Lola Montès (1955)

Peter Ustinov: Circus Master

Photos 

Quotes 

• Circus Master : Wanting to make a name for herself, Lola understood that keeping a good reputation was out of the question. Rumors, scandals, passion - that's what she chose in order to create a sensation.

• Circus Master : In Turkey, at the Sultan's request, she bathed in the nude. The guests were delighted, and so were the fish.

• [first lines] 

  Circus Master : And now, Mesdames et Messieurs, the moment you've all been waiting for. The most sensational act of the century. Entertainment, emotion, action, history. Mesdames et Messieurs, Ladies and Gentlemen, meine Damen und Herren, a creature a hundred times more murderous than any beast in our menagerie. A bloodthirsty monster with the eyes of an angel. Ravaged hearts, squandered fortunes, the saraband of lovers, scepters, crowns, an authentic revolution.

  Female Circus Jugglers : Authentic!

  Circus Master : Passion and glory, passion et gloire. Triumph and downfall.

  Female Circus Jugglers : Downfall!

  Circus Master : Lola Montès, Countess Maria Dolores of Landsfeld. In the very flesh!

• French Ambassador : For the women - twelve perfections. It's Lola that he created. Twelve perfect things, count them with us. Listen to the song.

  [singing] 

  French Ambassador : Three sweet ones, The heart, the wrists and the hand...

  French Ambassador , Circus Master : [singing]  Three mad ones, The eyes, the hair, the feet, Three soft ones, The arms, the ears and the nose, Three curved ones, The shoulder, the mouth and the breasts, You give your body, but you keep your soul, Men damn themselves, to offer you treasurers, Your look is so tender, and your knee so white, When you dance and you waltz, passing so near us.

• Circus Master : We'll show everything that women dream of doing, but lack the courage to do.

• Circus Master : The painter takes his time. He doesn't like her dress. He doesn't like her gloves. One day he asks her if she dares pose for him - all in pink. She dares! And the king, enraptured by her pose, offers her a palace!