That Certain Age (1938)

That Certain Age (1938) Warning: This article discusses details and important plot points in the movie.Plot Recovering from gun shot wounds, aptly named war correspondent, Vincent Bullitt (Melvyn Douglas), needs rest before returning overseas for further reports on European crises. His editor, Gilbert Fullerton (John Halliday) opens his home to Bullitt, where Fullerton’s teen-aged daughter, Alice (Deanna Durbin), becomes infatuated with their guest....

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Life Magazine July 3, 1944 - on Deanna Durbin's dramatic film debut

Child Star to Adult Life Magazine (click to enlarge) For many reasons, including her eternally youthful visage, Deanna Durbin made a relatively easy transition from childhood to adulthood in Hollywood. Other child stars often struggle to maintain the same level of fame after they grow a few inches or their voices begin changing. Though she maintained box office hit status beyond puberty, unfortunately for our buxom brunette, the roles she...

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"Three Smart Girls" (1936)

The three smart girls of the title are adorable teenage sisters - played by Deanna, Nan Grey and Barbara Read who live in a lovely European lake house with their mother (Nella Walker). One day they read in the newspaper that their estranged father (now living in New York as a prominent investment banker) plans to remarry. So the girls travel across the pond to find him - and break up the relationship with his gold-digging girlfriend (Binnie Barnes)...

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Happy Birthday Deanna Durbin

Thanks to Java Bean for reminding me of Deanna's birthday today! Visit Java's Journey today for a lovely tribute to Ms. DurbinLaura has a nice tribute to Ms. Durbin on her 89th BirthdaySend your birthday wishes on the guestbook at Deanna Durbin Devotees s...

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Happy Halloween!

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Happy Sweetest Day!

Deanna Durbin and Robert St...

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Happy Birthday Mickey Rooney!

Today, Hollywood Legend Mickey Rooney celebrates his 90th birthday! Did you know that in 1939 both he and Deanna were awarded a special "Juvenile Oscar" for their significant contribution in bringing to the screen "the spirit and personification of youth, and as juvenile players setting a high standard of ability and achievement". Here is a link to a picture of Mickey and Deanna from Deanna Durbin Devotees. A movie starring Deanna and...

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Summer 2010 magazine (Films of the Golden Age) features cover story on Deanna

The Summer 2010 edition of Films of the Golden Age features a colorful poster from Spring Parade , plus a 16-page article on Deanna Durbin filled with photos and movie poster artwork (the magazine is printed on newsprint so it's all in B/W)The article features insight into why Deanna has chosen to stay out of the spotlight for so many decades (Deanna is not interviewed, but one of her previous interviews is discussed).Unfortunately, the magazine...

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100 Men and a Girl (1937)

"I've never seen such a child in all my life!" - Eugene Pallette's producer character says this in reaction to a persistent Deanna Durbin.In a story that might remind you of her short film "Every Sunday", Deanna wants to start an orchestra for a group of unemployed musicians, including her father, wonderfully played by Adolph Menjou. The chemistry that he and Deanna have is so good that you'll be convinced they are father-daughter.In perhaps one...

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"Because of Him" (1946)

A lighthearted screwball comedy set in the world of the Broadway theater, with a top-notch musical score by Miklós Rózsa.Deanna is a New York waitress dreaming of becoming a Broadway star. Her restaurant manager is played by Charles Halton who played the bank examiner in It's A Wonderful Life, my favorite movie.Her favorite actor is famed British thespian John Sheridan (Charles Laughton), who is working on a new play, "Strange Laughter".One day Laughton...

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Advertisement for "Spring Parade"

"Her 8th Great Hit in a parade of perfect pictures....bringing you more happiness than you've ever had!"A full page ad, as it appeared in LIFE MagazineI love how it says, "Watch For It At Your Favorite Movi...

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Where have you gone, Deanna Durbin?

It's sad, pitiful even, to hear the latest in the life of actress-singer Lindsay Lohan. Read a recent CNN article about her rise and fall here. DUIs, drunken parties, outbursts, court dates, jail.She is only 24 years old. And it brings to mind other so-called starlets of this age, and what they've been up to.Where is the talent?What happened to class?...

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New release date for DVD pack: June 30

According to the TCM website and Movies Unlimited, the release date of the 5-pack DVD set has been pushed back to June 30 for unknown reasons. The collection is to include:Mad About Music | That Certain Age | Three Smart Girls Grow Up Because of Him | For the Love of MaryDEANNA DURBIN: THE MUSIC AND ROMANCE COLLECTIONDescription from the Turner Classic Movies "Vault Collection" site:Universal's beloved singing sensation receives the full star treatment...

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The new Deanna DVD collection will be available June 9, 2010

Read more about Deanna's movies on VHS/DVD here in a post by Java Bean.I'm happy to report that the new set of Deanna DVDs is coming out June 9, 2010It will have 5 films that were not in the "Sweetheart Pack":Mad About Music | That Certain Age | Three Smart Girls Grow Up Because of Him | For the Love of Mary DEANNA DURBIN: THE MUSIC AND ROMANCE COLLECTION Description from the Turner Classic Movies "Vault Collection" site: Universal's beloved...

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A newspaper report on Deanna's divorce from Vaughn Paul in 1943

(click on the image for larger view)As published in the Reading Eagle, October 14, 1...

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Butch and Buddy from "Spring Parade" (1940)

Above: Butch and Buddy with Deanna Durbin in the film "Spring Parade" (1940)."Butch and Buddy" were a pair of kid actors played by Billy "Butch" Lenhart (1930-) Kenneth "Buddy" Brown (1932-). They appeared together in several Universal films in the early 1940s. The first pairing was in Universal's "The Under-Pup" (1939) starring Gloria Jean in her first film. They played the sons of Billy Gilbert's character.Universal needed two young boy actors...

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Technical Difficulties on the blog...

I seem to have lost some background images for my sidebar...Now the blog looks so weird. Please bear with me as I work on locating this image and get this all fixed. Thanks. Tom Update: Everything looks OK now!!! - Tom...

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Happy Easter 2010!

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"Spring Parade" (1940)

Deanna looking cute in a babuska (head scarf) In this cute film set in Austria, Deanna plays a farm girl named Ilonka. One day she goes to a carnival and meets a fortune teller who tells her (among other things) that she will find her husband in Vienna; the next day she travels there and is determined to fulfill the prophecies. Deanna's character is somewhat carefree, and it's not explained whether or not she had any work or family obligatons...

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