It Started with Eve

• Deanna Durbin: Anne Terry
• Charles Laughton: Jonathan Reynolds
• Robert Cummings: Harry Reynolds Jr.
• Guy Kibbee: Bishop Maxwell
• Margaret Tallichet: Gloria Pennington
• Catherine Doucet: Mrs Pennington
• Walter Catlett: Doctor Harvey
• Charles Coleman: Roberts
• Leonard Elliott: Rev. Henry Stebbins

The eternal Eva is an American comedy film from the year 1941.

Action

The film is set in New York. The millionaire Jonathan Reynolds is dying. His son Johnny returns from Mexico City back to the deathbed of his father. By Dr. Harvey he learns that his father has not long to live and his last wish was still know Johnny's future wife. Johnny moves quickly to his hotel to get his fiancee Gloria Pennington. But there he discovers that Gloria has gone out with her mother on the evening. In desperation, he asks the young Anne Terry, if she could play for an evening Gloria. She agrees and the old Jonathan likes his future daughter from the first moment.

Contrary to expectations, the old Jonathan feels the next morning better than expected. He asks if he can see his daughter again. Dr. Harvey is concerned about the health of his patients and asks Johnny, playing with the wrong Gloria to play on. However, Anne Terry wants to leave her hometown to Ohio. Johnny caught at the last minute at the station. When he comes to Anne home, Gloria is also suddenly appeared with her mother there. Johnny tries to explain the situation. The aspiring opera singer Anne learns here is that the old Jonathan has good contacts with the New York opera world and now wants to use this opportunity. It makes the proposal to give a party for the old Jonathan, where they could give a sample of her vocal abilities. Johnny agrees, but would like to introduce his father the right Gloria. He wants his father to inform you that Gloria ( Anne) have separated and his new girlfriend was the right Gloria. Anne asks him to wait until after the party. But Johnny refuses. He could not quite make believe New York, that she is his fiancée.

The next evening, Johnny informs his father about the separation. At this moment Anne rushes in and asks Johnny for forgiveness. Johnny is almost forced by his father to forgive her. When Jonathan leaves the room, he learns through the subsequent loud argument between Anne and Johnny the real story. To make matters worse now come to even Gloria and her mother. Again they see Johnny with Anne and Johnny's mouth has unmistakable traces of lipstick on. Now it is enough mother and daughter. Annoyed they travel again.

Finally, the night of the party comes. Jonathan is back in good health and Johnny comes with Gloria and her mother to the party. His father, he explains that Anne had a headache and could not come. Jonathan then makes his way to Anne. He tells her that he knew the real story, but still want to go out with her one last time. You go to a nightclub, where they drink and dance together. When Johnny and Dr. Harvey come to the nightclub, she pours her drink Johnny 's face and leaves the restaurant.

The next day, Johnny Anne caught again at the last minute at the station to tell her that his father had had a heart attack again and Jonathan they wish to see. When they arrive at Jonathan, they realize that the heart attack was faked. He wanted Johnny and Anne bring together only again. The two recognize each other their true feelings, what Jonathan receives it with joy. With great pleasure, he pulls back and smokes a cigar banned him.

Background

The film was based on a story by Hanns Kräly. This story was later made ​​into a film twice. 1964 under the title How to tame Eva by Jack Smight with Sandra Dee and Maurice Chevalier. In 1973 a German version with the title Jonathan Oh, oh Jonathan! by Franz Peter Wirth with Heinz Rühmann.

Reviews

"Funny romantic comedy with a brilliant performance by Charles Laughton. "

" A film without deeper meaning to the Charles Laughton's character role is but to look for still enjoyable. "

Awards

The soundtrack of the film was nominated for an Oscar in 1943.