sbasu-47-608737 After going through her most of the movies, probably this is one where Deanna was her loveliest, before this the childishness was clearly discernible (she was, so one can't blame her for it), here, she was just counting off her teen-days. On the musical note, audience of most of her movies had feasted on her voice, and this is no exception. On that count though, it might be on the upper echelon, but not the best one. Story is, simple, without much of twist. To humor his dying father, who wanted to see his future daughter-in-law, before he closes his eyes, permanently, the devoted son, unable to trace his real fiancee (who had been on pro-active mission, to get a proper mourning dress made), gets a stooge, a hat-check girl, to play the part of his fiancee for the night. Unfortunately for all, the dying father falls in love with his son's fiancee and as a result, instead of keeping the eyes shut, opens them wide in the morning, and in his full senses now, demands the fiancee to be placed on his bed-side. Thankfully, this love is paternal or may be filial. After all one could look at the daughter/ DIL to be motherly too and when close, the two generation do continuously interchange their rank. Rest of the movie is predictable, with minor twists and turns, though not much abrupt, and hence neither jars the senses, nor sours the honey, and keeps the romance moving all along (of course with the usual misunderstandings, when each of the protagonists think the other to be oblivious of the feeling). As a movie, and the enjoyment coefficient is there, it belongs to the top slice of my list. And that is despite it having at least one very controversial, and a few indicating the female protagonist to be quite - should I say thoughtless or she was just plain insensitive?The Father-In-law (would be) is ailing, probably with heart ailment, and the smoking and rich foods are out of bounds for him. But she, just the day after his near-death experience, lets him have his cigar. Number of puffs are limited, but still... Then she becomes the prime cause of his raising his blood-pressure to Everest level in the "Forgive me Johnny" and then to top it all, not only letting, but making him dance Conga. In each of them, she just missed being booked under non-culpable homicide case. The second offence is of course much more serious, at least today, in the times of the "Me-too". There has been a very clear and detailed aggressive molestation, there is no other name for what happened there (after the "Forgive me Johnny"). Probably since the sparks were already flying, though hidden, she (or the audience, including ) didn't mind it.

Alex da Silva 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 Durbin….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.

Meredith Secaur A wealthy man (Charles Laughton) is dying, and his last request is to meet his son's (Robert Cummings) fiancée. Unable to comply with this wish, Cummings asks hat check girl (Deanna Durbin) to accompany him and pose as his fiancée for the last hours of his father's life.Doesn't sound very much like a good plot for a romantic comedy, does it? Without giving too much away, an unexpected turn of events leads to the necessity of continuing the charade, and the two lead characters falling in love. "It Started With Eve" is a rare treat in that it mixes comedy, romance, and truly moving drama into a single film that is nothing but a joy to experience.So what is it exactly that makes this film so special? In my opinion, one of the major flaws of most romantic comedies both then and now is the over-reliance on stock characters. One goes into these types of films expecting the same sorts of people: the boy and the girl who either hate or love each other from the outset, and the interfering ex-girlfriend or parent intent on keeping them apart. In this film, these stereotypes are turned on their heads. The two leads neither hate nor love each other, but are simply thrown together and their relationship develops from there. The typical unwilling parent is replaced by a father who admires Durbin's character so much that he works to bring her and his son together.The style in which this film is directed also sets it apart. While most movies of this type usually veer towards either broad farce or melodrama, the feeling here is something in between, which results in that the acting is more realistic and makes the film more believable. The stellar casting is only enhanced by the great performances and genuine chemistry between the three leads (Cummings, Durbin, and Laughton). Laughton and Durbin especially seem to get along so well that in the scene where they burst out in uncontrollable laughter, you can't help but join in with them.While this film is not as well known now as it was in its day (it just had its premiere on TCM this December), it is one that should be better known, simply for the fact that it is truly a cinematic gem.

edwagreen Absolutely delicious 1941 comedy where Charles Laughton proved his versatility in acting. He is an absolute riot here as an elderly tycoon taken to bed for what is supposed to be a fatal illness. He wants to see his son's fiancée and when she isn't around, Bob Cummings, in a restrained, but memorable performance, finds Diana Durbin, a hat-check girl at a local night club, to pretend that she is that girl. All hell breaks loose when of course, Laughton makes a remarkable recovery. He knows everyone in the music industry and Durbin takes full advantage of the situation.Walter Catlett is hysterical as the perplexed doctor and he is ably assisted by Clara Blandick, his nurse.Laughton does a memorable conga at a local night-club with Durbin. The ending may well be predictable, but it's fun and very much amusing to see this film.The film also proves that medicine is still a mystery.