Grant, Sidney in 1934 ‘Princess’

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s “Romantic Comedies” series continues today at 1 p.m. in Bing Theater with “Thirty-Day Princess” (1934), a typical example of pleasant Depression-era escapist froth. Adapted by Preston Sturges and Frank Partos from a Clarence Buddington Kelland novel, the film is too talky but the cast sparkles under Marion Gering’s direction. Even without a Lubitsch touch--or that of the later Sturges--the film is a polished studio (Paramount) entertainment.

Sylvia Sidney and Cary Grant are already accomplished star players even at this comparatively early date in their careers.

Sidney has an actress’ dream role, a dual part as Zizzi, a Graustarkian princess, and as struggling Broadway ingenue Nancy Lane who impersonates her on a crucial American tour when the princess is stricken with mumps. Naturally, Nancy hadn’t counted on falling for Grant’s handsome Manhattan newspaper publisher. It’s as much fun watching Sidney in this glamorous romantic part, a departure from her definitive wistful Depression heroines, as it is in the recent “Beetlejuice” in which she plays one of her rare comedy roles.

By now Grant had established his durable screen image of debonair ease--he could be pretty stiff in his earliest appearances--and very shortly he would graduate from leading man to full-fledged star. “Thirty-Day Princess” repeats Saturday after the 8 p.m. screening of “After the Thin Man.” Information: (213) 857-6010.