His Butler's Sister

1943

Technical Information:

Studio: Universal
Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Black and White
Video Availability: Available on MCA/Universal home video.

Cast:

Deanna Durbin...Ann Carter
Franchot Tone...Charles Gerard
Pat O'Brien...Martin Murphy
Akim Tamiroff...Popoff
Alan Mowbray...Jenkins
Walter Catlett...Kalb
Elsa Jannsen...Severina
Evelyn Ankers...Elizabeth Campbell
Frank Jenks...Emmett
Sig Arno...Moreno
Hans Conreid...Reeves
Florence Bates...Lady Sloughberry
Roscoe Karns...Fields
Russell Hicks...Sanderson
Andrew Tombes...Brophy
Stephanie Bachelor...Dot Stanley
Marion Pierce...Margaret Howard
Iris Adrian...Sunshine Twin
Robin Raymond...Sunshine Twin

Credits:

Original Screenplay...Samuel Hoffenstein, Betty Reinhardt
Director of Photography...Woody Bredell, A.S.C.
Art Direction...John B. Goodman, Martin Obzina
Set Decorations...R.A. Gausman, T.F. Offenbecker
Film Editor...Ted Kent
Gowns...Vera West
Assistant Director...Lew Borzage
Special Photography...John P. Fulton, A.S.C.
Miss Durbin's Gowns...Adrian
Songs Directed by...Charles Previn
Music Score...H.J. Salter
Vocal Coach...Andres de Segurola
Sound Director..Bernard B. Brown
Technician...Joseph Lapis
Produced by...Felix Jackson
Directed by...Frank Borzage

    On a train to New York, word gets out that famous Broadway composer Charles Gerard (Franchot Tone) is on board. A novelty act known as the Sunshine Twins (Iris Adrian, Robin Raymond) auditions for him outside of his compartment, which upsets him. He tells the porter to keep everyone away from him.
    Meanwhile, Ann Carter (Deanna Durbin), a young singer hoping to make it big overhears the Sunshine Twins talking about Charles Gerard. She decides to find him and audition for him as well, though she ends up singing for a girdle salesman! Gerard, who gets off the train at Cleveland, hears the beautiful voice but doesn't have time to find out whose it is.
    Ann finally arrives in New York and goes to see her much older half-brother Martin Murphy (Pat O'Brien). He had recently sent her an envelope full of money, and she used it to travel to New York to see him, and also to get her big break. She is enchanted with his beautiful penthouse and is surprised when he tells her that he is not rich like he had led her to believe, but is actually Charles Gerard's butler!
    He informs her that she cannot stay there, since his boss will be upset but lets her stay the night since Gerard is Cleveland. She tells him that she would be glad to help him out with his chores to repay him for letting her stay.
    The next morning, Ann makes friends with the cook Severina (Elsa Jannsen). Then, while she is vacuuming the floor underneath the piano she is interrupted by Charles Gerard, who has returned early. He believes that she is the new maid. Ann decides not to tell him that she is Martin's sister, believing that she will finally get her chance to audition for him.
    When Martin hears that Ann is going to be the new maid, he is upset. Severina blackmails him into letting her stay on though, since he does not actually do as much work as he is supposed to. He reluctantly agrees but warns her that she must do her fair share and not audition. She gets to work immediately, going to the market and befriending a group of butlers (Akim Tamiroff, Alan Mowbray, Frank Jenks, Hans Conreid) along the way.
    Gerard throws a party the next night, and invites his friends, including Broadway producer Kalb (Walter Catlett) and his girlfriend Elizabeth Campbell (Evelyn Ankers). The guests like Ann a lot. Meanwhile, Elizabeth informs Charles that she is going to be staying in Maine, and invites him to join her. He agrees, since he is having trouble writing new songs.
    The next morning, Martin tells Gerard that Ann should be let go, since he is leaving for Maine and the extra help won't be needed. Gerard agrees and gives her four weeks notice. Ann is disheartened when Gerard tells her she is fired. While he is in the bathroom, she finally gets her chance to sing for him, though he believes it is the radio and has no idea it was actually her!
    Ann then goes to see Kalb, hoping to audition for him and maybe get a part in a play. Their meeting is interrupted by Gerard who informs Kalb that he can't write any more songs and that their play will have to be abandoned. Ann tells Gerard how much she loves his songs, and that he shouldn't give up, and he tells her to mind her own business.
    That night, Popoff is having a party at a restaurant and Ann is invited. Gerard tells her goodbye before he leaves for Maine but she is still upset over what happened at Kalb's office. She has fun at the party though, dancing and singing.
    Then, Charles Gerard shows up at the restaurant. He dances with Ann and tells her that he missed his train since he finally realized that she was right and that he would stay in town and write more songs. They walk home in the dark, hand in hand, and in love.
    Before she goes to bed, she is confronted by an angry Martin. He tells her that she shouldn't get involved with Gerard since he doesn't want to lose his job and also because he doesn't want her to get hurt. She won't listen however and insists they are both in love.
    The next morning at breakfast, Martin tells Gerard that Ann was only using him to further her career, that she wanted to audition for him and that was it. Gerard, feeling foolish since he thought Ann was actually in love with him, covers up by saying she means nothing to him, and is only another girl. He then calls Ann into the room, sits down at the piano and asks her to audition. Confused by what's going on, she refuses and he tells her to leave. Martin, realizing that what he did to his sister was a mistake, steps in and is fired by Gerard.
    The next morning, Ann is packed and ready to head back home to Centerville, Indiana. Martin tells her to stay and offers to be her manager, saying that she can get a big break. She tells him that she no longer wants to sing. He then tells her to go to the Butler's Ball being held that night.
    Martin then invites both Kalb and Gerard to the ball. Gerard is not let in however, since he doesn't have an invitation. When asked if he knows him, Martin, acting like he is still mad, replies he doesn't. Gerard only manages to get in when he sees Severina and poses as her cousin. He then finds out that Ann and Martin are brother and sister.
    Then, it is announced that a new singer will be performing. Gerard is shocked to hear Ann Carter's name announced, and is surprised when he hears how well she sings. Kalb is also impressed. Ann and Gerard are then reunited. Martin has mended his mistake by not only bringing his sister and boss together, but by also giving her her big break with Kalb.

Songs:

[Songs performed by Deanna Durbin in boldface]
"Is it True What They Say About Dixie?" (Caesar, Lerner, Marx)
"In the Spirit of the Moment" (Grossman, Jurmann)
"When You're Away" (Herbert, Blossom)
"Russian Medley" (Various)
"Nessun Dorma" (Puccini)

Academy Awards and Nominations:

Best Sound, Recording (Bernard B. Brown - nominee)

Reviews:

"Deanna Durbin gives a joyous performance and has grown up beautifully."
- The Hollywood Reporter

My Review:

Deanna Durbin gives one of her best performances (at least, in my opinion) in this wonderful film. She gets to play some of her most dramatic love scenes with Franchot Tone (who also gives a good performance) and also gets to sing four lovely songs. The end of the film, when she sings the stirring "Nessun Dorma" and then runs through the crowded audience to embrace Tone is probably my favorite scene out of all of her films. With romance, comedy, music and drama His Butler's Sister is one fantastic film!

Notes:

Watch in the beginning of the film (especially the scene where Deanna sings to the girdle salesman) as the shape and thickness of her eyebrows change from shot to shot!

Picture credits:
1. Video cover scanned by webmaster.
2. Publicity still scanned by webmaster.
3. Movie still scanned by webmaster.

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