It Started with Eve

The source of the above quote is obscure. Nobody knows what actor said it, or in fact if any actor did. It's just so great, I have to use it. I did find a story about the actor Edmund Gwenn, however. Gwenn was quite ill, so a friend visiting him told him he knew how difficult it was to die. At that remark, Gwenn perked up. "But not as difficult as playing comedy." Those were his last words.It has been said that inside every great dramatic actor is a comedian trying to escape (I just said it). Charles Laughton wanted to be in a picture with Abbott and Costello ("Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd," 1952) so that he could learn comedy technique from Lou Costello. There was no need. In 1941, Laughton was already a magnificent comedian.Eccentric millionaire Johnathan Reynolds is dying, and the newspapers can hardly wait for it to happen. His son Johnny (Robert Cummings) rushes back from his vacation in Mexico just in time. The old man would like to meet Johnny's fiance, but she and her mother are out shopping, so what can he do? He tells a hat-check girl he will give her $50 (an enormous sum of money in 1941) to impersonate his girlfriend. After all, his father's only got hours, many minutes, to live.But Anne Terry (Deanna Durbin) is like a tonic to the old man. Not only doesn't he die, he wants her to have breakfast with him in his bedroom the next morning! Pretty soon everyone is convinced that Johnny and Anne are engaged. Anne came to New York from a small town to pursue a singing career. The problem is New York isn't interested. But with Reynolds' connections to the musical world, she has at last a real chance. However, being a decent person, she doesn't want to continue this deception, telling Reynolds at one point that she never wants to see him again.I'm no fan of Deanna Durbin, but I really think she's great here as the girl who falls in love with Robert Cummungs in spite of herself. And she gives Laughton a chance to do a couple of great comedy routines. Laughton's doctor (played by another excellent comedian, Walter Catlett) has forbidden him to smoke cigars. Realizing that Reynolds is going to do whatever he wants anyway (there are cigars hidden all over the room), Anne limits him to 10 puffs. When the doctor suddenly enters, Johnathan hides the cigar under the covers. Soon large plums of white smoke are emerging from under the bed, which Johnathan and Anne try to blame on a faulty heater!After Anne tells Johathan she doesn't want to see him anymore, he goes to her apartment. She's packing, ready to catch to next train home. He suggests they go to a quiet little club where nobody knows his name. As soon as they enter, everybody greets him. He's even got his own cocktail, "The Reynolds' Special," which is the largest drink I've ever seen. When he and Anne do the conga, it's absolutely hilarious, especially when Johnny and the doctor walk in. Jonathan is having the time of his life, but his doctor is ready to have a stroke!

A fun lighthearted comedy starring Deanna Durbin, Charles Laughton, and Robert Cummings. Charles Laughton is a very wealthy magnet who is on his death bed. His son(Robert Cummings) is engaged to a stuck socialite and one evening Charles Laughton decides he wants to meet his sons future bride. Robert rushes to the hotel only to find his future bride is out shopping with her mother. In a panic he solicits the coat check girl(Deanna Durbin) to go home with him and pretend she is his future wife. It's live at first site between Charles Laughton and what he believes will be his future daughter in law. A lot of slap stick silly fun starts and soon Charles is feeling better and determined to make sure his son marries Deanna's character Eve.

They just had no answer for. Deanna Durbin. She was beautiful an unmatched voice and able to overcome the embarrassing role Bob Cummings was stuck with. To.watch Durbin show great promise that her studio squandered by not giving her more important roles. BUY this DVD if only to watch Deanna Durbin and be smitten by her talent!

I love the movie "I'd Rather Be Rich." This was the inspiration for it. Funny, but the newer one is better.

Pleasant comedy. Charles Laughton gave quite a performance as he pretended to be on his deathbed. This was the first time I had seen this film and I can't understand why.

Bought this for our teenaged daughter. We had seen it a number of years ago. It is a fun family movie with great performances. Movies from that era are so much better than so much of the pc garbage that Hollywood produces these days.

One of my favorite old comedies. Very entertaining and good storyline. Charles Laughton is awesome. Deanna Durban is beautiful and sings so well. Very comical.Purchase this if you’re in to the old movies like me, you won’t regret it. You’ll thank me.

Why don't we see more of Durbin's movies? She is lovely and has a voice to knock off your shoes. Excellent casting. A happy ending movie worth getting. We bought more of her movies after this.

Wealthy socialite Charles Laughton (Mr Reynolds) is on his deathbed. His son Robert Cummings (Johnny) comes to his bedside and Laughton has a final wish - he would like to see his son’s fiancée. Cummings rushes out to get his fiancée Margaret Tallichet (Gloria) but he can’t find her. In a desperate moment he asks hat-check girl Deanna Durbin (Anne) to stand in and pretend to be Gloria. Laughton takes a liking to Durbin and problems arise the next morning when Laughton starts to improve. How long can the pretence be maintained? Especially as Laughton keeps calling for her….This film is funny and easy-going. All the cast are good, the best being Deanna Durbin and the worst, for me, was Robert Cummings and his slightly wimpy nature – he is playing for farce and I think he just goes a little over the top. He just rushes around a little too much. There is also a good performance from Catherine Doucet as Mrs Pennington. Her manner is spot on with her disapproval of the proceedings and her habit of fiddling with her pearl necklace to exhibit her anger and anxiety is perfectly executed.As regards the story, it’s complete nonsense so just go with it. The characters provide the comedy to keep things going, although you have to feel sorry for Margaret Tallichet. She hasn’t done anything! She is definitely given harsh treatment in this film. You could even go as far as to say that Deanna Durbin is the evil one – hence the title referring to Eve.As for the music interludes, Deanna only sings one turkey – “Going Home”. It comes at a sentimental point in the film and so it helps to lay on that rubbish quite thick. Can’t stand nonsense like that. However, her other two songs, both sung with her piano accompaniment are an enjoyable experience, especially the Spanish one. And she has an entertaining Conga dance scene with Charles Laughton towards the end of the film.

There doesn't seem to be a huge market for Deanna Durbin these days, but having only discovered her recently, I want to say that this film is yet another example of her wonderful comic timing and impressive operatic style singing. Charles Laughton is also hilarious, and the two of them are a joy to watch. For me, she's like a second Doris Day - a real upper ! Glossy black and white print, reasonable sound, no extras or subtitles.

Lost this film during a house move so I had to buy another one as it's my favourite film of Deanna's. My Mother's just watched this film and she's enjoying it too. Will have to buy another one for her too.

I ordered this for my elderly mother who is a big fan of Deana Durbin. She loved the film and it has alovely story to it. Charles Lawton also plays a brilliant part in this film. A lovely family film.

Charles Laughton certainly steals the limelight in this film. He is funny, believable and doesn't overact. Robert Cummings by contrast is not funny. Deanna Durbin is a dream, and I certainly envy Cummings for kissing her and pinching her bum in this film.