DEANNA’S TENTH SUCCESS

Evening Star, Issue 24082, 31 December 1941, Page 4

DEANNA’S TENTH SUCCESS

* IT STARTED WITH EVE ’ Something entirely new in Deanna Durbin pictures is to be found in ‘ It Started With Eve,’ which will open to-morrow evening at the Regent, in which she is co-starred with Charles Laughton, Essentially a comedy which also has its appealing serious moments, the new picture opens with, Laughton, as an ageing multi-mil-lionaire, on his deathbed. His last request is that he meet the socialite to whom his sou, portrayed by Robert Cummings, is engaged. Cummings cannot find the girl, so he. asks an attractive hat-check girl, played by Miss Durbin, to pose as his fiancee in the emergency. Miss Durbin is introduced to Laughton in an impressive scone, and he approves of her completely. It turns out, however, that the old mart is not to die. He begins a slow recovery, stimulated by this growing attachment to the girl who, he thinks, will marry his son. The situation is only slightly embarrassing—until the real fiancee arrives and demands to be identified. A series of hilarious intrigues follow, and end only after the old man himself completes a daring ruse. Laughton’s characterisation of the sly old gentleman is a wholly sympathetic one, and one which will be remembered

along ’ with the distinguished actor’s other fine portrayals. Making his third appearance with Miss Durbin, Cummings enacta the son with his usual vigour, registers romantically, and adds an inimitable comedv touch. Miss Durbin’s voice is beard to its "usual fine advantage in five numbers —Malotte’s’ ‘ The Lord’s Prayer,’ Valverde’s ‘ Clavelitos,’ Dvorak’s ‘Going Homo,’ Vaklesti's ‘ Yienc La Conga,’ and Tchaikowsky’s * Waltz ’ from the ‘ Sleeping Beauty Ballet.’