Deanna in heartfelt wartime drama In arguably the most unusual film in Deanna Durbin's career, THE AMAZING MRS HOLLIDAY showcases the songbird as a courageous missionary worker in Southern China who rescues a ragtag group of orphans and takes them to America.
Playing Ruth Kirke, a selfless missionary teacher, Deanna Durbin found one of her most challenging and rewarding screen roles. Ruth masquerades as the widow of Captain Holliday, who died when their cargo vessel was bombed by Japanese forces. Home in America, Ruth is able to provide a safe and secure home for her extended family of orphans within the Holliday mansion, but when she starts having romantic overtures from her "grandson" (Edmond O'Brien), just how will she continue playing her alter-ego of Mrs Holliday?
Originally slated to be directed by the renowned Jean Renoir, THE AMAZING MRS HOLLIDAY promised audiences an entirely different type of Deanna Durbin movie. When it was finally released in 1943, several of Durbin's trademark musical numbers had been inserted, and producer Bruce Manning was credited as the director--Jean Renoir wasn't even mentioned. In later years Renoir conceded that he could never have delivered the kind of movie that Deanna Durbin fans craved ("I met Deanna Durbin and liked her very much. I had all the Durbin pictures run through for me and those made by [Henry] Koster were certainly the best. However, I had no gift for that style, and THE AMAZING MRS HOLLIDAY was rightly finished by people who know the job better.").
THE AMAZING MRS HOLLIDAY features Deanna Durbin's performances of "Mighty Like a Rose", plus a tour-de-force "Vissi D'Arte" from TOSCA. Look out for little Christopher Severn ("Mrs Miniver") as one of the orphans. One of Deanna's most unappreciated and intriguing movies.
Starring Deanna Durbin The Amazing Mrs. Holliday is the story of an American girl (Deanna Durbin) who brings children out of China during World War II. On the ship to America, a wealthy man tells her he will adopt all nine children because he lives in a large house with plenty of room. However, the ship is torpedoed and the man does not survive. In desperation, the girl tells his family that she is his widow and she begins living in the house with the children. In the meantime, she takes a liking to her grandson-in-law (Edmond O'Brien).
Durbin carries her part with her usual charm and with the maturity of her later years in Hollywood. O'Brien is adequate in his part but is outshined by his female co-star.
One of the best scenes in the film is a silent one at a dinner table. It utilizes all the greatness of the Hollywood gone by.
The end of the film seems to fizzle, but it is brought back to life by an unexpected twist.
Warm Tender and Sweet This warm and tender drama is one of the most fondly remembered films in the career of Deanna Durbin. She never gave a lovelier performance than in this film about children orphaned in war torn southern China and the Christian Missionary teacher who tries to save as many as she can by bringing them to America. How she does so in spite of all the obstacles in their way gives birth to a story filled with drama and humor, and even allows for some beautiful songs by Durbin within the framework of the story.
One of the most moving moments in the film comes almost immediately when Ruth Kirke (Durbin) explains to the captain of the steamship they have boarded what she knows about each of the eight children and how they came to be with her. There is a warmth and sincerity in her words which are quite natural and heartfelt. We never doubt for a moment how much she cares for the children who have become her own, or how determined she will be to find them a home in San Francisci in spite of their lack of immigration papers.
Barry Fitzgerald is endearing as the crusty first mate who helps her when the steamship is sunk by the Japanese, almost all hands lost, including the captain, who had promised to sponsor them once in America. Fitzgerald takes her to the wealthy shipping family to plead for money, which somehow ends up in Durbin becoming the much older deceased captain's widow! While this may provide a home for the children in a mansion, it creates some humorous and sweet moments that make this one of Durbin's best films.
Matters become even more complicated when the captain's grandson returns from sea and starts to fall for both the children and, well, his grandmother! A very young Edmond O'brien is excellent as the grandson, suspicious of Ruth's motives at first, but falling slowly under the spell of this girl who may not be able to walk in high heels, but looks wonderful in an evening gown. But there is another suprise to come you'll have to see for yourself.
Though co-director Jean Renoir and Deanna Durbin had originally intended the film to be a more focused and artistic film about the orphans of war, there are enough sweet and heartrending moments to make the point. Universal may have fashioned this in a way to highlight Deanna's talents, but nearly 60 years later it is hard for Durbin fans to argue with this wonderful film, one of her last big hits. The music was nominated for an Academy Award and Deanna's performance could easily have been as well.
This is one more gift from the Last Rose of Summer before she walked away from Hollywood forever. A must own for Deanna's fans, and an excellent choice for anyone who loves how wholesome and entertaining films used to be.
Deanna Durbin in a movie that has it all! This is, in my opinion, one of Deanna Durbin's most underrated screen vehicles (the other being "Something in the Wind"). "The Amazing Mrs. Holliday" is a film that has it all - action, suspense, drama, comedy, romance and (with Deanna on board) music! This was Deanna's most dramatic film to date. As a young woman forced to flee China with eight young war orphans, Deanna shows what a talented actress she actually is. She also sings some beautiful songs (including "Mighty Lak' a Rose"). Throw in Barry Fitzgerald for some comedy, and Edmond O'Brien for romance and you have a wonderful little film that is sure to brighten your view of the world! Overall, one of Deanna's greatest pictures.
Deanna tries to find a way to care for eight war orphans. This is a most unusual Deanna Durbin film. In this movie, Deanna is a missionary returning from China with eight war orphans. The movie is partially nararrated by Deanna herself as she recounts the story of how she found the orphans and brought them to America. It is very touching although it has a few comic twists. Barry Fitzgerald is his delightful self and causes her no end of trouble. In the end she is the proud mama of NINE war orphans and has found them a very charming daddy. We really enjoyed this film even though it wasn't Deanna's usual style. It showed us that she was certainly capable of playing a more serious role.
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