"Sun Valley Serenade" was Sonja Henie's last big box office hit and although I enjoyed the movie and loved its supporting cast, the story itself is pretty nutty. It's a shame, as with a more intelligent plot, it could have been amazing.
Ted (John Payne) is a pianist with an up and coming big band orchestra (led by Glenn Miller). As a publicity stunt, his agent (Milton Berle) has arranged for Ted to take in a war orphan from Europe (after all, in 1941 WWII was in full swing despite the USA not yet fighting). However, through some mixup, they send him an old orphan. I think you are supposed to think she's in her late teens, but Sonja Henie is 39...Payne's age! This really makes no sense. Why would they even place a teenage girl with an adult man with no wife or family?! And, not surprisingly, once she arrives, Karen soon falls in love with Ted. It's a problem as Ted is trying to make a go of it with the band's new singer, Miss Dawn (Lynn Bari). Complications ensue.
If you put the plot aside, there is a lot to like in this film. It's a nice chance to see Glenn Miller and his orchestra playing many of their top hits. Additionally, Joan Davis, the Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge are in the film as well. I also enjoyed seeing the Sun Valley resort (in Idaho), though I am surprised they didn't film it closer to Hollywood. I checked on Squaw Valley and Mammoth Mountain...both of which are famous California ski resorts...but apparently both opened after WWII. Perhaps there were no other suitable ski resorts closer and easier to access at the time. Or, perhaps Sun Valley was chosen because of its popularity.
As for the story, I already mentioned that it was pretty dopey. To enjoy it, you really need to suspend disbelief...just like you'd have to do if you see the 31 year-old Ginger Rogers playing a high school student in "The Major and the Minor". As for me, I really could never get past either casting decision and think "Sun Valley Serenade" would have benefitted from a re-working of the plot. Of course, it made a ton of money...so what do I know?!
By the way, the IMDB trivia says this American film was one of Hitler's favorites. How did they know this? I am a bit skeptical. I know he did watch and enjoy American films but by 1941, American movies were mostly unavailable in continental Europe due to the war. Plus the plot involves a woman leaving war-torn Norway (which was invaded by Germany in 1940) for America!
Ted (John Payne) is a pianist with an up and coming big band orchestra (led by Glenn Miller). As a publicity stunt, his agent (Milton Berle) has arranged for Ted to take in a war orphan from Europe (after all, in 1941 WWII was in full swing despite the USA not yet fighting). However, through some mixup, they send him an old orphan. I think you are supposed to think she's in her late teens, but Sonja Henie is 39...Payne's age! This really makes no sense. Why would they even place a teenage girl with an adult man with no wife or family?! And, not surprisingly, once she arrives, Karen soon falls in love with Ted. It's a problem as Ted is trying to make a go of it with the band's new singer, Miss Dawn (Lynn Bari). Complications ensue.
If you put the plot aside, there is a lot to like in this film. It's a nice chance to see Glenn Miller and his orchestra playing many of their top hits. Additionally, Joan Davis, the Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge are in the film as well. I also enjoyed seeing the Sun Valley resort (in Idaho), though I am surprised they didn't film it closer to Hollywood. I checked on Squaw Valley and Mammoth Mountain...both of which are famous California ski resorts...but apparently both opened after WWII. Perhaps there were no other suitable ski resorts closer and easier to access at the time. Or, perhaps Sun Valley was chosen because of its popularity.
As for the story, I already mentioned that it was pretty dopey. To enjoy it, you really need to suspend disbelief...just like you'd have to do if you see the 31 year-old Ginger Rogers playing a high school student in "The Major and the Minor". As for me, I really could never get past either casting decision and think "Sun Valley Serenade" would have benefitted from a re-working of the plot. Of course, it made a ton of money...so what do I know?!
By the way, the IMDB trivia says this American film was one of Hitler's favorites. How did they know this? I am a bit skeptical. I know he did watch and enjoy American films but by 1941, American movies were mostly unavailable in continental Europe due to the war. Plus the plot involves a woman leaving war-torn Norway (which was invaded by Germany in 1940) for America!