Scaramouche (1952)

This delightful chocolate box wrapped in gold foil pits a hunky nare-do-well André Morea (Stewart Granger) against a dazzling sadistic nobleman Marquis de Maynes (Mel Ferrer), a favorite of Mary Antoinette (played cattily by Nina Foch) and the deadliest rapier in all of France. After his best friend succombs to the Marquis’ blade, Andre becomes serious and vows to learn swordplay (in about 30 minutes) so he can beat the Marquis in his own game. Throw in two incredible beauties: Janet Leigh as a sugar-pure aristocrat and Eleanor Parker as the wildcat redhead, vividly costumed against exquisite storybook scenery, tack on a La Ronde of interlocking subplots that take the characters from the theater to the palace, then add the longest sword fight scene in movie history…. Scaramouche!