Esta es la fecha

I watched this to see Kay Francis, who was coming to the end of her career here. Both she and Walter Pigeon were billed below the title; Deanna Durbin was the star, the only person billed above the title.

This was the seventh movie Deanna Durbin made with producer Joe Pasternak and cameraman Joseph Valentine, and the well was running dry. This drivel would give anyone with an IQ above 70 a raging headache--even in 1940. It's a trite tale of a mother (Francis) and daughter (Durbin) in love with the same man (Pigeon) as well as mother and daughter vying for the same leading role in a Broadway play. It's nonsense with neither an ounce of plausibility nor a single bit of wit, though it fancies itself a comedy. The very contrived plot is arranged to provide Durbin with a ridiculous assortment of songs: "Musetta's Waltz" from La Boheme, Schubert's "Ave Maria," "Loch Lomond," and a bland new ballad, "Love Is All." Kay Francis was looking quite fine here, though the costume designer should have been shot for giving her unflattering turban hats.

This was the first American film that S. Z. "Cuddles" Sakall appeared in, though he didn't have his nickname at that time. He was playing the sort of part here that he played throughout his Hollywood career.

And the film reminded me of what an insipid actor Walter Pigeon was.

The tired old ploy of having mother and daughter compete for the same man, intentionally or not, is what is supposed to make 'It's A Date' a sparkling comedy. Although the script is by the talented Norman Krasna, it's not witty enough to make the long stretches between songs anything more than bearable.

When Durbin does get a chance to sing, she's great. She puts over all of her songs with professional skill and poise, doing an absolute standout job on "Ave Maria" and "Musetta's Waltz"--but the trouble is not enough time is spent on the vocals to showcase her amazing voice. Instead, we get Kay Francis and Walter Pidgeon falling in love while Deanna dreams up all sorts of schemes to keep her mother from knowing that she has won her mother's role in a play.

Deanna looks lovely at eighteen and has probably never been photographed more beautifully but this is the sort of vehicle that has you wishing the silly plot would move on so we can hear Durbin sing once more. Walter Pidgeon and Kay Francis are adequate in support. MGM later came up with a zestier technicolored remake called "Nancy Goes To Rio" with Jane Powell.

Trivia note: This was S.Z. Sakall's first screen appearance in an American film.

The first part almost sparkles as Durbin sings and mixes with other youngsters. Then Pidgeon enters the picture and the movie bogs down in a romantic mix-up as implausibly an 18-year old Durbin and an adult Francis compete for the 42-year old male lead. Trouble is the movie stretches out the slender material, while director Seiter's pacing lacks needed snap. Nonetheless, Durbin's star quality comes through. Her more mature dramatic scenes are convincing for one so young. Still, I could have taken more of her usual bounce, while that last song (Ave Maria)-- of only three -- appears to have wandered in from another movie. I guess it's to reassure the audience of Durbin's basic innocence. All in all, the film fritters away its three outstanding performers with a lackluster script and pedestrian direction. Fortunately, they would all go on to better things.

"It's a Date" is a pleasant little film with Deanna Durbin. I think the best part of this one is that although there is some singing, it's not jam-packed full of music and has a decent plot.

Deanna plays Pamela Drake and Kay Francis plays her mother, Georgia. Georgia is already a famous and accomplished actress and Pamela dreams of becoming one herself. Well, it soon looks like Pamela's dreams will come true when she reads for a relatively small part--but they offer her the lead! However, she needs to cram and learn the part and goes on a cruise. During this trip, she stays to herself and works on her lines but the Captain and a guest, John Arlen (Walter Pidgen) see her talking to herself and don't know she's rehearsing! They think, incorrectly, that she's really depressed--and John decides to use a scheme to get her to focus on him and his supposed problems. He hasn't got any problems and soon she sees through his ruse--but they become good friends.

When they land, Pamela introduces John to her mother--and tells her that she is in love with John, although he's twice her age. However, over time you aren't certain WHICH lady John is smitten with but things get worse. Soon Pamela realizes that her mother ALSO thinks she's getting the same part that Pamela is rehearsing for--and she doesn't want to disappoint her mother. So what's going to happen? See this cute little family comedy.

As far as Deanna Durbin films go, it's a bit better than average due to a nice cast. In particular, although it's a relatively small role, it's also the first for S. Z. 'Cuddles' Sakall---one of the most likable supporting actors in history. This alone make it a must-see!

By the way, I would love to know what audiences of the day thought about their sweetheart, Miss Durbin, falling for an old guy like Pidgeon. I know that a similar May-December pairing in "That Hagen Girl" was NOT good and audiences hated the film. I think seeing a young lady who everyone adored as a child now with a much older man was just too much-- and this might have also been a problem with Durbin.

A mother and daughter vie for the affections of the same man and for a plum Broadway role. This could be the plot of a tragic drama or a steamy soap opera, but these women have a prodigious love for each other and this is a comedy, so the storyline revolves around the expected resolution of the amorous and artistic collisions.

Kay Francis plays the mother (Georgia) and Deanna Durbin plays the daughter (Pamela), which makes this film eminently watchable. Walter Pidgeon is the man in the middle. At the time of filming, Francis was about 35 and Durbin was about 19, but Deanna had top billing and the meatier role. If Durbin's role had more substance, the film would have been more balanced and more interesting. As it is, the two actresses convey a warmth that compensates for a paucity of laughs.

"Cuddles" Sakall makes his Hollywood debut as the playwright for the show the women covet.

The narrative allows Durbin to display her marvelous pipes, of course. Her vocal numbers are shoehorned into the action, but they don't distract. In fact, they are one of the film's best features.