Product Details

• Actors: Deanna Durbin, Edmond O'Brien, Barry Fitzgerald, Arthur Treacher, Harry Davenport
• Directors: Bruce Manning, Jean Renoir
• Writers: Boris Ingster, Frank Ryan, Hans Jacoby, Leo Townsend, Sonya Levien
• Producers: Bruce Manning
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: January 19, 1999
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783229704
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,797 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deanna Durbin in a movie that has it all!, June 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Amazing Mrs Holliday [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is, in my opinion, one of Deanna Durbin's most underrated screen vehicles (the other being "Something in the Wind"). "The Amazing Mrs. Holliday" is a film that has it all - action, suspense, drama, comedy, romance and (with Deanna on board) music! This was Deanna's most dramatic film to date. As a young woman forced to flee China with eight young war orphans, Deanna shows what a talented actress she actually is. She also sings some beautiful songs (including "Mighty Lak' a Rose"). Throw in Barry Fitzgerald for some comedy, and Edmond O'Brien for romance and you have a wonderful little film that is sure to brighten your view of the world! Overall, one of Deanna's greatest pictures.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deanna tries to find a way to care for eight war orphans., June 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Amazing Mrs Holliday [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a most unusual Deanna Durbin film. In this movie, Deanna is a missionary returning from China with eight war orphans. The movie is partially nararrated by Deanna herself as she recounts the story of how she found the orphans and brought them to America. It is very touching although it has a few comic twists. Barry Fitzgerald is his delightful self and causes her no end of trouble. In the end she is the proud mama of NINE war orphans and has found them a very charming daddy. We really enjoyed this film even though it wasn't Deanna's usual style. It showed us that she was certainly capable of playing a more serious role.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm Tender and Sweet, March 20, 2005

By 

Bobby Underwood "starlighthotel" (Manly NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Amazing Mrs Holliday [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This warm and tender drama is one of the most fondly remembered films in the career of Deanna Durbin. She never gave a lovelier performance than in this film about children orphaned in war-torn southern China and the Christian Missionary teacher who tries to save as many as she can by bringing them to America. How she does so in spite of all the obstacles in their way gives birth to a story filled with drama and humor, and even allows for some beautiful songs by Durbin within the framework of the story.

One of the most moving moments in the film comes almost immediately when Ruth Kirke (Durbin) explains to the captain of the steamship they have boarded what she knows about each of the eight children and how they came to be with her. There is a warmth and sincerity in her words which are quite natural and heartfelt. We never doubt for a moment how much she cares for the children who have become her own, or how determined she will be to find them a home once in San Francisco.

Barry Fitzgerald is endearing as the crusty first mate who helps her when the steamship is sunk by the Japanese, and she loses the Captain who had promised to sponsor them. He takes her to the wealthy shipping family to plead for money, which somehow ends up in Durbin having wed the much older Captain before he went down with the ship. While this may provide a home for the children in a mansion, it creates some humorous and sweet moments that make this one of Durbin's best films.

Matters become even more complicated when the captain's grandson returns from sea and starts to fall for both the children and, well, his grandmother! A very young Edmond O'brien is excellent as the grandson, suspicious of Ruth's motives at first, but falling slowly under the spell of a girl who may not be able to walk in high heels, but who looks wonderful in an evening gown. There are a few more surprises awaiting viewers I don't want to spoil.

Though co-director Jean Renoir and Deanna Durbin had originally intended the film to be a more focused and artistic film about the orphans of war, there are enough sweet and heartrending moments left in this Hollywood version to make the point. Universal may have fashioned what was meant to be a more substantive film from Renoir and Durbin for box office appeal, highlighting Deanna's talents, but nearly 60 years later it is hard for Durbin fans to argue with this wonderful film, one of her last big hits. The music was nominated for an Academy Award and Deanna's performance could easily have been as well.

One of the last parting gifts from the Last Rose of Summer before she walked away from Hollywood forever, this is a must own for Deanna's fans, and an excellent choice for classic film fans. A reminder of how wholesome and entertaining films used to be.