuver money from others. He orchestrates Alexis Paneiev's impersonation to access Laura Ridgeway's fortune and binds Ridgeway, Monnet, and others to his scheme. The plan hinges on bluffing, gambling, and timing, but it unravels when the truth finally surfaces.

💼 Schemer 🎭 Deception 💰 Power-seeker

Alexis Paneiev (Tyrone Power)

A penniless man named Alexander Brown who impersonates a Russian nobleman to romance Laura Ridgeway and extract money. He falls genuinely for Laura yet struggles with the lie, choosing between an honest life and the profitable deception. His double identity drives the central romantic conflict of the story.

🎭 Impostor 💘 Romance 🧭 Deception

Laura Ridgeway

Heiress and daughter of Joseph Ridgeway, she is drawn to Alexis Paneiev and becomes entangled in the Café Metropole’s schemes. She is perceptive and driven by love, determined to uncover the truth even as she navigates the social pressures of her world.

💖 Romance 🕵️‍♀️ Mystery 🏛️ Elite society

Joseph Ridgeway

Laura’s father, a longtime friend of Victor, who becomes entangled in the plan. He is duped by the apparent romance and later faces accusations and arrest as part of the ruse, highlighting the collateral damage of Victor's manipulation.

💼 Authority 🕊️ Justice 🧭 Deception

Maxl Schinner

Victor's lender who provided the initial loan that funds the scheme. He becomes a key facilitator, complicit in the manipulation of prices, contracts, and social leverage to ensure Victor's plans stay afloat, until the scheme starts to crack.

💶 Money lender 🧠 Planner 🎭 Trickster

Monsieur Leon Monnet

Victor's lawyer and the man who handles the contract that would prise money from Laura's father. Monnet represents the legal machinery behind Victor's manipulation, enabling the scheme to appear legitimate while masking deceit.

⚖️ Lawyer 🧩 Negotiator 💼 Power broker

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:53

Major Themes – Café Metropole (1937)

Explore the central themes of Café Metropole (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Deception

Impersonations, lies, and misdirection drive the plot as Victor engineers a counterfeit romance and fake nobility to extract cash. Characters trade secrets and false identities, with the line between reality and performance blurring at the Metropole's tables. The narrative keeps truth and manipulation in constant tension as plans spiral out of control.

💰 Money & Power

Victor's scheme hinges on debt, contracts, and control of Laura's fortune through cunning negotiation and legal tricks. The refined environment amplifies the lure of wealth and status, turning social grace into a tool for manipulation. Every wager tests who truly wields influence, exposing the fragility of privilege when money can buy access but not conscience.

💘 Romance & Truth

Alexander Brown falls for Laura while posing as Alexis Paneiev, creating a romance built on deception. Laura's affection is tested by the impostor's lies, yet her desire for genuine connection challenges the ruse. The story shows that honesty is the only path to lasting trust, and the truth ultimately redirects the lovers toward a honest future.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:53

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Unlock the Full Story of Café Metropole

Don't stop at just watching — explore Café Metropole in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Café Metropole is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Café Metropole Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Café Metropole, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Café Metropole Summary

Café Metropole Timeline

Track the full timeline of Café Metropole with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Café Metropole Timeline

More About Café Metropole

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More About Café Metropole

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Café Metropole (1937) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Café Metropole (1937) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Café Metropole (1937) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow