Un caprice de Vénus

Stars Ava Gardner and Robert Walker. Walker gives a flawless comedic performance as a department store window dresser who kisses a statue of Venus which then comes to life (gee, think "Mannequin" ripped this off).

A wonderfully written intelligent script, the most beautiful love song, written by Bertohlt Brecht, as it's theme music, a supporting cast that boasts one of Eve Arden's most brilliant performances and '40's singing heartthrob Dick Haymes, as well as the most glorious wardrobe for the 3 female leads, all add up to an evening on Olympus.

It is, however, Ava Gardner who will captivate your heart, capture your soul, and make you believe in magic. It really is a once in a lifetime performance - her look, her vocal inflection, and her miraculous stance and walk will convince you that she IS the Goddess of Love. A classic beauty.

One of the best romantic comedies ever!

Ava was never more beautiful. Robert Walker is at his lucky best. Dick Haymes was never in better voice. And, oh, that beautiful Kurt Weill-Ogden Nash score. Not only is "Speak Low" offered, but, the musical scene in Central Park as well, so masterfully handled and performed, will have you gliding and falling in love with the thought of falling in love.

This was a little recognized gem.

After being married to Jennifer Jones (who is/was my particular 1940's screen love goddess), Robert Walker stars opposite a very erotic Ava Gardner, described by film critics in "The Naked Contessa" (1954) as, "...the most beautiful woman in the world", so she was aptly cast to play Venus, the goddess of love, in this 1948 production.

Robert Walker plays Eddie Hatch a lowly paid window dresser at the store owned by Whitfield Savory II (played by Tom Conway -George Sanders cousin).Eddie is instructed to ensure that the curtain will not snag at the forthcoming unveiling ceremony of the recently acquired statue of Venus.When finished, he impulsively kisses the statue which promptly comes to life! Eddie is to marry Gloria (Olga San Juan), who irritatingly keeps reminding Eddie they are to marry.They have drifted into their relationship and marriage just seems the next logical move - but who said love is logical!! However, Eddie's friend Joe, (Dick Haymes), secretly is in love with Gloria himself but he doesn't know it.Whitfield Savory II is likewise ignorant of his subconcious love for his efficient secretary, Molly Stewart, played by Eve Arden in one of her typical wise-cracking roles; (see her as Mildred Pierce's manager in the Oscar winning film of the same name (1945) opposite Joan Crawford.

I was mesmerized by Ava Gardner as she spreads her instinctive love to bring all these true lovers together, while working her magic on Eddie himself who is soon in love with her.Her task over, Jupiter, the head of The Gods summons her back to Mount Olympus and she returns as a statue at the store much to the relief of the store boss who thinks Eddie has stolen her whilst she is in her alter-ego.This sub-plot gives rise to some comic Keystone Cops chase abouts.Watch out for Sara Algood who plays Eddie's landlady, (see her in previous roles as Mrs Beth Morgan in "How Green Was My Valley (1941) and as Mrs Maile in "Cluny Brown" (1946).The song "Speak Low" is sung by Dick Haymes miming to his own recording while Ava effectivly mimes to another singer's voice.Another song about men problems, sung as a trio, features Ava, Olga & Eve.

The audience feels strong sympathy for Eddie and he is finally given his divine award when a very beautiful new store recruit called "Venus Jones" (Ava),appears in human form to him there.We have to assume this will become another love match engineered by Mount Olympus!

I found this film hugely enjoyable as I love classic 1940's films having made something of a speciality of them.It is a difficult title to find.I obtained mine by winning an e-Bay auction after searching on Robert Walker.

...who always adds spice and biting wit to any film, be it comedy or drama. I just had to mention her because I think she is so overlooked and underrated.

Eddie Hatch (Robert Walker) is a verbally abused unappreciated and underpaid display dresser at Savory's department store. His girlfriend Gloria, also an employee at the store, wants to marry him. However, it seems she is more interested in starting her own personal post-war baby boom than she is interested in Eddie himself. One night, while dressing the display for store owner Whitfield Savory's new two hundred thousand dollar statue of Venus, Eddie kisses the statue on a whim and it comes to life (Ava Gardner). Venus is instantly smitten with Eddie, and causes him all kinds of trouble, starting with the fact that she won't get back on her pedestal. This brings Eddie under suspicion of stealing the statue, and anybody who heard the truth of the matter would either think he's lying or crazy. All kinds of comedic and romantic complications ensue.

This film is based on a musical play, thus the three or so odd musical numbers that, to me, didn't seem to fit with the rest of the film and are actually a distraction, but not an awful one. With Tom Conway as the suave lady's man owner of the department store, Eve Arden as his efficient secretary who also carries a torch for the guy, and James Flannigan as a bumbling cop who is no match for Venus's wit or magical powers, it certainly is unique. I'd recommend it.

A very short and sweet version of the Kurt Weill musical play, omitting most of the songs. Ava Gardner plays the statue which comes to life after being kissed by window dresser Robert Walker, and crooner Dick Haymes is also in the cast, at least adding his pleasant voice to the proceedings.

Gardner is a lot of fun in this and certainly looks the part, although I have seen many reviews where she has been really slated. She gives ‘Venus' a healthy dose of playful charm as she leads Walker astray and threatens his position within the firm. Walker himself is a little uncomfortable in this – later roles would give him more range and opportunity to make an impression on the viewer.

Not all bad but the musical sequences seem heavy-handed in places, and with some voices dubbed and others not it just makes the songs sound a bit odd. Directed by William A Seiter, who had done musical comedies for RKO more than a decade earlier.