Main Cast: Robert Walker, Ava Gardner, Dick Haymes, Eve Arden, Olga San Juan
Release Year: 1948
Country: US
Run Time: 82 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
The spirit of love is back, and she's working in retail in this bubbly romantic musical comedy. Eddie Hatch (Robert Walker) is a window dresser at a large department store; he's become especially fond of one of his mannequins who looks like the sort of girl he'd like to meet, and one night he impulsively gives the dummy a kiss. To his tremendous surprise, the mannequin comes to life, and it turns out to be inhabited by the spirit of Venus, the Goddess of Love (Ava Gardner). Suddenly, romance is in the air as Eddie's fellow employees throw caution to the wind and finally express their infatuations with their co-workers; however, Eddie is too intimidated to follow through on his feelings for Venus, even though she'll only be in human form for 24 hours. Adapted from a popular Broadway musical, One Touch of Venus features a number of memorable songs by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash, including "Speak Low" and "The Trouble with Women," though a number of other songs they wrote for the stage production were replaced for the film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
Universal did wrong by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash when they butchered their glorious score for the film version of One Touch of Venus, but at least several of the best numbers remained, including the marvelous, beguine-flavored "Speak Low," the droll "That's Him" (though in a new context), and the amusing "The Trouble with Women." The studio did far better by casting the luminous, unnaturally beautiful Ava Gardner as the personification of the Goddess of Love. Gardner was no great actress (nor singer -- she's dubbed herein), but this role fits her like a glove and she sails through the part with great glee. Under the circumstances, it's all Robert Walker can do to make people notice he's on the screen, but he manages to score points when given half a chance. Even better is dependable Eve Arden, delivering wisecracks and witticisms with the unflappable style she patented. Orry-Kelly has provided some delicious fashions for the female leads, making the film's original black-and-white lensing all the more regrettable. Eventually, the fun wears thin and the film starts to wear out its welcome as the story becomes predictable, but it's still a wonderful opportunity to bask in the glamour appeal of one of the screen's most delectable stars. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Bernard Herzbrun - Art Director, Emrich H. Nicholson - Art Director, Billy Daniels - Choreography, Orry-Kelly - Costume Designer, William Seiter - Director, Otto Ludwig - Editor, Leo Arnaud - Musical Direction/Supervision, Ann Ronell - Songwriter, Franz Planer - Cinematographer, Lester Cowan - Producer, John Beck - Producer, Al Fields - Set Designer, Russell A. Gausman - Set Designer, David S. Horsley - Special Effects, Harry Kurnitz - Screenwriter, Frank Tashlin - Screenwriter, F. Anstey - Book Author, Ogden Nash - From Musical by, S.J. Perelman - From Musical by, Kurt Weill - From Musical by
In 1945, Mary Pickford announced that she would produce a film version of this musical with the Broadway cast, including Mary Martin, filmed in Technicolor, directed by Gregory La Cava, and released by United Artists. However, Martin got pregnant and Pickford sold the rights to Lester Cowan at Universal in August 1947. Ann Ronell, Cowan's wife, wrote the additional music that replaced much of Weill's material.
