This first film made in America by French master René Clair impressed neither critics nor audiences when it was released in 1941, but its reputation has improved over the years, and the fine transfer on King Lorber’s Blu-ray reveals it as a charming, though somewhat silly, period romantic comedy, into which a few musical numbers have been inserted. (A DVD, released by Universal in 2015, is still available, with a list price of $14.99.) Marlene Dietrich, wearing an assortment of extravagant gowns, stars as Claire Ledux, whose wedding dress is, as shown in a prologue, found floating in the Mississippi the morning after the ceremony. The script by Norman Krasna then flashes back to Claire’s arrival in New Orleans, where the notorious European femme fatale quickly sets her mercenary sights on rich banker Charles Giraud (Roland Young). He is immediately besotted when she catches his eye with a phony fainting spell at the opera, but during a carriage ride through the park—where, her devoted maid Clementine (Theresa Harris) has forewarned her, Giraud intends to prove his devotion by rescuing her from a fake assault—she is accosted by Robert Latour (Bruce Cabot), a rugged ship’s captain with a pet monkey and acrobatic skills. Giraud says that he is determined to punish Latour for insulting his intended fiancée, and when Claire points him out at a Mardi Gras celebration, challenges him to a duel. She then retracts the identification and takes up with Latour while continuing to lead Giraud on. But when both men become suspicious of her checkered past, Claire invents a look-alike, a cousin named Lili, whom she blames for all the scandalous acts she is accused of. Naturally the imposture is eventually unmasked, and at her elaborate wedding to Giraud she must decide where her heart really lies. This is, of course, a ridiculous fairy tale, but it is beautifully appointed, with lovely art direction by Jack Otterson and costumes by René Hubert, as well as a lush score from Frank Skinner and lustrous cinematography by Rudolph Maté. Clair directs with a light touch, bringing out the best not only from his stars but from a strong supporting cast that includes Mischa Auer, Andy Devine and Franklin Pangborn. While not one of the director’s classics, The Flame of New Orleans does not deserve the obscurity into which it has fallen. As extras the disc includes trailers for the film and seven other Kino Lorber releases, as well as an audio commentary by film historians Lee Gambin and Rutanya Alda. Recommended.