If you discover this film, as I did on rerun on a television station, you will first notice that it is a comedy with musical numbers. It is not a drama; it is not a lost opportunity for heavy-duty angst between a mother and daughter nor a passionate romantic triangle. I claim it is just what its producers set out to make it to be--an opportunity for young singing star Deanna Durbin to show her abilities, a nice part for Kay Francis who is young enough to play leads and mature enough to suggest that she may have to consider giving up impersonating ingenues on stage, and a chance for Walter Pidegon to play the fascinating man who falls in love with her. Francis underplays and is intelligent, I claim, and capable in the part of a Broadway luminary, a sort of part which has overtaxed many a Hollywood actress because it requires high intelligence, a trained voice AND a trained accent. Durbin is energetic, bubbly and believable as an inexperienced human being and as a potential major talent. Pigeon is award-caliber as the wise, understanding and romantic plantation owner who she has a crush on; he is the one who switches his attention to Francis at first sight and then has to deal with the misunderstanding. This is a breezy, genial comedy about three ethical and nice people who are caught in a misprision that can easily be solved in five minutes, but fortunately takes long enough to serve as the framework for an entertaining movie for adults, albeit of an ideationally low-grade level. That's all it is--a clever excuse for the songs, the three stellar performers and a logical script devoid of very much social importance. Norman Krasna, a gentle-minded and very talented screenwriter, has provided a superior script here, which is believable, full of smart dialogue and never forced as so many comedies were and are; Frederick Kohner of "Gidget" fame, Ralph Block and Jane Hall also contributed to the logical story-line. Gowns were designed here by Vera West; sets were decorated by Russell A Gausman. Art direction was provided by veteran Joseph Otterson, with fine cinematography by Joseph A. Valentine. William A Seiter directed the production. Make no mistake; this is a "B" film in its attempt-level, but with unusual musical and visual values throughout. Judge this film for yourself; I believe you will be as amused; and perhaps as delighted as I was to find a film written by adults and for adults, about sensitive topics such as an actress's pride, a mature male's admiration for a beautiful woman and a young girl's emotional vulnerability.
Review of It's a Date
