First Love (1939 film)
A Cinderella story set in high society.
First Love is a 1939 American musical film directed by Henry Koster and starring Deanna Durbin. A Cinderella adaptation, it follows orphan Connie Harding, whose snobby cousin keeps her from a ball, but she attends with help and falls for her cousin's boyfriend. The film earned Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Music.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Henry Koster
- Producer
- Henry Koster; Joe Pasternak
- Screenplay
- Lionel Houser; Bruce Manning
- Story
- Henry Myers; Gertrude Purcell
- Music
- Hans J. Salter
- Cinematography
- Joseph A. Valentine
- Editing
- Bernard W. Burton
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Constance "Connie" Harding is an unhappy orphan about to graduate from Miss Wiggins' School for Girls. Her only relatives, the James Clinton family, show little interest in her. She is brought to New York by a butler named George and moves in with snobbish relatives. Connie befriends the servants. One afternoon, her cousin Barbara orders her to stop Ted Drake from going riding without her; Connie tries and embarrasses herself, but has secretly fallen in love with him. When she learns the Drake family is organizing a ball, the servants raise money to buy her a dress. Barbara spreads a lie, and Connie is prohibited from attending. Heartbroken, Connie is helped by the servants who arrange a limousine she can use until midnight. Meanwhile, the Clinton family car is detained by police. At the ball, everyone is impressed by Connie's singing. Ted notices her and they kiss. Realizing it is midnight, Connie runs off, leaving a slipper behind. Ted finds it and searches for its owner. Barbara spots Connie leaving and fires the servants. The next day, Connie is missing; her uncle James berates his family for their hostility. Connie returns to Miss Wiggins' school hoping to become a music teacher. Ted follows her and they reunite.
Production
Universal Pictures first announced in April 1938 that Deanna Durbin would star in a color version of Cinderella, with Henry Koster directing, Joe Pasternak producing, and Bruce Manning and Felix Jackson writing the script. The studio said in May that the film would follow Three Smart Girls Grow Up, but by late May it was scrapped after exhibitors protested and Walt Disney objected, claiming he owned the title. In June 1938, Peter Milne and Irma von Cube were reported to be working on a new script, now called First Love. Charles Boyer signed on as co-star in January 1939 but later left. Lewis Howard and Robert Stack were cast for their film debuts. Production began in June 1939, shot in black and white. Writer Manning admitted he was uncertain about the ending. In his memoirs, Pasternak recalled studio pressure to give Durbin more mature roles. He described the search for the right boy for her first on-screen kiss as a major event, comparing it to the casting of Gone With the Wind, with Robert Stack ultimately chosen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the music for First Love (1939 film)?
The music for First Love was composed by Hans J. Salter.
Who wrote First Love (1939 film)?
First Love was written by Lionel Houser and Bruce Manning.
How long is First Love (1939 film)?
First Love has a running time of 84 minutes.
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