Because of Him

"The film is only let down by Durban's (sic) terrible singing." . . . Now that's a good one! Deanna Durbin was catapulted to national prominence in her first appearance on the Eddie Cantor radio hour - at the age of 14 - as a singer. That program elicited 4,000 letters of praise, and off she took like a rocket. Her films were enormously popular, and she sang in every one. She changed the course of operatic singing and single-handedly inspired a whole new generation of opera singers. The list of her professional musical admirers is as long as your arm and includes Lily Pons, Maria Callas and Joan Sutherland, who said,"I wish I knew how she did it." Rostropovich, the great Russian cellist, said he was inspired to capture with his cello the same purity and clarity that he found in Durbin's singing. Mel Torme said Durbin was "phenomenal." He said she could sing anything you put in front of her and do it to perfection. I am rarely able to endure operatic singing, but Durbin is so good at everything, I'd rush to listen to her call hogs if given the chance.

The fact that credibility is strained to the limits is not unusual in most of the Deanna Durbin films of this period. "Because of Him" is no exception--with a charming performance by Deanna and an excessively hammy one (intentionally so) by Charles Laughton. Both prove they have a way with comedy--as does Franchot Tone as a playwright who does not want Durbin to star in his new show. While the thin plot hinges on whether or not Deanna is successful in seeking the patronage of famous actor (Laughton) and starring in the theater, there is an air of mirth in the proceedings with just the right light touch to keep the story spinning to a happy ending.

Deanna, as usual, is in fine voice and gives a lovely rendition of "Danny Boy" and tosses off an operatic aria under most unusual circumstances. Her voice is showcased here and so is her comic timing. Easy to see why she was such a popular favorite in the '40s.

Deanna is such a sweet, old fashioned woman, she was about 23 in "Because of him". Deanna was 13 in her first appearance with Judy Garland in the short "Every Sunday" 1936, and that came out 10 years prior to "Because I know him" 1946. Deanna blossomed into a beautiful young woman in her 1940s films such as this one. And her voice is wonderful again here singing her lovely opera songs especially the tear-jerker "Danny boy".

The golden age had some beautiful operatic singing women, Janette McDonald in the 1930s and early 1940s, and Kathryn Grayson and Deanna Durban in the 1940s. All angels

Deanna had a deep admiration for John and wanted to star in his show so badly that she folded a letter that she typed herself about being invited to star in John's show, and asked him for his autograph with him only seeing the side of the paper without the letter showing. Since Deanna was waitressing and John was a customer at the restaurant she waitressed at, she was able to pull it off with John not discovering until later what she'd done. John did take it better than many characters of his sort in these types of films would take it. Generally, he took it well enough to remain calm and sympathetic towards Deanna and to keep her scheming move quiet and between only the two of them. But he didn't take it well enough to actually grant her wish to star in his show, and bluntly advised her to go back to her home town. Then Deanna, well at least her friends and family, did not keep the next plot point quiet. They publicised in the newspaper that she attempted suicide due to John's rejecting her for his show.

John's reaction to that, like with the autograph/letter scheme, was lighter than one would've expected, and he then really developed a soft spot for her innocence and determination. After that came Deanna's beautiful "Danny boy", and Deanna and John were not the only ones without dry eyes. I have a sentimental side to Golden age music, it's simply got a sweetness and charm to it that no modern music can match. Deanna Durban, Kathryn Grayson, Janette McDonald, Judy Garland, Nelson Eddie, Allen Jones, Dick Powell's singing, Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Ruby Keeler, Clark Gable, Gene Kelly, Cary Grant's acting and charm, along with many others' singing, acting, sweetness, and charm have all helped to have made the pre-mid-1950s age a wonderful place

I enjoyed the movie apart from Tone's character (he was annoying and super cheesy) the rest was great. Laughton is as always the best part about the picture.

Kim Walker (Deanna Durbin) wants to be a stage actress in the worst possible way. So, Kim decides that no matter how much hard work other actresses go through to get to Broadway, she'll take a shortcut. Her shortcut involves lying her head off...again and again and again. She has everyone convinced that the great actor, John Sheridan (Charles Laughton), adores her and wants her to co-star with him in her next play. Then when he learns about her ruse, she and her friend concoct and even crazier scheme...for her to do a fake suicide attempt for publicity sake. What's she going to do next? Kidnap all the other actors?? Nope...she now decides to stalk the playwright!!

I am sure this sort of script scares many actors to death...the pushy ingénue who forces her way to the top. Why? Because some not so well balanced acting wannabes might just decide to do the same...and expecting the same results! Believe me, there are many creepy stalkers out there chasing celebrities...and they DON'T need encouragement!!

So, despite this, is the film worth seeing? Well, it does end very well. Overall, though, the message it presents is creepy and the film has one too many songs for Durbin. I really think the movie SHOULD contain the following statement before it's shown: "If you act like Deanna Durbin in real life the way she acts in this one, you'll likely be arrested or blackballed for life"!