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 uniformed maid "Louise" goes to the door to receive the orchids wearing high-heeled, shiny patent leather, peep-toe pumps. Hardly appropriate shoes for a maid! A couple of scenes later, Rita goes to the door wearing the same shoes.

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Goofs

During Davis's big dance number in Acuna's office, he tap dances over part of a throw rug. The sound of his taps are the same as when he taps on the hardwood floor of the room, revealing that the taps are dubbed onto the soundtrack.

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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

Referenced in X-Men: First Class (2011)

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Soundtracks

The Shorty George
(1942) (uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Arranged by Lyle 'Spud' Murphy
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra and sung by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth and an offscreen chorus
Danced by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth

User Reviews

Just when you think Rita Hayworth couldn't be more gorgeous...

she is - this time in "You Were Never Lovelier," a 1942 film starring Fred Astaire, Adolphe Menjou, and Xavier Cugat along with Hayworth. Menjou plays Eduardo Acuna, the father of four daughters in Argentina, and according to tradition, the girls must marry in order. Second to be married is Maria (Hayworth). Unfortunately, in this case, the two younger daughters have suitors and Maria has no interest in marriage or in any of the dozens of men who have tried to win her heart. Her father hatches a plan to send her orchids and letters from a secret admirer. Then he plans for the secret admirer to disappear, hoping that she'll then turn to an ordinary man. When he has a dancer, Bob Davis (Astaire) who is trying to get a job in the club deliver the orchids, Maria thinks that Davis is her secret admirer. The two wind up falling in love, which doesn't fit in with Dad's plans.

Hayworth's first entrance in this is as she gives her sister something for her wedding. She's so gorgeous it's ridiculous. It's said that during the making of Blood & Sand, Tyrone Power was so enamored of Hayworth that he couldn't stop staring at her (and in fact, she's one of the few women who could match him looks-wise). Not surprising. What's wonderful about this film is that Hayworth wears fabulous gowns and dances with Fred Astaire. They make a terrific pair, and Astaire loved working with her. When they dance to "I'm Old Fashioned," it's as if they're floating on a cloud. She seems to bring out a sweet side to Astaire's acting, and the character he plays is less sure of himself than the Astaire roles usually are. And of course, he dances like a dream, with a wonderful audition solo for Menjou.

For this writer, there were many beautiful women in Hollywood. But two were the complete movie star package with superior beauty, personality, and raw sex appeal - Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner. Rita, with her wonderful dance talent, probably has a slight edge. It's tragic that her personal life was so sad and that she herself was such a troubled woman. It just doesn't seem fair to be that sensational and that miserable at the same time.

This is a lovely, romantic film produced specifically for the World War II audience - while we're not going through World War II today, most of us are depressed enough that we could be, so it's still a great watch.

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