15/10/2024
Classic Films
Mad About Music (February 1, 1938)
"Mad About Music" (1938) showcases Deanna Durbin as Universal Pictures' answer to Shirley Temple, offering a more mature voice that appealed to adult audiences. This musical comedy, directed by Norman Taurog, was Durbin's third starring role and continued her streak of box office successes that had previously saved Universal from bankruptcy.
The plot, reminiscent of Shirley Temple films, follows Gloria (Durbin), a young American girl in a Swiss boarding school who invents an adventurous father to impress her classmates. When her story is doubted, she enlists traveling composer Richard Todd (Herbert Marshall) to play the role of her father. The narrative culminates in Gloria finally getting the family she's always dreamed of, a heartwarming conclusion typical of the era's feel-good cinema.
Durbin's powerful operetta-style voice set her apart from Temple's cute singing and dancing, making her a unique draw for audiences. Her talent was recognized with a Juvenile Oscar Award in 1938, shared with Mickey Rooney. The film itself garnered four Oscar nominations, including Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Original Story, and Best Scoring, testament to its technical and artistic merits.
The cast is a veritable who's who of actors who would go on to make significant contributions to entertainment in the following decades. William Frawley, who plays Gloria's mother's agent, later became a household name as Fred Mertz in "I Love Lucy" and Uncle Charley in "My Three Sons." Arthur Treacher, known for playing kind butlers in Shirley Temple films, appears as Todd's valet and would later become Merv Griffin's sidekick and appear in Disney's "Mary Poppins."
The film's connections to other beloved franchises are numerous. Marcie Mae Jones, who plays Gloria's roommate Olga, had previously acted alongside Shirley Temple in "Heidi." Christian Rub, cast as the driver Pierre, would go on to voice Geppetto in Disney's "Pinocchio." Even Durbin herself had auditioned for the voice of Snow White, though Disney found her voice too mature for the role.
Helen Parrish, who plays Gloria's rival Felice (a role she would reprise in future Durbin films), had roots in the "Our Gang" shorts and would later teach the Beaver in the first season of "Leave It To Beaver." Gail Patrick, who portrays Gloria's mother, would later produce the long-running "Perry Mason" television series.
Behind the camera, the talent was equally impressive. Director Norman Taurog, at the time the youngest recipient of the Best Director Oscar, would go on to direct a wide range of stars including Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, and Elvis Presley. The film's cinematographer, Joseph Valentine, would eventually win an Oscar for "Joan of Arc" in 1949.
The film's writers and composers also made their mark. Frederick Kohner, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated original story, would later create the iconic character of Gidget. The film's score, crucial for showcasing Durbin's vocal talents, earned composers Charles Previn and Frank Skinner an Oscar nomination.
"Mad About Music" represents a pivotal moment in Hollywood's transition from child stars like Shirley Temple to more mature young talents like Deanna Durbin. It's a delightful time capsule that not only entertains but also provides a fascinating glimpse into the careers of many actors and filmmakers who would shape the entertainment industry for decades to come.
The only copy of the film I could find was on the Russian classical film site OK.RU where you can watch the film for free - https://ok.ru/video/2464479906484. But since this is a Russian site banned in Ukraine, you will have to use a VPN to watch from Ukraine.
