First Love (1939)

An orphaned boarding school graduate secretly attends a prestigious ball, where she falls for the boyfriend of her snobbish cousin.

Director:

Henry Koster

Writers:

Bruce Manning (screenplay), Lionel Houser (screenplay) (as Lionel Hauser)

Stars:

Deanna Durbin, Robert Stack, Eugene Pallette

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Deanna Durbin	...	Constance Harding
Robert Stack	...	Ted Drake
Eugene Pallette	...	James Clinton
Helen Parrish	...	Barbara Clinton
Lewis Howard	...	Walter Clinton
Leatrice Joy	...	Grace Shute Clinton
June Storey	...	Wilma van Everett
Frank Jenks	...	Mike the Cop
Kathleen Howard	...	Miss Wiggins
Thurston Hall	...	Anthony Drake
Marcia Mae Jones	...	Marcia Parker
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Mr. Parker
Doris Lloyd	...	Mrs. Parker
Charles Coleman	...	George
Jack Mulhall	...	Terry

Storyline

In this reworking of Cinderella, orphaned Connie Harding is sent to live with her rich aunt and uncle after graduating from boarding school. She's hardly received with open arms, especially by her snobby cousin Barbara. When the entire family is invited to a major social ball, Barbara sees to it that Connie is forced to stay home. With the aid of her uncle, who acts as her fairy godfather, Connie makes it to the ball and meets her Prince Charming in Ted Drake, her cousin's boyfriend.

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Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | cinderella | new york city | graduation | song | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cinderella

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Deanna Durbin receives her first screen kiss (from Robert Stack).

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Goofs

The position of Connie's and Miss Wiggins' arms as they hug each other.

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Quotes

Miss Wiggins: The trouble with you young people is you don't believe in anything. You're afraid, afraid of hope, afraid of happiness.

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Connections

Featured in Hers to Hold (1943)

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Soundtracks

Un bel di (One Fine Day)
from "Madama Butterfly"
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Sung by Deanna Durbin

User Reviews

A Deanna Durbin Must-See Film

Deanna Durbin and Robert Stack star in this cute romantic comedy, in which Deanna gets her first screen kiss. Upon graduation from a girls' school, she goes to live with her rich and uppity aunt and uncle (particularly the aunt) who have helped her out, since she has lost her parents some time ago. Right away we see their grown-up daughter Barbara is a selfish brat and her brother Walter is a lazy good-for-nothing' who does nothing but loaf about the place, sprawled out over chairs all throughout the film. Deanna is expected to show up, but it's very inconvenient for Barbara when there's no car or chauffeur to take her to a friend's party. As Deanna walks in, Aunt and Barbara leave. It becomes apparent to Deanna that there is no love or communication in this house - from being neglected by them to the fact that when they are there, the man of the house Eugene Palette is out and vice versa. Barbara is practically forced to let Deanna come along to a ball, but when the time comes for the ball, Barbara finds a way to get the better of her. By this time in the movie, you get the comparison of this to Cinderella. But Deanna has someone on her side. When Deanna met Robert Stack, he was Barbara's beau, but then things change. I love enchanting movies like this, from its inventive special effects to its romantic aura it contains. Similar in tone to this are Margaret Sullavan's "The Good Fairy" and Marlene Dietrich's "The Flame of New Orleans." I especially love the scenes when the mother and Barbara are told off. If you love old-fashioned films and Deanna Durbin's beautiful voice, this is one fairy tale not be missed.