It Started with Eve
  

Director: Henry Koster
Writers: Norman Krasna, Leo Townsend, Hanns Kräly
Cast:

• Robert Cummings — Jonathan Reynolds, Jr.
• Deanna Durbin — Anne Terry
• Charles Laughton — Jonathan Reynolds, Sr.

Warner Bros: 1949
black & white

First, let's note that the film's title is virtually generic and so tells us almost nothing: It Started with Eve as a phrase could apply to thousands of romances in print and film. Nevertheless, the film succeeds happily in providing fine music, comedy, and romance.

The plot is rather slight but on its own terms is nicely entertaining. We have a young woman, Anne (Deanna Durbin), who is hoping to launch a singing career. A young man, Johnny (Robert Cummings), is expected to bring his fiancée immediately to meet his father John Sr. (Charles Laughton) who is apparently on his deathbed. Caught between the pressure of his father's health and the temporary absence of his fiancée, Johnny quickly co-opts the first possible candidate at hand, who turns out to be a hat-check girl, Anne. Fortunately for Johnny, Anne goes along with the presumably temporary deception.

Quite surprising to Johnny and John Sir. (if not to the movie audience), Anne turns out to be a wonderful singer, and a far nicer person than the real fiancée when the latter turns up.
  

As Anne, Deanna Durbin accompanies herself on the piano as she tries to improve the spirits of her terminally ailing pretend stepfather-to-be. The interplay between Anne's sweetness and music for John Sr., and the latter's grumpy and sneaky efforts to evade being bedridden and coddled, is quite enjoyable. Of course he eventually figures out that Johnny has presented him with a false fiancée, and then everyone's plans and expectations go awry. Through all this Johnny is a fine son and conflicted suitor, but the plot, humor, and of course music are carried beautifully by Anne and John Sr.
  

Take the film for what it is, enjoy the great talents of its stars and the amusing plot. I've watched It Started with Eve several times. It's well worth your time to seek it out.
  

© 2024 Robert Wilfred Franson