Because of Him (1946)

A young woman who wants to break into the theater schemes to become the protege of a famous Broadway star.

Director:

Richard Wallace

Writers:

Edmund Beloin (screenplay), Edmund Beloin (story "Catherine the Last")

Stars:

Deanna Durbin, Charles Laughton, Franchot Tone

Cast

Credited cast:
Deanna Durbin	...	Kim Walker
Charles Laughton	...	John Sheridan
Franchot Tone	...	Paul Taylor
Helen Broderick	...	Nora
Stanley Ridges	...	Charles Gilbert
Donald Meek	...	Martin
Regina Wallace	...	Head Nurse
Charles Halton	...	Mr. Dunlap
Douglas Wood	...	Samual Hapgood
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joan Shawlee	...	Autograph Seeker (as Joan Fulton)

Storyline

A beautiful young woman, an aspiring actress, trick a famous stage star into signing a letter recommending her talents to a producer friend, with amusing results.

---

Plot Keywords:

letter | protege | actress | theater | autograph seeker | 

---

Taglines:

Song FILLED - Laugh PACKED! (original ad - many caps)

---

Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Catherine the Last

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Deanna Durbin was pregnant during the filming of this movie.

---

Goofs

Kim Walker refers to the bird in Charles Gilbert's office as a 'parrot'. It is actually a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, an Australian member of the parrot family.

---

Connections

Featured in Danny Boy: The Ballad That Bewitched the World (2013)

---

Soundtracks

Danny Boy
Music traditional ("Londonderry Air") with lyrics by Frederick Edward Weatherly
Sung and hummed by Deanna Durbin

User Reviews

Songs not needed

Deanna Durban (Miss Walker) tricks her way into starring in playwright Franchot Tone's (Paul Taylor) new play opposite famous actor Charles Laughton (John Sheridan). She has no acting experience, but while Laughton encourages her, Tone is keen to see her fail and removes his name from the performance's credits.

This film is a comedy that has several amusing moments, eg, Laughton's treatment of his butler Donald Meek (Martin), and his scene with Durban when he teaches her how to fake a faint properly. Charles Laughton is the powerhouse of the film with an over-the-top performance that works. The film is only let down by Durban's terrible singing of "Danny Boy". She has 3 songs, which she delivers in that high-pitched, operatic, warbly voice - two of them are okay but "Danny Boy" - just shut up Durban! The song is already crap and your rendition of it is really painful to endure. The film loses momentum at this point.

Anyway, the singing of "Danny Boy" provides an important stage in the plot as, after Durban has tortured us with this flop of a song, Laughton becomes sympathetic to her wishes and decides to help her. God knows why. The fact that she can sing is not an indication that she can act. So he behaves out of character and his sudden confidence in her makes no sense.

The film is essentially a romance that doesn't really convince but it is entertaining viewing. Whilst the songs in this film are not needed, the film is lightweight fluff that doesn't make a lot of sense but it has some funny moments and the cast all perform well.