This is a really cute modern day version of Cinderella.
Constance "Connie" Harding (Deanna Durbin) is a penniless orphan girl who's just graduated from boarding school, She is sent to live with her wealthy Uncle James Clinton (Eugene Pallette) (who paid for her to go to school) and his family in New York.
The only friends she has are the servants, her uncle is involved in his work, and ignores his family, her aunt is flighty, her cousin Barbra (Helen Parrish) is bratty and snobbish, and her cousin, Walter (Lewis Howard) is super lazy and cynical.
Connie is excited when the family is invited to a ball given by the socially prominent Drake family.
The only thing she has to wear to the ball is her rather out-of-fashion graduation dress, so the servants secretly buy her a new outfit.
Because of a lie Barbra told, Connie is ordered to to stay home from the ball.
The servants have arranged to detain the her aunt and cousins till midnight, so she can go to the ball, as long as she's back before then.
They also have arranged for her to be escorted to the ball by police men on six white motorcycles.
Connie charms everyone at the ball when she sings "Spring in My Heart,"
and the Drake's son, Ted (Robert Stack) is smitten with her.
Ted asks her to dance and they spend the rest of the evening dancing together and fall in love.
At midnight Connie runs away from the ball, and one of her slippers fall off.
Ted finds the slipper, and of course goes looking for her.
The rest of the movie is about Connie running away because Barbra told her a lie about Ted;
and Ted searching for her.
Deanna Durbin sings some lovely songs in this movie.
"Home Sweet Home,"
"Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy),"
"Un bel di (One Fine Day)"
First Love is a very cute version of
Cinderella, and it's my favorite fairy tale I've seen.
I wrote this post for The 2021 Classic Literature on Film Blogathon hosted by Silver Screen Classics
https://silverscreenclassicsblog.wordpress.com/
I really enjoyed the way you told this story! Those images captivated me. Actually, you had me at Eugene Pallette!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad you liked it. :)
DeleteLovely post. This is an adorable movie, perfect for a sunny day or a rainy day. Deanna Durbin's talent is awe inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is a cute movie. :)
DeleteIt's been years since I've seen a Deanna Durbin film as they have not been on TV since I was a kid many years ago. People forget just what a huge box office draw she was. I've never heard of this one and it sounds like an interesting take on the traditional Cinderella story. I'll have to see if I can track down a way to view it. Thank so much for taking part and supporting the blogathon! Hope you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me join! it was a lot of fun. :)
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