The Silver Screen Oasis

Deanna Durbin's first onscreen kiss which only lasted two seconds was with Robert Stack in FIRST LOVE. You'll notice that as she grew older, the kisses grew longer. By the time Deanna made movie number ten called IT STARTED WITH EVE, which was her first one after her marriage, the kissing time had stretched to overtime!! Now Robert Cummings had a "make-up" kiss with Deanna in IT STARTED WITH EVE which wasn't a romantic one, but he did lock lips with her for over 10 seconds!!

Uncle Stevie wrote:By the time Deanna made movie number ten called IT STARTED WITH EVE, which was her first one after her marriage, the kissing time had stretched to overtime!! Now Robert Cummings had a "make-up" kiss with Deanna in IT STARTED WITH EVE which wasn't a romantic one, but he did lock lips with her for over 10 seconds!!

10 Seconds! ... Man, that is a long time Uncle Stevie!

Oh come on, where's the love for 100 Men and a Girl, or Three Smart Girls?

[u]Uncle Stevie[/u] wrote:...Now Robert Cummings had a "make-up" kiss with Deanna in IT STARTED WITH EVE which wasn't a romantic one, but he did lock lips with her for over 10 seconds!!

...And Tom Jones held the last note in "Thunderball" for twelve-seconds. But more about THAT in the Bond thread.

Uncle Stevie wrote:My favorite is "His Butler's Sister". She is most maturely beautiful in this one and sing a great variety of songs including a Russian medely which caused her to be a favorite in Russia. I think it is a sweet movie.

Deanna was 22 at the time and she starred with Franchot Tone and Pat O'Brien.

Hey Uncle Stevie, You have here another admirer of "His Butler's Sister" (1943) which benefits of Frank Borzage's masterful talent to elevate any movie's standard; Durbin's talent and charm; Franchot Tone's and Pat O'Brien's great acting abilities; a superb supporting cast (Alan Mowbray, Akim Tamiroff, Florence Bates, etc.); high production values; awesome cinematography and an excellent DVD release (UK).

She displays her vocal qualities superbly; her rendition of "Nessum Dorma" is moving and overwhelming. Her close-ups are dreamlike. Her romantic chemistry with Tone is great, and the comedic and touching moments perfectly handled by Borzage. A winner.

A made a point of watching a Deanna Durbin film to pay homage to her after I knew of her death...

That's quite the supporting cast!

JackFavell wrote:That's quite the supporting cast!

Indeed...and add Roscoe Karns, Hans Conried, Evelyn Ankers, Sig Arno, Walter Catlett, Elsa Janssen (delightful)....

Aghh! Roscoe's in it too? Oh, GAAAAAAD! I guess I need to watch this one!

At present I have one of my granddaughters staying with me. I told her of the death of Deanna, but she was not sure who I meant, so I put “Every Sunday” on for her. She was sufficiently impressed to want to see more, so last night I put on “Three Smart Girls”.

Again she was impressed and wants to see more of Deanna. (I have all her movies). When the movie started I was in the kitchen making a cuppa,.Jaimee called to me. She had stopped the movie. I came in and she told me that there was a call on my mobile, but the phone had stopped ringing. She knew my ring tone, but she did not know that my ring tone was Deanna`s first song in her first feature movie.

I have been told that I must put another of Deanna`s movies on tonight.

Oh that's funny!

Three Smart Girls Grow Up? or something to mix it up a bit?

Deanna Durbin

Here is a couple of photos from my private collection ... Enjoy!

A couple of things I wanted to share gleaned from the last week's spotlight on Deanna Durbin's life and legacy:

TCM Remembers Deanna Durbin is a video that has been running on the network for several days. It features some sublime images of the performer. Nothing has been announced yet, but I would not be surprised if a tribute to Durbin was arranged to be featured on TCM's schedule when it becomes possible. Please note that the release of Durbin's films for broadcast seems to have been exceptionally rare in the past and is likely to continue unless someone at Sony/Universal has a sudden epiphany. Here's hoping that happens.

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A series of in-depth posts on Deanna Durbin that were published in the last few days by the fine film historian and Ramon Novarro biographer Andre Soares on his blog, The Alternative Film Guide:

Dead at 91: Top Universal Star Deanna Durbin

Universal Saved by ‘Miracle Films’ Starring Deanna Durbin

Adrift at Universal Without Joe Pasternak: Deanna Durbin

From Wholesome Musicals to Film Noir: ’40s Deanna Durbin

Highest Paid Actress in the World: Deanna Durbin

Less-Than-Rosy Hollywood Memories: Deanna Durbin

Private Individual vs. Public Persona: Deanna Durbin

it is hard for me to forget Deanna. She has been my love for a very long time. I own all of her movies and play them periodically. Although she was not in the public eye for over 50 years I will still miss her. Rest in peace Deanna Durbin. there have been so few talent of your quality to hit the movie scene so young.

With all my love

Uncle Stevie

I never went looking for a Durbin film. Going through one of my Leonard Maltin books I stumbled on "It Started With Eve." Might as well make it my first one.

What fun. It's a love story but not what you think. Charles Laughton lay on his deathbed when his son, Robert Cummings, is ordered to bring his fiance to meet his father before he dies. That is likely to be any minute. Bob can't find his fiance so begs Deanna to come pose as her. She does. He feels better. Trouble begins for Bob. The love story is really about Deanna and Laughton. They are wonderful together. Laughton is one of those lovable grumpy old men who you can't help but like. She's a treat and has a lovely voice, which is not news to most.

It starts like it is going to be a full blown screwball comedy but it never quite reaches that level and that is on purpose. Cummings does fine as the flustered son as he tries to balance his fake fiance with his real fiance. There is one fun scene that involves kissing and pinching that almost seems pretty free based on the squealing involved.

Funny and sweet without being too much. If you haven't seen it get it and enjoy.

I am glad to read this Chris. It is my favorite Durbin film. Ever since I got it I hace seen it three or foru times.