An American Lady – Deanna Durbin
Ooh, do I have a treat for you! I want to introduce you to someone lovely and enjoyable, delightful and fabulous – Deanna Durbin! Deanna was an actress in the 1940s. She played in some wonderful movies with the sweetest story lines and most beautiful music! If you’ve never heard of her or seen her films, then you are in for a treat!
Deanna Durbin was born in Canada in 1921. When she was quite young, her family moved to California so that she could pursue a singing career. Her dream was opera but instead she found herself auditioning for a film alongside none other than Judy Garland! MGM signed Judy Garland, so Universal was left Deanna. What a talent they received in the sweet little girl with the British accent!
One thing I really admired about Deanna was her patriotism. Though she was born in Canada, she quickly became a huge supporter of the American troops and is said to have been one of the most famous pin-ups of World War II! She often visited military bases and sang for our Soldiers! Several of her films are quite patriotic!
I admire her attitude too! Yes, I know it was acting, but there was a way she had about her. She was lovely and kind, feisty and talented. To me, she was an American Lady – one I wouldn’t mind being a bit like!
Her personal life had a twinge of sadness. Though she was the highest paid actress in the world by the age of 21, she was married and divorced twice by the time she was 29. By then she realized that she could either have a career or have a marriage and decided to leave the movie industry. She married a third time and moved to France and led a quiet life there until she passed away at the age of 91.
This 6 movie set is known as the Sweetheart Pack and has some fabulous movies! “Three Smart Girls” is the first movie that Deanna played in! She plays a 14-year-old who, with the help of her two older sisters, reunite their parents after years of being separated! A little fun trivia – Universal Studios was about to go bankrupt when they filmed this movie – it was their last-ditch effort. Deanna’s performance was so remarkable that the film did better than anyone imagined and it was fundamental in helping Universal get back on its feet!
“Something in the Wind” is perhaps one of Deanna’s most humorous movies! She is mistaken for a love interest of a recently deceased grandfather of a wealthy, stuck up family. The family attempts to pay her off to keep the relationship a secret, but annoyed by their disdain, Deanna decides to have some fun with their mistake. With her lovely songs and delightful attitude she quickly inspires everyone to forget their arrogant ways!
Bob Cummings stars along Deanna in “It Started with Eve“. Bob’s father is on his deathbed and his dying wish is to meet Bob’s fiancée. Unfortunately, Bob is not able to find his fiancée quickly, so asks a lovely stranger (Deanna!) if she could pretend to be his fiancée so that his father can die happy. Wouldn’t you know, the delight and relief that the father feels upon meeting Deanna, that instead of dying, he makes an unexpected recovery?! There is a lot of humor in watching poor Bob try to keep his fiancée happy while pretending to be engaged to Deanna!
“First Love” is a Cinderella story. Poor Deanna is an orphan who goes to live with her wealthy uncle, aunt and cousins. Sadly, her aunt and the cousins aren’t kind to the lovely Deanna. Her uncle knows they are rude, but does nothing. But then, like all Cinderella stories, Deanna meets her prince and lives happily ever after!
Her only color film, “Can’t Help Singing“, finds Deanna heading West to join her true love. Though not one of my favorite of her films (rather weak storyline), the music is lovely and it really is enjoyable to see her act in color!
“Lady on a Train” stars Deanna as a mystery novel enthusiast who witnesses a murder! Now all she has to do is to solve the ‘who-done-it’! What better way to figure it out then by going undercover and getting to know the suspects?!
All in all, I highly recommend all of Deanna’s films! If you find her as enchanting as I do, you will enjoy them immensely! (I do want to warn you though, “Christmas Holiday” is rather a sad film. She is lovely and plays her part well, but the storyline is quite sad.) Some of my favorites not listed above, are “Mad About Music“, “The Amazing Mrs. Holiday“, “I’ll Be Yours“, “His Butler’s Sister” … and I could go on!
I hope you enjoy her films as much as I do! Many are available on Amazon here and you should check on youtube for her films – that’s where I first saw one! Let me know what you think!
Until Next Time!
Hope.