Deanna Durbin was just 16 years old when she made this film. She still had her childish face that goes so well with the spunky, rambunctious character she plays here. She is Patricia Cardwell, the daughter of John Cardwell. He's a professional trombonist who's been out of work for some time. They live in a tenement and frequent a café hangout with many other unemployed musicians. They're all men, and most, but not all, are older men who were "retired" from their past orchestras. Some are immigrants from Europe who played in orchestras there.
"100 Men and a Girl" is a fun and light comedy musical that is a showcase of classical music. Durbin sings a few songs, with her very mature and beautiful voice. And the great Leopold Stokowski leads an orchestra with samplings of well-known classical composers. We are treated to pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Wagner and others. Stokowski was an English-born conductor. He did more than anyone else to help popularize classical music in America. This is one of only three movies that he appeared in as himself. Among other Hollywood work he did was the arrangement and conducting for Walt Disney's "Fantasia" of 1940.
Stokowski's role in this film makes it somewhat unique alone. It's the best appearance of a great conductor and his music that most of the public have from the last half of the 20th century to the present. Stokowski (1882-1977) was music director of several major city orchestras in the U. S. He also founded some orchestras that have become American institutions. These include the American Symphony Orchestra, the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, the All-American Youth Orchestra, and the New York City Symphony.
Besides the musical extravaganza, and Deanna's hustling and bustling that lead to much mayhem, this film has a wonderful supporting cast. Several actors were leading men and top supporting actors of the time. Adolphe Menjou is Pat's dad. Eugene Pallette plays John Frost. Mischa Auer is Michael Borodoff; and Billy Gilbert plays the garage owner. Alice Brady has a short early part and Frank Jenks is the taxi driver.
This is a film that most people should still enjoy well into the 21st century. It's a good introduction to classical music without long stretches of theater sitting.
The funniest lines in the film are with Pat and her dad, as she gives him a haircut. Patricia Cardwell, "Daddy, do you still need this ear?" John Cardwell, "Yes, darling." Patricia, "Then hold still, please."
"100 Men and a Girl" is a fun and light comedy musical that is a showcase of classical music. Durbin sings a few songs, with her very mature and beautiful voice. And the great Leopold Stokowski leads an orchestra with samplings of well-known classical composers. We are treated to pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Wagner and others. Stokowski was an English-born conductor. He did more than anyone else to help popularize classical music in America. This is one of only three movies that he appeared in as himself. Among other Hollywood work he did was the arrangement and conducting for Walt Disney's "Fantasia" of 1940.
Stokowski's role in this film makes it somewhat unique alone. It's the best appearance of a great conductor and his music that most of the public have from the last half of the 20th century to the present. Stokowski (1882-1977) was music director of several major city orchestras in the U. S. He also founded some orchestras that have become American institutions. These include the American Symphony Orchestra, the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, the All-American Youth Orchestra, and the New York City Symphony.
Besides the musical extravaganza, and Deanna's hustling and bustling that lead to much mayhem, this film has a wonderful supporting cast. Several actors were leading men and top supporting actors of the time. Adolphe Menjou is Pat's dad. Eugene Pallette plays John Frost. Mischa Auer is Michael Borodoff; and Billy Gilbert plays the garage owner. Alice Brady has a short early part and Frank Jenks is the taxi driver.
This is a film that most people should still enjoy well into the 21st century. It's a good introduction to classical music without long stretches of theater sitting.
The funniest lines in the film are with Pat and her dad, as she gives him a haircut. Patricia Cardwell, "Daddy, do you still need this ear?" John Cardwell, "Yes, darling." Patricia, "Then hold still, please."