One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937) - Henry Koster

Looking back there are a few oddities of Hollywood's classic era. Stars and pictures that were enormously successful that seem tiresome to say the least. Deanna Durbin is not without a few present day admirers but she was an enormous success that saved Universal from bankruptcy (or so the legend goes). Ironically she was actually denied a contract by MGM in favor of her then partner Judy Garland. Durbin began her career as an asexual little-miss-fix-it. She had no time for boys, and had a resounding energy that propelled her to set things right for those around her. One Hundred Men and a Girl amplifies her mission tremendously. Instead of reuniting her separated parents, here she is determined to give 100 out of work musicians their own orchestra. Durbin's voice here is used to get her foot in the door, a talent that she is humble about but happens to impress an awful lot of people. The then world famous Leopold Stakovsky makes an appearance as himself and the somewhat reluctant conductor of this orchestra. However where there's a Durbin there's a way. Due to audio problms of the time Durbin's very shrill and fast speaking voice may very well make your ears bleed. Not to say the girl couldn't sing, but listening to her talk a mile a minute will make anyone reach for some ear plugs. That said one of the film's five nominations was for sound. The picture is enjoyable in its own right but remains a mystery as to how it was as popular in its time as it was.

*One Hundred Men and a Girl was nominated for best picture, best editing, best original story, and best sound. It won for best score.