Customer Reviews

His Butler's Sister [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really like this film. OK, the plot isn't brilliant but when it comes to Deanna Durbin and her amazing voice, you won't find a much better film than this.

The 'Russian Medley' and 'Nessun Dorma' are fantastic - I'm in awe when I listen.

The film revolves around Ann Carter (Durbin) going to stay with her brother, Martin (Pat O'Brien) a rather shady character who's told her he's better off than he actually is.

She wants to make it bigtime as a singer and when she learns that her brother's boss, Charles Gerard (Franchot Tone) is a famous songwriter/playwright she gets herself hired by him as a maid.

What follows is quite an amusing film where she constantly tries to sing for Gerard, but keeps getting prevented. Of course, then she falls for him and he her, but, Martin, doesn't like it and decides to ruin the day.

Add to the mix about seven butlers from the other households within the apartment building who develop a crush on her and do their utmost to please her and aggravate each other and you've got yourself quite a funny movie.

True, the plot and writing isn't a great standard, but it's still a very charming, feel good film that's very easy to watch.

A definite must for all fans of Ms. Durbin.

Though hailed as one of her hits from the 40's, the film itself is routine and makes her up to be this goddess figure through the film (all 7 of the butlers hopelessly fall in love with her) and having Franchot Tone as her leading man did not help matters either. On the Lux Radio program, Robert Paige had played the role (her co-star in "CAN'T HELP SINGING") and seem to be a much better choice, but his name was not big enough as yet--(it never got any bigger either). However, this happens to be one of my favorite Durbin picture, since this is the first "grown-up" film I have ever seen of hers. She is simply gorgeous in the film (possibly the prettiest, despite the fact that they gave her 3 different eyebrows..one thicker, one pencil-thin (a left over from her previous film HERS TO HOLD), and the third one in-between. Watch the first number, her eyebrows change in mid-song, twice!) and the songs are all out of this world. IN THE SPIRIT OF THE MOMENT, WHEN YOU'RE AWAY, RUSSIAN MEDLEY, and finally, NESSUN DORMA (The Prince). Great selection for a fabulous talent. The British people would kill me if they read this review, since this film is a cult classic over there, but let's be honest about the script. It is Hollywood fluff. But it is also extremely enjoyable, and I do remember not being able to keep my eyes off the screen for a second. It is simply wonderful as an entertainment piece. So, despite what anyone says, I would say it is one of her best.

This endearing film from director Frank Borzage is filled with the warmth and charm of its star, Deanna Durbin. An original screenplay fashioned for Deanna by Samuel Hoffenstein and Beth Reinhardt and a glossy production from Universal really make this one of Deanna's best films. A great cast which includes Franchot Tone, Pat O'Brien, Akim Tamiroff and Elsa Janssen lend sparkling support to Deanna's joyous performance as Ann Carter.

Ann is on her way from Indiana to New York by train to live with her rich half-brother while she tries to become a broadway musical star. She wants to sing for composer Charles Gerard (Franchot Tone) and just misses her chance when she finds out he is on her train. When her half-brother Martin (Pat O'Brien) turns out to be only a butler, her hopes sink low until she discovers he is the butler in the swanky New York penthouse of you know who!

Martin plays the ponies more than he works but since his main job is keeping away girls who want to sing for Charles Gerard, he has his hands full. It gets even more complicated when Gerard mistakes Ann for the new maid and she is right under Gerard's nose and Martin's feet! Elsa Janssen is wonderful as the housekeeper Severena, who takes a shine to the sweet Ann. She isn't the only one, however, taken with Ann's smile and effervescence.

Some very funny moments are given birth from Ann's effect on every butler in the building. They are all enamored of her and do everything they can to compete for her affections. Akim Tamiroff is foremost of these as Martin's Russian pal Popoff. Ann of course, begins to fall for her boss Gerard who is about to dump his latest work and run off to Maine with his society girlfriend Elizabeth Campbell (Evelyn Ankers).

She finally gets to sing but in an only in the movies mix-up Charles thinks it was the radio. When they do get together she forgets all about the music and the two fall in love. But her brother feels threatened and also thinks Gerard might just be fooling around. This causes Charles to make plans for Maine again, but true love may make him stay.

Tone is excellent as the wealthy but down to earth Gerard and Deanna simply glows in fashions by Adrian. A walk home holding hands and a kiss goodnight are filled with romance and magic, as is this film. There are, of course, some wonderful musical interludes, including "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's "Turnadot" and the beautiful "In the Spirit of the Moment."

This sweet fable of "the day before yesterday" as it calls itself is a must for Deanna's fans and a fine film in its own right. A real gem from the last rose of summer, Deanna Durbin.

