Hers to Hold (1943)

Director:

Frank Ryan

Writers:

Lewis R. Foster (screenplay), John D. Klorer (story)

Stars:

Deanna Durbin, Joseph Cotten, Charles Winninger

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Deanna Durbin	...	Penny Craig
Joseph Cotten	...	Bill Morley
Charles Winninger	...	Judson Craig
Ludwig Stössel	...	Binns
Nella Walker	...	Dorothy Craig
Gus Schilling	...	Rosey Blake
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Dr. Crane
Evelyn Ankers	...	Flo Simpson
Fay Helm	...	Hannah Gordon
Iris Adrian	...	Arlene
Murray Alper	...	Smiley, the Foreman
Douglas Wood	...	Peter Cartwright
Minna Phillips	...	Mrs. Cartwright
Nydia Westman	...	Nurse Willing
Irving Bacon	...	Dr. Bacon

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | world war two | patriotism

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Three Smart Girls Join Up

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one time the original title was Three Smart Girls Join Up.

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Connections

Follows Three Smart Girls (1936)

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Soundtracks

"The Seguidilla"
from opera "Carmen"
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
Sung by Deanna Durbin

User Reviews

"Say a Pray'r for the Boys Over There"

This was Deanna Durbin's third take on Penny Craig, who by now has grown into a beautiful young woman featuring in the gossip columns with tit-bits about her love life. She falls in love with dashing young pilot Bill, even volunteers for work at the aircraft factory where he works, but Bill is afraid to commit to her, and when he learns that he is about to go overseas and join the armed forces, he dumps her. But Penny is nothing if not resourceful ...

This is not among the handful of really wonderful Deanna Durbin vehicles, although sworn fans won't be disappointed. Her character here is a gutsy, no-nonsense go-getter, and it is quite a moving experience to watch and hear her, as she takes the podium in the factory canteen, singing first 'Begin the Beguine', this most glamorous of show smoochers, in her assembly-line outfit, no MGM glitzy witzy style her, and then when she touches everyone's heart with the languid and heartfelt 'Say a Pray'r for the Boys Over There', one of the great Durbin moments.

Joseph Cotten certainly never looked handsomer, oozing charming insolence, as aviator Bill.