William A. Seiter directed One Touch of Venus, a black-and-white romantic musical comedy, starring Robert Walker, Ava Gardner and Dick Haymes.
Grade: B
Theatrical release poster
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It was based on the Broadway musical, book written by S. J. Perelman and Ogden Nash, with music composed by Kurt Weill (lyrics by Nash). However, the film omits most of Weill’s music.
The actors did their own singing, except for Ava Gardner (Venus) whose singing was dubbed by Eileen Wilson.
In 1945, Mary Pickford intended to produce a film version of this musical with the Broadway cast, including Mary Martin, filmed in Technicolor, directed by Gregory La Cava, and released by United Artists. However, Martin became pregnant and Pickford sold the rights to Lester Cowan at Universal. Ann Ronell, Cowan’s wife, wrote the music that replaced much of Weill’s material.
This movie served as inspiration for the 1987 film Mannequin.
Wealthy department-store mogul Whitfield Savory II buys a statue of Venus for $200,000, which he plans to exhibit in the store.
Eddie Hatch, a window dresser, kisses the statue on a whim, and to his shock, Venus comes to life and begins flirting with him. She then leaves the store, and Eddie is accused of stealing the artwork.
Nobody believes the truth, including the secretary Molly Stewart (Eve Arden), who is Savory’s right-hand woman, and detective Kerrigan.
Venus turns up at Eddie’s apartment, forcing him to hide her from his girlfriend Gloria (Olga San Juan) and roommate Joe.
Entranced by a Venus song of love, Joe falls for Eddie’s girl, Gloria. At the store, meanwhile, Venus has fallen asleep and is discovered by Whitfield who is instantly smitten.
Kerrigan decides to arrest Eddie for the statue’s theft. Venus, to save Eddie, is willing to seduce Whitfield, but Molly threatens to leave him.
Called home by Jupiter to return to Mount Olympus, Venus returns to her pedestal, and Whitfield can now display his artwork to the public.
In the end, Eddie is left alone–until he meets a new salesgirl who’s a dead ringer for the love goddess.
Cast
Robert Walker as Eddie Hatch
Ava Gardner as Venus/Venus Jones
Dick Haymes as Joe Grant
Eve Arden as Molly Stewart
Olga San Juan as Gloria
Tom Conway as Whitfield Savory
James Flavin as Kerrigan
Sara Allgood as Landlady
Credits:
Directed by William A. Seiter
Screenplay by Harry Kurnitz. Frank Tashlin
Produced by William A. Seiter, Lester Cowan, John Beck (associate)
Cinematography Franz Planer
Edited by Otto Ludwig
Music by Ann Ronell, Kurt Weill
Production company: Artists Alliance
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates: August 1948 (US)
Running time: 82 minutes
