One Touch of Venus (1948)

Director:

William A. Seiter
(more)

Writers:

F. Anstey (novel)
S.J. Perelman (book) ...
(more)

Release Date:

August 1948 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

The Gal Who Invented Love!

Plot:

Fantasy comedy about a young window dresser who kisses a statue of Venus, which then comes to life in the form of Ava Gardner. The problems begin, however, when Venus falls in love with him.

Plot Keywords:

Statue | Love | Department Store | Window Dresser | Park

Cast

Robert Walker	...	Eddie Hatch
Ava Gardner	...	Venus
Dick Haymes	...	Joe Grant
Eve Arden	...	Molly Stewart
Olga San Juan	...	Gloria
Tom Conway	...	Whitfield Savory II
James Flavin	...	Det. Kerrigan
Sara Allgood	...	Mrs. Fogarty
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hugh Herbert	...	Mercury (scenes deleted)
Harriet Bennet	...	Woman in park (uncredited)
Mary Benoit	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Russ Conway	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Gino Corrado	...	Head waiter (uncredited)
John Davidson	...	Customer (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Shopper in Department Store (uncredited)
Helen Francell	...	Woman in park (uncredited)
Joel Friend	...	Man in park (uncredited)
Phil Garris	...	Counterman (uncredited)
Dick Gordon	...	Guest (uncredited)
George J. Lewis	...	Detective #2 (uncredited)
Frances Mack	...	Guest (uncredited)
Jerry Marlowe	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Robert McCord	...	Man in park (uncredited)
George Meeker	...	Mr. Crust (uncredited)
Joan Miller	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Martha Montgomery	...	Pretty girl (uncredited)
Anne Nagel	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Arthur O'Connell	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Eddie Parker	...	Detective #1 (uncredited)
Pat Parrish	...	Girl (uncredited)
Kenneth Patterson	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Ralph Peters	...	Taxi driver (uncredited)
Yvette Reynard	...	Girl (uncredited)
Pat Shade	...	Newsboy (uncredited)
Charles Sherlock	...	Reporter (uncredited)
John Valentine	...	Stammers (uncredited)
Josephine Whittell	...	Dowager (uncredited)

Directed by
William A. Seiter
Gregory La Cava		(uncredited)

Writing credits
F. Anstey		(novel "The Tinted Venus")
S.J. Perelman		(book for musical play) and
Ogden Nash		(book for musical play)
Harry Kurnitz		(screenplay) and
Frank Tashlin		(screenplay)

Produced by
John Beck	....	associate producer
Lester Cowan	....	producer
William A. Seiter	....	producer

Original Music by
Ann Ronell

Cinematography by
Franz Planer		(as Frank Planer)

Film Editing by
Otto Ludwig

Art Direction by
Bernard Herzbrun
Emrich Nicholson		(as Emrich H. Nicholson)

Set Decoration by
A. Roland Fields		(as Al Fields)
Russell A. Gausman

Costume Design by
Orry-Kelly		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Carmen Dirigo	....	hair stylist
Bud Westmore	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Howard Christie	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William Holland	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Leslie I. Carey	....	sound
Joe Lapis	....	sound

Special Effects by
David S. Horsley	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Sherman Clark	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Dave Ragin	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Everett Smith	....	grip (uncredited)

Music Department
Leo Arnaud	....	musical director (as Leon Arnaud)
Cheryl Crawford	....	producer: musical play (as Crawford)
Elia Kazan	....	stager: musical play
John J. Wildberg	....	producer: musical play (as Wildberg)
Eileen Wilson	....	singing voice: Ava Gardner (uncredited)

Other crew
Lester Cowan	....	presenter
Billy Daniel	....	dance director
Pat Betz	....	script supervisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Artists Alliance
• Universal International Pictures (UI)

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1948) (USA) (theatrical)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (2000) (USA) (VHS)
• Suevia Films (2005) (Spain) (DVD)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #13181) | West Germany:12 | Sweden:Btl

Company:

Artists Alliance

Trivia:

In January 1945, Agnes de Mille, who choreographed the 1943 Broadway musical, originally was announced to choreograph the Mary Pickford planned screen version.

Quotes:

Pretty girl: What's this about a certain "most eligible bachelor" falling in love with a statue?
Whitfield Savory: Perhaps, my dear, she reminds me of you.
[Walks away with Pretty Girl. ]
Molly Grant: Yeah, they both have large pedestals.
[Referring to statue and Pretty Girl. ]
Dowager: [Sashays up to Savory, who has reappeared] Whitfield, you remember my daughter, Brenda?
Whitfield Savory: Not little Brenda? You've - uh
[looks her over ]
Whitfield Savory: - grown, Brenda.
Molly Grant: [Reappears] Hatch is waiting, chief. He finished the drapes.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Costume Designer (1950)

Soundtrack:

Speak Low

Romantic Comedy Perfection

Stars Ava Gardner and Robert Walker. Walker gives a flawless comedic performance as a department store window dresser who kisses a statue of Venus which then comes to life (gee, think "Mannequin" ripped this off).

A wonderfully written intelligent script, the most beautiful love song, written by Bertohlt Brecht, as it's theme music, a supporting cast that boasts one of Eve Arden's most brilliant performances and '40's singing heartthrob Dick Haymes, as well as the most glorious wardrobe for the 3 female leads, all add up to an evening on Olympus.

It is, however, Ava Gardner who will captivate your heart, capture your soul, and make you believe in magic. It really is a once in a lifetime performance - her look, her vocal inflection, and her miraculous stance and walk will convince you that she IS the Goddess of Love. A classic beauty.

One of the best romantic comedies ever!