Synopsis
Mr. Reynolds (Laughton) is dying, and he wants to meet his son Johnny's (Cummings) fiancée before the end. Johnny cannot find her because she has gone shopping. Desperate to gratify his father's last wish, he asks a hat check girl, Anne Terry (Durbin), to pose as his fiancée. Sweet and pretty, Anne charms Mr. Reynolds.
The next morning Mr. Reynolds' health has improved, and he wants to see Anne again. Johnny stops her from boarding a train to Ohio and takes her to his father. The doctor says Mr. Reynolds' condition is too delicate to handle the disclosure of the true fiancée. After Anne sings for Mr. Reynolds, he plans a party to announce the engagement and allow her to sing for important musical guests. Johnny does not want her to appear at a party and be introduced as his fiancée. He gives her money and says he will tell his father that they had an argument and separated. However, Anne wants to sing for the people who can aid her career. She comes to the Reynolds' house and pretends to plead with Johnny to take her back. His father is delighted, but Johnny is angry and they quarrel. Unaware that Mr. Reynolds is eavesdropping, Anne threatens to tell Mr. Reynolds the truth. Sorry for continuing the deception, Anne tries but is unable to tell Mr. Reynolds the truth. Anne and Johnny agree she will not appear at the party.
The day of the party, Mr. Reynolds talks to Anne on the phone and convinces her to go with him to a nightclub where he can say 'goodbye'. They are dancing at the club when Johnny and the doctor arrive. The doctor tells Mr. Reynolds that he must go home to bed, and Johnny accuses Anne of taking advantage of his father. She throws a large drink on him. The next morning Anne is about to board the train when Johnny comes running up saying that his father is really dying now. They rush back to find the doctor collapsed and the father healthy. Johnny's fiancée has returned to Mexico in disgust. Johnny and Anne start to fight, then apologize to each other and make up. Mr. Reynolds grins happily.
Discussion
This pleasant comedy pairs Deanna Durbin with Robert Cummings for comic romance. Cummings was an experienced and engaging light comedian who compliments and enhances Durbin's character. Durbin plays the straight man to Charles Laughtons' seriocomic aged matchmaker. Laughton in aging makeup progresses from the verge of death to doing the mambo. Part of the comedy involves Laughton's doctor (played by veteran actor Walter Catlett) attempting to prevent him from doing things (such as smoking a cigar, eating rich food, or dancing) that would harm his health, and Laughton doing them anyway but hiding the actions from doctor and son.
Further Reading