His Butler's Sister

His Butler's Sister
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFrank Borzage
Screenplay by
Produced byFelix Jackson
StarringDeanna Durbin
CinematographyElwood Bredell
Edited byTed J. Kent
Music byHans J. Salter
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • November 26, 1943 (1943-11-26)
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.7 million (US rentals)[1] or $1,750,000[2]

His Butler's Sister is a 1943 American romantic comedy film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Deanna Durbin.[3] The supporting cast includes Franchot Tone, Pat O'Brien, Akim Tamiroff, Evelyn Ankers and Hans Conried.[4] The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Sound Recording (Bernard B. Brown).[5]

Plot

Ann Carter visits New York City to see her half-brother, and to try to start a music career. He works as a butler for Charles Gerard, a Broadway producer, so Ann gets a job working for him as a maid.

Durbin performs a notable medley of Russian folk songs including "Yamschtschick", "Kalitka" and "Two Guitars." (American Film Institute Catalog)

Cast

Production

The film was announced in January 1943.[6] In April, Frank Borzage signed to direct and Pat O'Brien to star.[7] In May, Franchot Tone signed to play the male lead. The film was then known as My Girl Godfrey.[8] Durbin enjoyed working with Borzage.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Top Grossers of the Season", Variety, January 5, 1944 p. 54
  2. ^ Kennedy, Paul P (July 30, 1944). "NOTES ON A 'FIRST LADY': Ireland's Geraldine Fitzgerald Talks of Her Role as Mrs. Wilson -- Other Items on the Ginema Scene". New York Times. p. X3.
  3. ^ Mark Deming (2009). "His Butler's Sister (1943)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  4. ^ "His Butler's Sister". FilmAffinity. filmaffinity.com. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  5. ^ "The 17th Academy Awards (1945) Nominees and Winners". Oscars. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  6. ^ Schallert, Edwin (January 29, 1943). "DRAMA: Sheehan Will Produce Life of Rickenbacker". Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
  7. ^ "News of the Screen". The Christian Science Monitor. April 29, 1943. p. 16.
  8. ^ "Franchot Tone to Appear With Deanna Durbin 'My Girl Godfrey' -- New Hal Roach Comedy". THE NEW YORK TIMES. May 25, 1943. p. 19.
  9. ^ Schallert, Edwin (August 1, 1943). "DRAMA AND FILM: WHILE THE FILMS REEL BY New Deanna Durbin Brought to Screen". Los Angeles Times. p. C2.
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