Copyright 17 November 1943 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. New York opening at Loew's Criterion: 29 December 1943. U.S. release: 26 November 1943. Australian release: 9 March 1944. 8,369 feet. 93 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Anxious to further her singing career, a young lady journeys to New York to seek help from her half-brother.
NOTES: Nominated for a prestigious Hollywood award for Best Sound Recording, losing to Wilson. Although it was only moderately successful in America and England, His Butler's Sister proved a smash hit in Australia, placing 4th (ahead of Casablanca) in the annual list of the nation's top money-makers.
PRINCIPAL MIRACLE: Deanna Durbin.
COMMENT: Dazzlingly directed by Frank Borzage, using long, rapidly fluid takes through crowded sets, this is a superlatively produced offering, charmingly and ingratiatingly acted from a cleverly characterised, engagingly amusing script. Miss Durbin has never looked more beautiful, thanks to Woody Bredell's ultra-glossy lighting, Adrian gowns, and flattering make-up. Despite a few slight glitches in the sound recording, her voice has never been better either. Her co-star, Franchot Tone, is gracefully debonair, whilst Pat O'Brien gives sterling contrast as his Iago-like butler.
A wonderful array of support players, led by Walter Catlett and Andrew Tombes complete the picture.
The sets are most pleasing too. Universal has not spared the pennies on this winning, artistically crafted and ideally realised musical comedy romance.
OTHER VIEWS: One of Miss Durbin's best pictures. A delightful and amusing script, a splendid cast, A-1 production values, all under the superlative direction of that stylish master craftsman, Frank Borzage. The film is a trife over-long for such a slight plot, but the last act comes across with terrific emotional punch. -- JHR writing as Charles Freeman.
SYNOPSIS: Anxious to further her singing career, a young lady journeys to New York to seek help from her half-brother.
NOTES: Nominated for a prestigious Hollywood award for Best Sound Recording, losing to Wilson. Although it was only moderately successful in America and England, His Butler's Sister proved a smash hit in Australia, placing 4th (ahead of Casablanca) in the annual list of the nation's top money-makers.
PRINCIPAL MIRACLE: Deanna Durbin.
COMMENT: Dazzlingly directed by Frank Borzage, using long, rapidly fluid takes through crowded sets, this is a superlatively produced offering, charmingly and ingratiatingly acted from a cleverly characterised, engagingly amusing script. Miss Durbin has never looked more beautiful, thanks to Woody Bredell's ultra-glossy lighting, Adrian gowns, and flattering make-up. Despite a few slight glitches in the sound recording, her voice has never been better either. Her co-star, Franchot Tone, is gracefully debonair, whilst Pat O'Brien gives sterling contrast as his Iago-like butler.
A wonderful array of support players, led by Walter Catlett and Andrew Tombes complete the picture.
The sets are most pleasing too. Universal has not spared the pennies on this winning, artistically crafted and ideally realised musical comedy romance.
OTHER VIEWS: One of Miss Durbin's best pictures. A delightful and amusing script, a splendid cast, A-1 production values, all under the superlative direction of that stylish master craftsman, Frank Borzage. The film is a trife over-long for such a slight plot, but the last act comes across with terrific emotional punch. -- JHR writing as Charles Freeman.