Universal, 1941
Starring Deanna Durbin, Robert Cummings, Charles Laughton, and Guy Kibbee
Directed by Henry Koster
Music and Lyrics by various
First Love was not the last time Durbin played a modern Cinderella. This one started life as a comedy named Almost an Angel, intended for a series of European actresses. When that wasn't made, they reworked it as a semi-musical romantic comedy for Durbin and character actor Laughton. How does that look today? Let's start on a rainy day, just as millionaire Jonathan Reynolds (Laughton) is on his deathbed, and find out...
The Story: Reynolds' dying wish is to get to know his son Johnny's (Cummings) future wife. Trouble is, Johnny's fiancee Gloria (Margaret Talichet) just left their hotel with her mother (Catherine Doucet). Desperate, Johnny grabs the first girl on the street he finds to play his fiancee for his father. The girl is Anne Terry (Durbin), an aspiring opera singer who is on the verge of leaving New York. Her kind manner so pleases Jonathan, he actually recovers and wants to see Anne again. Johnny has to retrieve her from the train station and convince her to keep playing his fiancee until the real one comes back.
It works too well. Jonathan adores Anne and her beautiful voice. Anne, who wants to be introduced to Jonathan's contacts in the opera world, insists on holding a party. Johnny sees this as an opportunity to introduce his real fiancee and tries to stage a break-up with Anne, but she comes back, claiming she forgives him. Johnny's fiancee and her mother aren't amused, and neither is Johnny. Jonathan, however, is feeling fine now, and he's ready to hit the nightclubs. His son's shocked and blames Anne. Anne's had enough and takes off...and now Jonathan has to find a way to bring his two favorite young people together!
The Song and Dance: This one is all about the charming interaction between cinema's most famous curmudgeon and Little Miss Sunshine. Deanna's playing a slightly more seasoned young woman here. She's much sassier and even a bit tougher, while still retaining the gentle charm that makes Jonathan adore her. Laughton didn't get too many chances to play pure comedy, and he seems to be having a great time, whether he's listening to Anne sing a song on the piano or dancing a conga with her at a nightclub. There's also Walter Catlett, who has some nice moments with the always-ill Doctor Harvey, and Clara Blandick as Jonathan's stuffy nurse.
Favorite Number: The big one here is "When I Sing," an adaptation of "The Sleeping Beauty Waltz," which Anne performs on the piano at the foot of the stairs so Jonathan can hear it. She does "Clavitas," a short but sweet Spanish song, a bit earlier. The other memorable number from this one is the instrumental dance routine at the nightclub. Jonathan and Anne really get into their conga. Laughton in particular seems to be enjoying himself.
Trivia: Cummings appeared in the Warners drama King's Row at the same time he made this. He'd have to dash back and forth across town to keep up with the filming schedules.
The movie's production was plagued with problems. Durbin was upset Henry Koster had decided to move to MGM with producer Joe Pasternak, and she and Laughton both got sick during filming. Veteran character actor Richard Carle died and had to be replaced by Catlett. Two electricians were injured in accidents, and Koster was in the midst of a divorce.
What I Don't Like: First of all, Durbin's songs aside, this is just barely a musical. It's really more of a romantic comedy with one goofy dance number and a few opera tunes. Second, Cummings' hasty schedule shows. He's not up to either Durbin or Laughton and can come off as more of a jerk than a well-meaning son.
The Big Finale: Along with First Love, this is one of Durbin's best early vehicles. Great for lovers of Laughton, Durbin, or vintage romantic comedy.
Home Media: Not on streaming at present, but is on DVD in an individual Universal Vault made-to-order title and on DVD and Blu Ray as part of two Durbin collections.
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