ONE TOUCH OF VENUS
US, 1943, 81 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Walker, Ava Gardner, Dick Haymes, Olga San Juan, Eve Arden, Tom Conway.
Directed by William A. Seiter.
One Touch of Venus is a type of film they don't make any more: fantasy and Americana. The story of a statue of Venus coming into life in a store and changing people's lives is light froth indeed. The film is interesting as an early Ava Gardner and Robert Walker film. Contributions to the script were by the later director and writer Frank Tashlin. Kurt Weill wrote the songs. The film is pleasant, a blend of comedy, fantasy, observation of America and music. It probably seems somewhat dated now.
1. The overall impact of the film? Entertainment style?
2. Its blend of American romantic themes, fantasy, optimism?
3. The black and white photography, the everyday tone of the film with the store, parks, streets, tone? The comedy of dialogue especially that of Eve Arden, situations? The Kurt Weill songs and their contribution to the plot and the atmosphere?
4. The very American treatment of the fantasy? Venus in a store? The romantic interludes in which she was involved? American men, American women, romance?
5. Eddie as an American type? His work in the store, his explanation of himself to Venus? His hopes, his handling of the situation with the curtains, kissing the statue? His love for Gloria and his not being in love with her? The infatuation with Venus but fighting against it at first, not coping, dithering? His falling in love with her and taking her to New York? The trouble that she caused him and yet the happy ending? The humour of having the shop assistant in Ava Gardner's form? The sketch of the American male?
6. Ava Gardner as Venus? Her appearance, style, type? The glamorous presentation especially with clothes? Her singing and the romantic song, the song with Gloria and Molly? Her love for Eddie, her not loving Savary? As a kind of fairy godmother helping people in their love, the work of the Goddess of Love? Her appeal not to go back and her reappearance as the salesgirl?
7. The portrait of Gloria as the typical American fiancee? Her love for Eddie and exasperation with him? Her falling in love with his best friend? His friendship for Eddie, worrying about him? The songs? Conventional twosome?
8. The portrait of Savary and his suave wealth, the humiliation of the disappearance of the statue, his infatuation with Venus, his being overpowered by her and tricked into appreciating Molly? Molly as the humorous Eve Arden secretary type?
9. The portrait of the police, the landlady and her strictness? The poking fun at authority?
10. The style of the songs and their staging?
11. The humour of the comic touches? Satire on ordinary events via imagination and fantasy?
12. The presentation of traditional American values of good and bad, right and wrong, true love?
