That certain age
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | That certain age |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1938 |
| length | 84 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Edward Ludwig |
| script |
Bruce Manning Billy Wilder Charles Brackett |
| production |
Joe Pasternak for Universal Pictures |
| music | Charles Previn |
| camera | Joseph A. Valentine |
| cut | Bernard W. Burton |
| occupation | |
| |
That Certain Age is a 1938 American comedy film and starring Deanna Durbin .
action
Star reporter Vincent Bullitt was wounded during a report on the Spanish Civil War. His boss, Gil Fullerton, offers him three weeks of paid vacation in his weekend home as compensation. Alice, the publisher's pretty daughter, is not impressed by the development, as she likes to use the house in the country for theater rehearsals with other students. Alice and her best friend Ken plan an intrigue to make Vincent's stay in the house as uncomfortable as possible. But as soon as the handsome reporter actually stands in front of Alice, the plans for revenge give way to romantic feelings. In the exuberance of emotions, the young girl confuses the kindnesses of Vincent with genuine affection. In fact, the heart of the mad reporter belongs to Grace Bistow. After some mix-ups and a few fits of jealousy from Ken, Alice finally finds out who she really has taken into her heart.
background
Since her success in Three Smart Girls in 1936, Deanna Durbin had risen to become Universal Pictures' biggest star . Her films were all very successful financially, but Durbin gradually outgrew the previous roles of the innocent girl. The studio carefully planned the switch to adult roles since 1938 via the individual films. Initially it was planned that That Certain Age would be the film in which Durbin, who turned 17 in December 1938, would officially get her first screen kiss. The fans, however, were not impressed by the idea. The studio received numerous letters from worried mothers, who worried about the well-being of their daughters, should Deanna Durbin of all people experience romantic adventures on the screen and even be kissed. In the end a compromise was found. Deanna Durbin now plays, unlike in Mad About Music , which had been rented a few months earlier, a teenager and experiences romantic feelings towards the opposite sex for the first time. She has a loyal admirer of her own age. The romance with the older man, however, is only imaginary and little more than an exuberant swarm of freaks. So far it has no further consequences than a few passionate diary entries and a little heartache. It was not until mid-1939 in First Love that Deanna Durbin had the decisive kiss.
The status of Durbin as the sole star of the film is evident in the fact that her name is mentioned on the posters in letters as large as the title. Nancy Carroll was at the beginning of talking pictures a big star at Paramount Pictures , but in 1933 it was limited to appearances in supporting roles in B-movies. Her name is only listed fifth here, behind Irene Rich .
music
As in all of Deanna Durbin's films , the star sings the usual mix of classical pieces and contemporary songs in That Certain Age . The following pieces of music were used:
- My Own
- You're as Pretty as a Picture
- That certain age
- Be a Good Scout (music by Jimmy McHugh, text by Harold Adamson)
- Daisy Bell (Harry Dacre)
- Les Filles de Cadiz ( Léo Delibes )
- Excerpts from Roméo et Juliette ( Charles Gounod )
criticism
As usual, the young star received excellent reviews. The New York Times was particularly impressed by That Certain Age . Deanna Durbin was characterized as perky and charming (“pert and charming”) and the film was characterized as a solo show for the star (“a script which, strictly speaking, is a solo for a prima donna”).
Awards
At the Academy Awards in 1939 , the film received nominations in the following categories:
- Best song - My Own
- Best tone