It's incredible the scripts Universal put Deanna Durin through. This one is screwy start to finish, not helped much by Franchot Tone's awkward performance (I guess being married to Joan Crawford didn't make life easy for him) and a script that at no point makes any sense. The funniest aspect is destitute Deanna wearing a high fashion wardrobe throughout (Adrian, I believe) and making a brief reference to it with a straight face. Her musical performances are nothing short of divine, with "Nessun Dorma" simply brilliant. What a voice and what a talent! The production values and supporting cast as usual are toprate all the way but largely when you've seen one Durbin film scriptwise you've seen them all. Imagine what kind of career she would have had at M-G-M (I know Louis B. Mayer never got over letting her get away). She never even would have done this kind of film. No wonder she left Hollywood behind.

Those who enjoy Deanna Durbin's singing will like this movie. Her rendition of "Nessun Dorma" and the "Russian Medley" are among my favorites. The high rating I have given this film is because of her performances. The story is not up to the standards of some of Deanna's other movies, and the writing could use more maturity.

One of Deanna Durbin's best movies of the period, HIS BUTLER'S SISTER (1943) features the adorable songbird in a comedic story of mixed identities and showbusiness dreams. Co-starring with Franchot Tone, one of her most formidable and appealing leading men, Deanna shines brightly here!

Stagestruck teen Ann Carter (Deanna Durbin) gets off the train in New York city, and goes to stay with her rich older brother (Pat O'Brien) in his ritzy mansion. Unbeknownst to Ann, he's actually the butler of young Broadway composer Charles Gerard (Franchot Tone). Desperate to appear on the stage one way or another, Ann plays along with her brother and becomes the new maid, in a bid to kick-start her showbiz career. All manner of hilarious comic hijinks and mixed identities ensue before Ann's musical dreams are realised...and Charles falls head over heels for his butler's sister!

Deanna gets to sing "In the Spirit of the Moment", "When You're Away", and a medley of classical Russian pieces. She closes the film with her own dramatic take on Puccini's "Nessun Dorma". Franchot Tone was one of Durbin's favourite male co-stars; he also shared the screen with her in the enjoyable NICE GIRL? (1941) and BECAUSE OF HIM (1946). Keep an eye out for legendary character actress/comedienne Iris Adrian in the opening scene.

...more like it! Deanna gives a lovely performance in a mid war film which is the reason fake food was used as the disclosure at the beginning of the film tells us. This film features the second teaming of Deanna and Franchot Tone which reminds me of his several teamings with Jean Harlow. In fact this film is a nice way to view Franchot ten years after his first teaming with Harlow in 1933's Bombshell. While still handsome, his youthful shine is gone. Deanna on the other hand has her eyebrows experimented on in this film. The thinner the uglier imo. This film was Deanna's truer entry into adulthood before Christmas Holiday and after It Started With Eve. The butler in this film is played by Pat O'Brien and he excels. Its a charming film worth your time if only for one of the best endings in Deanna's short film history. Sweet songs round out this enjoyable film.

One of Deanna Durbin's best movies of the period, HIS BUTLER'S SISTER (1943) features the adorable songbird in a comedic story of mixed identities and showbusiness dreams. Co-starring with Franchot Tone, one of her most formidable and appealing leading men, Deanna shines brightly here!

Stagestruck teen Ann Carter (Deanna Durbin) gets off the train in New York city, and goes to stay with her rich older brother (Pat O'Brien) in his ritzy penthouse apartment. Unbeknownst to Ann, he's actually the butler of young Broadway composer Charles Gerard (Franchot Tone). Desperate to appear on the stage one way or another, Ann plays along with her brother and becomes the new maid, in a bid to kick-start her showbiz career. All manner of hilarious comic hijinks and mixed identities ensue before Ann's musical dreams are realised...and Charles falls head over heels for his butler's sister!

Deanna gets to sing "In the Spirit of the Moment", "When You're Away", and a medley of classical Russian pieces. She closes the film with her own dramatic take on Puccini's "Nessun Dorma". Franchot Tone was one of Durbin's favourite male co-stars; he also shared the screen with her in the enjoyable NICE GIRL? (1941) and BECAUSE OF HIM (1946). Keep an eye out for legendary character actress/comedienne Iris Adrian in the opening scene.

Since I have bought this video I have watched the film about 40 times,the voice of Deanna Durbin is just incredible,I have all her films but this one has to be the best for me,they don't make films like this anymore.
I am now waiting for this to come out in colour and on DVD then I will also add it to my collection.
Thanks to Amazon for providing all the golden oldies keep it up a very satified customer Thanks again for a great service.

This must be the lowest budget movie made starring Deanna Durbin. What's up with the fake food? Where they limited because of the war effort? But as usual, beautiful Deanna with her great voice makes this movie worth watching.