You Were Never Lovelier (1942)

In Buenos Aires, a man who has decreed that his daughters must marry in order of age allows an American dancer to perform at his club under the condition that he play suitor to his second-oldest daughter.

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

Michael Fessier (screenplay), Ernest Pagano (screenplay)

Stars:

Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Adolphe Menjou

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fred Astaire	...	Robert Davis
Rita Hayworth	...	Maria Acuña
Adolphe Menjou	...	Eduardo Acuña
Isobel Elsom	...	Mrs. Maria Castro
Leslie Brooks	...	Cecy Acuña
Adele Mara	...	Lita Acuña
Gus Schilling	...	Fernando
Barbara Brown	...	Mrs. Delfina Acuña
Douglas Leavitt	...	Juan Castro
Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra	...	Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

Storyline

The Acunas, a rich Argentine family, have the tradition that the daughters have to get married in order, oldest first. When sister #1 gets married, sisters #3 and #4 put pressure on Maria, sister #2, because they have their husbands picked out already. But Maria hasn't yet met a man she likes. Eduardo Acuna, believing that men aren't romantic enough these days, sends his daughter flowers and anonymous love letters, creating a "mystery man" for her to fall in love with. He intends to pick out an appropriate beau for her later, to fill the role. But Robert Davis, an American dancer looking for work, stumbles into the picture. Maria falls for him, but the father does not approve.

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Plot Keywords:

father follows family tradition regarding daughters' marriage | song | singer | singing | song in title | 

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Taglines:

Hayworth's glowing beauty! Astaire's glorious rhythm! Kern's greatest score since "Show Boat"!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "I'm Old Fashioned" was recorded by more than a dozen singers including Margaret Whiting and Andy Williams and was on the top hit charts for more than six weeks.

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Goofs

When Mr. Acuña opposes to attend Robert, Robert leans both his folded hands on his hips. In the following shot his hands are not folded any more.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Robert Davis: [hailing a taxi from the racetrack] Hotel Acuna please.
[upon arrival, a sign reads - Xavier Cugat In The Sky Room]
Robert Davis: Eh, what's his name?
Hotel Acuña Bellboy: Uh, Eduardo Ecuna. He's the big boss, here's his office.
Robert Davis: Oh, thanks. Oh, boy...
[reaches in his pocket for a tip but doesn't have any money]
Robert Davis: ... huh, I'll get ya later. Thanks.
[pats him on the back and enters Mr. Scuna's office for a dancing position business proposition]

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Connections

Featured in Gooby (2009)

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Soundtracks

Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)
(1850) (uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Written by Richard Wagner
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra at the wedding

User Reviews

Pop Quiz

Pop quiz: Who was Fred Astaire's favorite female dancing partner? If your answer is the obvious one, Ginger Rogers, guess again. Cyd Charisse, Vera-Ellen, Judy Garland, Joan Leslie, Eleanor Powell? Still wrong. Surprisingly, Astaire long maintained that his favorite was none other than Rita Hayworth. Rita, he once said, could be taught a complicated piece of choreography in the morning and have it down pat after lunch! The two made a pair of films together, "You'll Never Get Rich" in 1941 and "You Were Never Lovelier" in '42. A look at Hayworth's work in the latter film will demonstrate what a remarkable learner she apparently was. She and Fred share several musical numbers here, including the moonlit garden waltz to "I'm Old Fashioned" and the remarkably high-spirited and dynamic "Shorty George," and the two do make a marvelous pair. As for the rest of the film, it is a typical Astaire comedy, replete with mistaken identities, concerning Rita's father, Adolphe Menjou, convincing Fred to impersonate the fictitious lover that he has devised for her. The viewer must wait almost 40 full minutes to see Fred dance in this one, but that wait is well repaid when Astaire explodes in a brash and frenetic audition number for ol' Adolphe. The film's script is bright and amusing, Xavier Cugat's orchestra adds colorful support, and Rita is at least as beautiful, if not more so, than in 1946's overrated "Gilda." Bottom line: This is no Fred & Ginger picture, but it sure does have its compensations...Rita Hayworth surely being one of them.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 November 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tuesday's Orchids

Box Office

Gross USA:

$672,900

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1