Sometimes revisiting things of the past can be disillusioning. I've found that to be the case particularly in reading stories which enchanted me when young, only to discover that they has lost all their magic. It can even lead to the melancholy awareness that we have lost the youthful innocence which allowed us to be tickled with a feather. Well , I'm happy to say that the opposite happened to me when I watched His Sister's Butler {1943). Not only was all the magic there it seemed even more intense. The film has a wonderful unselfconscious innocence which is completely delightful. It is beautifully made and the fact that it is a "fable about the day before yesterday" justifies its sweet fairy-tale tone.
It is common to refer to this film as a Deanna Durbin "vehicle". And certainly to an extent this is true. Durbin is lovely in the role. One can hardly wait for her to put her beautiful, full mezzo-soprano on display. All the delays in her doing so are carefully and cleverly integrated into the plot and when she does sing, we love it! {At least I do} But there are so many other great things in this heart warming film.
The five Butlers are genuinely funny whether they help Ann shop or "propose" {ask her to become first maid at their respective workplaces!}. Pat O'Brien {Ann's brother} is excellent in his role and Franchot Tone {Charles Gerard} is an appropriately suave leading man. All of the minor parts are vigorously actedeven the tiny part of Lady Sloughberry stands out {played by none other than the marvellous Florence Batesremember her memorable part in Rebecca? }. The two brash ladies that try to collar Gerard at the very opening are integral to the plot. They make credible Gerard's unwillingness to give auditionsas is made clear later by O'Brien's character. Camera work is quite skillful. Durbin's entrance is done by a long tracking shot which focuses entirely on her backas she searches for a seat. Another nice tracking shot takes us to the top of the hotel where Gerard has his Penthouse flat. The cross-cuts between Durbin and Tone as she sings {she thinks to him} and he listens {he thinks to the radio!} are very effective.
Yes, it ends predictably! But all good fairy-tales have the Prince and Princess living "Happily ever After"! And that's the way it should be.
Wonderful film.
It is common to refer to this film as a Deanna Durbin "vehicle". And certainly to an extent this is true. Durbin is lovely in the role. One can hardly wait for her to put her beautiful, full mezzo-soprano on display. All the delays in her doing so are carefully and cleverly integrated into the plot and when she does sing, we love it! {At least I do} But there are so many other great things in this heart warming film.
The five Butlers are genuinely funny whether they help Ann shop or "propose" {ask her to become first maid at their respective workplaces!}. Pat O'Brien {Ann's brother} is excellent in his role and Franchot Tone {Charles Gerard} is an appropriately suave leading man. All of the minor parts are vigorously actedeven the tiny part of Lady Sloughberry stands out {played by none other than the marvellous Florence Batesremember her memorable part in Rebecca? }. The two brash ladies that try to collar Gerard at the very opening are integral to the plot. They make credible Gerard's unwillingness to give auditionsas is made clear later by O'Brien's character. Camera work is quite skillful. Durbin's entrance is done by a long tracking shot which focuses entirely on her backas she searches for a seat. Another nice tracking shot takes us to the top of the hotel where Gerard has his Penthouse flat. The cross-cuts between Durbin and Tone as she sings {she thinks to him} and he listens {he thinks to the radio!} are very effective.
Yes, it ends predictably! But all good fairy-tales have the Prince and Princess living "Happily ever After"! And that's the way it should be.
Wonderful film.