ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON

US, 1948, 90 minutes, Colour.
Dennis Morgan, Dorothy Malone, Janis Paige, Don Defore, Ben Blue.
Directed by Raoul Walsh.

One Sunday Afternoon is a remake of Raoul Walsh's The Strawberry Blonde, filmed some five years earlier than this musical version. The scene is the turn of the century, a selection of musical numbers which highlight the mood of the end of the 19th century and the hopes at the beginning of the 20th. It is a story of friendship, falling in love, betrayal. While there are serious undertones to the plot, it is done with chocolate-box style, typical of Warner Bros front the mid-'40s to the mid-30s.

Dennis Morgan is at home in this type of musical, as is Don Defore. Dorothy Malone is at her most charming. Ben Blue has an opportunity for his zany comic style. There are a number of popular songs - all done with the confectionary style of the period.

1. Entertaining musical? Of the '40s? Remembering the turn of the century? A piece of Americana?

2. Colour photography, re-creation of the city, the parks, the streets, costumes? The musical score? The popular songs? The title song?

3. The title, the song, Biff’s memories, Virginia's song? Signifying Biff's experience and disillusionment?

4. Biff, his anger, friendship with Nick, criticising the men singing? Love for Any? The dentist? The possibility of helping Hugo? The flashbacks? Friendship with Hugo, the bike rides, the boat, the outings with Virginia and Amy, infatuated with Virginia, her leading him on, rejection? The dancers? Amy's being present, her alleged free thinking? the proposal, borrowing the money, the engagement ring? The bad news, Amy's support? His friendship with Amy, marrying her, happiness? The visit to Hugo and Virginia, the possibility of the job, signing the papers? His arrest, his trying to cover up? In prison. learning to be a dentist? Getting out, New Year's Eve, the beginning of the century, the support of Any? The confrontation with Hugo? The temptation to revenge? Pulling his tooth? Seeing Virginia again - disillusionment? Counting his blessings?

5. Amy, attractive, her talking about free thinking, on the edge, with Virginia, in love with Biff? The outings, supporting him, coming when Virginia was married? The marriage, happy house, the visit and the singing at the piano, imprisonment, her working hard, waiting for him? happy reunion?

6. Hugo as the cad, putting it over everyone, taking Virginia? His bombast? Business, inviting Biff into the company, getting him to sign the papers, his lawyer, covering himself? Letting Biff go to prison? the toothache, his being frightened, the pulling of the tooth? The cad?

7. Virginia, attractive. ambitious, with Hugo, with Biff, the outings? Relationship with Amy? Leading Biff on but not wanting to marry him? The marriage. bossing Hugo around, the visit, jealousy of Amy, getting Hugo to get his tooth pulled?

8. Nick, the comedy at the barber's, the lady barber and the shave? His acrobatics? Friendship? Girlfriend, walks in the park, marriage, the children?

9. The city of New York at the turn of the century, its look, people, manners, customs? The songs symbolising the period?