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Because of Him
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by Universal Studios
Sales Rank: 3085
Price: $19.98
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The always wonderful Deanna Durbin turns this mix of comedy and music into delightful and charming fun. It was the second time she and Charles Laughton would work together, leaving us a memory of what makes the movies great. Durbin once more exudes that something special that made her the great star she was. <br /> <br />Kim Walker (Deanna Durbin) is a waitress trying to get her big break on stage and with a letter of introduction from the great John Sheridan (Charles Laughton) she might just have found it. The letter, of course, was simply an autograph Kim managed to get before Sheridan goes fishing in Maine. The author of the play (Franchot Tone) doesn't want her in it, even though she sets his heart in motion. When Sheridan returns earlier than expected and gets it all figured out the film really comes to life. <br /> <br />Laughton and Durbin are wonderful together as he feels sorry for her and she begins to win over the wise old Sheridan. When both Sheridan and Paul Taylor (Tone) mistakenly think their dismissal of her has brought her to the brink of suicide they begin to come around. Kim has fallen in love with Taylor and once again the wise old Sheridan will maneuver events on stage and off to bring about a happy ending for his sweet and talented protege from North Dakota. <br /> <br />Durbin's spirit makes this one of her best films before walking away from Hollywood forever. Laughton teaches her how to faint and what becomes their routine of placing her head on his shoulder as he escorts her out the door is fun. Her chasing around Tone singing "Goodbye" as he tries to shake her is fun as well. She also gets to sing the most sentimental and beautiful version of "Danny Boy" you'll ever hear in this light comedy classic. <br /> <br />This is a fun time at the movies, especially for Deanna Durbin fans. She made the transition gracefully from child musical star and became a wonderful light comedic actress who exuded charm and sincerity in all her roles. There has not been, and never will be, anyone to replace her. She was lovely to look at, enchanting to watch, and her soprano voice was heavenly to hear. "Because of Him" is just further evidence that Deanna Durbin truly was the Last Rose of Summer.
Viewer Reviews
In BECAUSE OF HIM (1946), a delightful backstage comedy, Deanna Durbin was joined by two of her most popular male co-stars: Charles Laughton ("It Started with Eve"), and Franchot Tone ("Nice Girl?", "His Butler's Sister").
Based on a story entitled "Catherine the Last" by Edmund Beloin and Sig Herzig, Deanna plays Kim Walker, a young waitress in New York who wishes to become a serious stage actress. She uses an autograph belonging to esteemed Broadway actor John Sheridan (Charles Laughton) in order to land an audition for his upcoming play, "Strange Laughter", written by Mr Paul Taylor (Franchot Tone). Both men soon discover Kim's deception and she's politely told to give up. But Kim's roommate Nora (Helen Broderick) cheekily contacts all the newspapers with the story that Kim has attempted suicide because she cannot secure the lead in Sheridan's play! Hilarious comic hijinks ensue...
BECAUSE OF HIM was a rare change of pace for Deanna Durbin. She really only gets to sing two full-length songs in the whole movie ("Danny Boy" and "Goodbye"); plus a clever duet with her own recording of "Lover". In the film, the character of Kim wants to be recognised for her acting talents and not her singing, so the filmmakers toned down Durbin's usual musical antics in favour of screwball comedy and sweet romance. What emerges is one of Deanna's all-time best from the period. She's beautifully costumed by Travis Banton (Marlene Dietrich's costumier of choice for all the 1930s' classics with Josef von Sternberg).
BECAUSE OF HIM will be an essential title for any classic movie or Deanna Durbin collection!
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