I have watched the three versions of this movie plus the related "Sleepless In Seattle" several times. I find that the original 1939 is the most pleasing from the standpoint of story exposition as well as portrayals. The crucial piano performance by Maria Ouspenskaya and accompanying vocalization by Irene Dunne seems to me to be the heart of the relationship that develops between Terry and Michel. To appreciate Ouspenskaya's performance, one only has to view "Waterloo Bridge" with Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor to see the range of her acting skills. "Plaisir D'Amour" is actually a ballad written in 1798. It can often be heard as background music in many movies as well as in other versions.(Listen to Elvis sing 'Take My Hand')
"Wishing" seems to be more consistent with the story line than does its counterpart in "An Affair to Remember". (Maybe that's why it earned an Academy Award nomination in the competitive year of "Over The Rainbow".) The Terry McKay quote regarding '. . .is either illegal, immoral or fattening.' was actually Alexander Wolcott, wasn't it? In the remake, Leo McCarey had the advantage of newer technology and Technicolor but how can you improve on a masterpiece?
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