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Three Smart Girls (1936)The three Craig sisters, in Switzerland with their ten-years-divorced mother, run away to New York to prevent their father from marrying calculating socialite Donna Lyons. The overpowering ... See full summary » Director:Henry Koster |
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Title: Three Smart Girls (1936)
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Nominated for 3 Oscars.
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Cast
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Binnie Barnes | ... |
Donna Lyons
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Charles Winninger | ... | |
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Alice Brady | ... |
Mrs. Lyons
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| Ray Milland | ... |
Lord Michael Stuart
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| Mischa Auer | ... |
Count Arisztid
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Ernest Cossart | ... | |
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Lucile Watson | ... |
Martha
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John 'Dusty' King | ... |
Bill Evans
(as John King)
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| Nella Walker | ... | ||
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Hobart Cavanaugh | ... |
Wilbur Lamb
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Nan Grey | ... | |
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Barbara Read | ... | |
| Deanna Durbin | ... | ||
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
The three Craig sisters, in Switzerland with their ten-years-divorced mother, run away to New York to prevent their father from marrying calculating socialite Donna Lyons. The overpowering vivacity of the Smart Girls (nominal ages 14-20) sweeps all before it, but a romantic complication between middle sister Kay and their accidental ally, Lord Michael Stuart, threatens shipwreck to their schemes... Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
20 December 1936 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Trois jeunes filles à la page See more »Filming Locations:
Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA See more »Box Office
Budget:
$326,000 (estimated)Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Penny Craig: Why didn't you stop her?
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(1843) (uncredited)
from "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61"
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
In the score when wedding rings are shown
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Did You Know?
Goofs
In the gymnasium, Penny's hair ribbon changes when her father comes in. See more »Quotes
Judson Craig: Do you realize that I have guests downstairs, that Miss Lyons was singing? I thought the ceiling would come down!Penny Craig: Why didn't you stop her?
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Soundtracks
"The Wedding March"(1843) (uncredited)
from "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61"
Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
In the score when wedding rings are shown
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This charming, funny movie combines Deanna Durbin's numerous talents with a far-fetched but enjoyable story, a set of interesting characters, and a cast and settings that make it all work. It combines the feel of the old screwball comedies with a little of the pace of a vintage musical, and a dash of commentary on family life. The combination works well, and is not as easy as it looks, as is so often demonstrated by the numerous gauche, hammy "family comedies" of more recent years.
Although she was quite young at the time, Durbin already had quite a singing voice, and she also had the kind of stage presence that allows her young character to take command of a scene in ways that would otherwise seem forced. She and the other two of the "Three Smart Girls" make a winning and energetic set of heroines. The rest of the cast members do well, too, and several of them have some very good moments. Charles Winninger makes the indecisive father very believable, Ray Milland's smooth, slightly exaggerated performance fits in nicely, Mischa Auer steals a number of scenes, and Binnie Barnes keeps her "other woman" character from being a stereotype.
Despite having a short career, Deanna Durbin left behind several very pleasant, enjoyable pictures that are worth the trouble to find for fans of classic cinema. This early feature is particularly charming.