It Started with Eve
Directed by Henry Koster
Written by Norman Krasna, Leo Townsend and Hans Kraly
1941/USA
Universal Pictures
Repeat viewing/Deanna Durbin Sweetheart Collection DVD
[box] Dr. Harvey: I have a very pleasant surprise for you.
Jonathan Reynolds: Oh yes? How long will you be gone?[/box]
The only thing that distinguishes this from other Deanna Durbin vehicles is a nice performance by Charles Laughton.
It is the dying wish of Jonathan Reynolds (Laughton) to meet his son Johnny’s (Robert Cummings) fiancee. He can’t find his own girl so pays hat check girl Anne Terry (Durbin) to take her place. Anne needs the money to return home with since her efforts to get hired as an opera singer in New York have been unsuccessful. Naturally, Reynolds is so enamored of Anne that he perks right up. And, when Anne finds out that Reynolds has connections with Toscanini, Stokowski and others, she holds on to the job long after Johnny wants to fire her.
Charles Laughton is usually good. Here he plays a crotchety old man outwitting his doctor and nurse a little like his character in Witness for the Prosecution. Other than that, this is a completely predictable Deanna Durbin musical. She’s in good voice but most of the songs aren’t too memorable.
It Started with Eve was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCvY7KqR10M
Deanna Durbin sings for Charles Laughton
