Product Details

• Actors: Deanna Durbin, Robert Stack, Eugene Pallette, Helen Parrish, Lewis Howard
• Directors: Henry Koster
• Writers: Bruce Manning, Gertrude Purcell, Henry Myers, Lionel Houser, Stephen Morehouse Avery
• Producers: Henry Koster, Joe Pasternak
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: November 27, 1996
• Run Time: 84 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303929958
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,709 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Not even the minor distraction of an imminent world war could keep this pleasing Cinderella tale from making international headlines in 1939, thanks to its much-anticipated delivery of Deanna Durbin's first screen kiss. It's planted by lanky Robert Stack, making his movie debut; along with the tune "Amapola," the film is noteworthy for a typically gruff-charming performance from stocky Eugene Pallette, as the uncle who befriends orphaned Deanna. (Offscreen, Durbin would soon find first love of her own, marrying Universal assistant director Vaughn Paul in the first of three trips down the aisle.) --Steven Smith

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Deanna Durbin Cannon, August 20, 2002

By 

CodeMaster Talon (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Love [VHS] (VHS Tape)

For those who are wondering what all the fuss over singing star Deanna Durbin is, "First Love" is a great place to find out.

A truly sweet retelling of the classic Cinderella fable, this gentle film rolls along at a steady pace with fun songs and quite of bit of humor. Deanna stars as a poor orphan coming to live with her rich relatives, most of whom are not very nice.

Along the way she meets and falls for a wealthy young man, played by a very young Robert Stack. Deanna sings Puccini's "One Fine Day" among other classics and basically charms everyone in sight (even my best friend loved Deanna in this film , and she hates black and white movies because they "confuse" her).

"First Love" is an absolute must-have for Durbin fans and a great additon to any Classic Film lover's library.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect Deanna Durbin film!, April 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: First Love [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This wonderful film has my vote for the BEST Deanna Durbin film ever made. "First Love" presents Deanna as an orphaned teenager who goes to live with her uncle's rich family... and boy, are they a bunch! The perfect cast includes Eugene Pallette as the harried uncle who can't stand his family, Leatrice Joy as the ditzy aunt, Helen Parrish as a deliciously mean and spoiled cousin who jealously tries to keep Deanna from attending the big party of the season, and a very young and handsome Robert Stack as New York's most eligible bachelor.

The plot has a certain not-too-accidental resemblance to a fairy tale that we all know and love, and it provides Deanna with the perfect showcase for her magnificent voice: "Amapola", Strauss's "Spring Song", and Puccini's "One Fine Day" from Madam Butterfly, one of the most famous arias in all opera. It makes you wish that singers with this kind of talent still made movies today.

Unfortunately, this film, like most of Deanna's, is never shown on television. Home video was made in order to allow us to enjoy gems like this one that would otherwise never be rediscovered. Sound and picture quality are exceptional for a film of this vintage... TRUST me on this one -- you won't be disappointed!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Deanna's Best, March 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: First Love [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although it's over sixty years since it was released, "First Love" still holds up exceedingly well, partially due to the skill of director Henry Koster, and partially due to Deanna's charm and singing ability. Typically, the studio surrounded their star with outstanding character actors. Though just shy of eighteen, her voice displayed surprising competence and she was rapidly becoming a skilled comedienne. The print and soundtrack are excellent, especially considering the age and recording techniques of the time. This one is a winner! - for entertainment, and for memorabilia purposes.