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An eccentric Norwegian millionaire & his ice skating niece attempt to make a WINTERTIME success of Quebec's Chateau Promenade.Sonja Henie was Norway's ice queen when she won Olympic gold medals for skating in 1928, 1932 & 1936. After going professional, she began a celebrated movie career at 20th Century Fox in 1936 with her American film debut, ONE IN A MILLION. Beautiful & talented, as well as being a natural in front of the cameras, she carved out her own special niche during Hollywood's Golden Age. Although Miss Henie's ice routines may look antiquated by comparison to modern champions, there was nothing antique about her dazzling smile or sparkling personality. In this regard, some of today's snowflake princesses could still learn a great deal from her.As her career progressed, it became increasingly difficult for 20th Century Fox to find decent stories for Miss Henie and the excuses for the lavish ice dancing numbers were often implausible. No matter. Audiences did not flock to her films to watch Sonja recite Shakespeare. The movies were meant to be pure escapist fantasy, plain & simple.WINTERTIME is no exception and its story is often quite ludicrous. However, the skating episodes are pleasing and there is a generous amount of band music supplied by the Woody Herman Orchestra.Cornel Wilde, far down the cast list & still two years away from major stardom, plays Sonja's love interest, but he's not given much to do. As the Chateau's promoter, Jack Oakie comes across as loud & rather annoying; however cuddly S. Z. Sakall is very amusing as Sonja's harried uncle. Cesar Romero, doing quite well as a big band singer, once again gets to showoff his considerable flair for comedy. (Mr. Romero & Miss Henie make a dynamite dancing duo.)Movie mavens will recognize an uncredited Dick Elliott as an enraged husband chasing Romero.Ultimately, though, this is Sonja's show. She glides effortlessly into the viewer's heart, while balancing on a thin edge of silver, suspended over frozen water.
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