La voz de la tórtola

"The Voice of the Turtle" is a gentle comedy romance. The principal characters are an aspiring actress and an Army sergeant on a weekend pass in New York. The time is not clear - there's no news or hint of war, and not many servicemen or women around. But, besides the main character, there is a Navy commander. It would probably be around the time of the film - 1947, a couple years after World War II when there would still be some men in uniform.

Ronald Reagen is Sgt. Bill Page and Eleanor Parker is Sally Middleton. They meet when Sally's friend, Olive Lashbrooke (played by Eve Arden) stands Bill up for another date with Navy Commander Ned Burlin (played by Wayne Morris). Most of the comedy dialog comes from Olive in the biting, quirky lines that were Arden's trademark throughout her career in films and on TV.

Sally is somewhat shy and awkward, and Bill sees the humor or cheeriness in her character. Their relationship blooms slowly in film time, even though the period covered is but a weekend. The story is probably a much more realistic portrayal of dates of that type and time than other films have shown. The movie may seem very slow to some, and probably intolerable for those who thrive on a thrill-a-minute action films. But those who like light comedy and drama that shows a slice of life from a specific period should enjoy this film.

Incidentally, the title comes from something Bill says in the film. After he refers to the voice of the turtle, Sally asks "voice of the turtle?" rhetorically. Bill replies, "turtledove," and says it comes from the Bible. His reference was to Songs 2:12 - "The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the turtledove is heard in our land."

My favorite line from the film is in the drugstore where people are waiting outside a telephone booth. A woman says, "I've been waiting for half an hour. How long can he talk for a nickel?"

Eleanor Parker was approaching the peak of her career when she was cast as Sally Middleton, the slightly daffy heroine of this charming wartime romantic comedy. Ronald Reagan, fresh from his stint in the service, returned to play a soldier who finds himself falling for the charming actress and staying overnight (innocently) in her apartment. Eve Arden is on hand for comic relief as the heroine's best friend and gets some hearty laughs with her usual witty observations and Wayne Morris has a secondary role as her Naval commander boyfriend. Kent Smith is wasted as a producer unwilling to make a relationship commitment with Parker.

Eleanor Parker carries most of the film and proves adept at the physical comedy--notably in a scene where she prepares a sofabed for her Army soldier, empties ashtrays and primps pillows--all in harmony with Max Steiner's jaunty background score.

One of Reagan's better post-war films with his usual amiable performance as the decent soldier--and far and away one of Miss Parker's most fetching roles.

I agree wholeheartedly with the many reviewers who found this a delightful romantic comedy,but must disagree strongly with the few who found the title inappropriate. It comes from Chapter 2 of The Song Of Songs, a highly erotic poem, and the particular passage celebrates the return of spring, the time of love. What could be more appropriate? As for the turtle, at the time of the King James translation of the Bible that meant turtle dove. The complete passage is:

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in the land.

I think the passage is lovely, and an excellent source for the title, referring as it does to the return of spring to the heroine's heart.

John Van Druten opens up his play in brilliant fashion for the screen by introducing a number of interesting characters. The film is romantic comedy at its best and it is shameful that this charming movie is not on tape or DVD and is not better known. Ronald Reagan is at his affable best and Eve Arden excels as always; the supporting cast includes Wayne Morris (in real life a true war hero), Kent Smith and John Emory. The real delight, however, is the performance of Eleanor Parker. To put it simply, she is completely captivating! Doug McClelland, in his book ELEANOR PARKER:WOMAN OF A THOUSAND FACES, is right on target when he comments on her versatility and her dazzling range as an actress of unsurpassed gifts. VOICE OF THE TURTLE is a complete delight no matter how many times it is viewed.

Irving Rapper's 1947 wartime comedy 'One For the Book,' is based on John Van Druten's Broadway play, 'The Voice of the Turtle.'

Eleanor Parker plays a young, struggling NY stage actress who's been disappointed with love, but agrees to go out with a soldier on leave (Ronald Reagan) after he's stood up by her friend (Eve Arden). They spend the weekend together and fall in love.

I don't think there was a prettier girl in all the movies then Eleanor Parker, who also had one of the loveliest speaking voices, so distinct and individual. On top of that, she's a marvelous screen actress, and this is one of her best early films, in Margaret Sullavan's famous stage role. (She even wears Sullavan's hairstyle with her trademark bangs.) Though she's usually at her best playing strong, domineering women, she's very charming in this entertaining romantic comedy.

Ronald Reagan, too, had one of his better film roles, and working with Parker brought out the best in him. With the exception of his dramatic role in 'Kings Row,' he's rarely this appealing, and his love scenes with lovely Eleanor are very romantic.

And Eve Arden is terrific as always as Parker's man-chasing friend.

A very bright, enjoyable romantic comedy, well directed and acted.