Deanna Durbin and Robert Stack star in this cute romantic comedy, in which Deanna gets her first screen kiss. Upon graduation from a girls' school, she goes to live with her rich and uppity aunt and uncle (particularly the aunt) who have helped her out, since she has lost her parents some time ago. Right away we see their grown-up daughter Barbara is a selfish brat and her brother Walter is a lazy good-for-nothing' who does nothing but loaf about the place, sprawled out over chairs all throughout the film. Deanna is expected to show up, but it's very inconvenient for Barbara when there's no car or chauffeur to take her to a friend's party. As Deanna walks in, Aunt and Barbara leave. It becomes apparent to Deanna that there is no love or communication in this house - from being neglected by them to the fact that when they are there, the man of the house Eugene Palette is out and vice versa. Barbara is practically forced to let Deanna come along to a ball, but when the time comes for the ball, Barbara finds a way to get the better of her. By this time in the movie, you get the comparison of this to Cinderella. But Deanna has someone on her side. When Deanna met Robert Stack, he was Barbara's beau, but then things change. I love enchanting movies like this, from its inventive special effects to its romantic aura it contains. Similar in tone to this are Margaret Sullavan's "The Good Fairy" and Marlene Dietrich's "The Flame of New Orleans." I especially love the scenes when the mother and Barbara are told off. If you love old-fashioned films and Deanna Durbin's beautiful voice, this is one fairy tale not be missed.
Review of First Love
