One Touch of Venus [Blu-ray]

Director: William Seiter, William A. Seiter William Seiter

Overview

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.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/18/2013
UPC:	0887090065405
Original Release:	1948
Rating:	NR
Source:	Olive Films
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	1:22:00
Sales rank:	19,276

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robert Walker	Eddie hatch
Ava Gardner	Venus
Eve Arden	Molly Stewart
Dick Haymes	Joe Grant
Olga San Juan	Gloria
Tom Conway	Whitfield Savory,Actor
James Flavin	Corrigan
Sara Allgood	Mrs. Gogarty the Landlady
Hugh Herbert	Mercury
Arthur O'Connell	Reporter
Kenneth Patterson	Reporter
Anne Nagel	Reporter
Phil Garris	Counter Man
Mary Benoit	Reporter
Richard Gordon	Guest,Guest
Joan Miller	Reporter
Jerry Marlowe	Reporter
Ralph Brooks	Reporter
George J. Lewis	Detective
Eddie Parker	Detective
Pat Shade	Newsboy
Helen Francell	Woman
Harriett Bennett	Woman
Josephine Whittell	Dowager
John Valentine	Stammers
Philip Garris	Counter Man
Ralph Peters	Taxi Driver
George Meeker	Mr. Crust
Harry Hayden	Actor
Martha Montgomery	Pretty Girl
Yvette Renard	Girl
Pat Parrish	Girl

Technical Credits

Lester Cowan	Producer
David S. Horsley	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

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.