source: That Certain Age

That Certain Age

Brave reporter Vincent Bullit has just returned from following the Spanish Civil War. His boss, newspaper magnate Fullerton, has several plans to send him to China. However, first Fullerton invites Bullit to the peace and quiet of his own home to write a series of articles on European topics. When Fullerton's adolescent daughter Alice fell in love with Bullitt, her suitor, boy Ken Ken Warren, seems to have no chance. Mr. And Mrs. Fullerton, Ken Warren, and even Vincent Bullit himself are doing their best to distract young Alice's feelings from the older man. It is a difficult task though, as she is 'in those Certain Age'.

What I liked about this 1938 Comedy/Romance/Musical was - (1) The scenes where it was the teens who were the focus of the action. (I wish there had been more of these scenes) - and - (2) The moments when the 17-year-old Deanna Durbin thrilled us all, singing away like a trilling sparrow. Durbin sang a total of 5 songs in this film. What I didn't like about this light-weight cinematic fluff was all of the emphasis placed on the boring, silly, and predictable crush that Durbin's character (Alice) had on the Vincent Bullitt character, who happened to be twice her age and he was the dullest dullard imaginable. All-in-all - This was a fairly entertaining vintage "Chick Flick". By the way - Deanna Durbin's real name was Edna Mae Durbin and she was originally from (are you ready for this?) Winnipeg, Manitoba. *Note* - In 2013 - Deanna Durbin (91 at the time) died of natural causes.