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It's a Date

  • 19401940
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
633
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Deanna Durbin, Lewis Howard, and Walter Pidgeon in It's a Date (1940)
  • Comedy
  • Musical
  • Romance
An aspiring actress is offered the lead in a major new play, but discovers that her mother, a more seasoned performer, expects the same part. The situation is further complicated when they b... Read allAn aspiring actress is offered the lead in a major new play, but discovers that her mother, a more seasoned performer, expects the same part. The situation is further complicated when they both become involved with the same man.An aspiring actress is offered the lead in a major new play, but discovers that her mother, a more seasoned performer, expects the same part. The situation is further complicated when they both become involved with the same man.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
633
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William A. Seiter
  • Writers
    • Norman Krasna(screen play)
    • Jane Hall(original story)
    • Frederick Kohner(original story)
  • Stars
    • Deanna Durbin
    • Kay Francis
    • Walter Pidgeon
Top credits
  • Director
    • William A. Seiter
  • Writers
    • Norman Krasna(screen play)
    • Jane Hall(original story)
    • Frederick Kohner(original story)
  • Stars
    • Deanna Durbin
    • Kay Francis
    • Walter Pidgeon
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos25

    Deanna Durbin in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin and Walter Pidgeon in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin and Kay Francis in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin and Lewis Howard in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin and Kay Francis in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin, Kay Francis, Eugene Pallette, and Walter Pidgeon in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin, Kay Francis, and Walter Pidgeon in It's a Date (1940)
    Samuel S. Hinds and S.Z. Sakall in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin and Kay Francis in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin, Kay Francis, and Walter Pidgeon in It's a Date (1940)
    Deanna Durbin, Kay Francis, and Walter Pidgeon in It's a Date (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Deanna Durbin
    Deanna Durbin
    • Pamela Drakeas Pamela Drake
    Kay Francis
    Kay Francis
    • Georgia Drakeas Georgia Drake
    Walter Pidgeon
    Walter Pidgeon
    • John Arlenas John Arlen
    Eugene Pallette
    Eugene Pallette
    • Governor Allenas Governor Allen
    Henry Stephenson
    Henry Stephenson
    • Captain Andrewas Captain Andrew
    Cecilia Loftus
    Cecilia Loftus
    • Sara Frankensteinas Sara Frankenstein
    Samuel S. Hinds
    Samuel S. Hinds
    • Sidney Simpsonas Sidney Simpson
    Lewis Howard
    Lewis Howard
    • Freddie Milleras Freddie Miller
    S.Z. Sakall
    S.Z. Sakall
    • Karl Oberas Karl Ober
    Fritz Feld
    Fritz Feld
    • Headwaiteras Headwaiter
    Virginia Brissac
    Virginia Brissac
    • Miss Holdenas Miss Holden
    Romaine Callender
    Romaine Callender
    • Evansas Evans
    Joe King
    Joe King
    • First Mate Kellyas First Mate Kelly
    Mary Kelley
    • Governor's Wifeas Governor's Wife
    Eddie Polo
    Eddie Polo
    • Quarter Masteras Quarter Master
    Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians
    Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians
    • Harry Owens Orchestraas Harry Owens Orchestra
    Harry Owens
    Harry Owens
    • Harry Owens - Royal Hawaiians Orchestra Leaderas Harry Owens - Royal Hawaiians Orchestra Leader
    Eddie Acuff
    Eddie Acuff
    • Ship's Stewardas Ship's Steward
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William A. Seiter
    • Writers
      • Norman Krasna(screen play)
      • Jane Hall(original story)
      • Frederick Kohner(original story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      S.Z. Sakall's American film debut.
    • Goofs
      When John Arlen enters Pamela's room with her dress; she is fixing her hair and a hand mirror is on the vanity table close to the table mirror. But on the next cut, the hand mirror has changed position and is now partially sticking over the edge of the table.
    • Quotes

      Karl Ober: I can't work in New York anyway. Is this place far from here?

      Pamela Drake: Oh, no, Mr. Ober, it's only Maine. You know where Maine is!

      Karl Ober: No.

      Pamela Drake: Oh, it's practically a few minutes from here! You could write fine there.

      Sidney Simpson: 'A few minutes'!

      Pamela Drake: [to Sidney, blithely] Yes!

      [to Ober]

      Pamela Drake: That's all, really.

      Karl Ober: [wagging his finger] Then it isn't quiet enough. I have to go further away from New York.

      Pamela Drake: Oh, good - it *is* far away! Takes a whole day to get there.

      [to Sidney, brightly]

      Pamela Drake: Really, I'm an awful liar, aren't I?

      Sidney Simpson: Yes.

    • Connections
      Edited into Gems of Song (1949)
    • Soundtracks
      Love is All
      (1940)

      Music by Pinky Tomlin

      Lyrics by Harry Tobias

      Piano: Cecilia Loftus (uncredited)

      Sung by Deanna Durbin (uncredited)

    User reviews18

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Worth seeing just because it's S. Z. Sakall's film debut!
    "It's a Date" is a pleasant little film with Deanna Durbin. I think the best part of this one is that although there is some singing, it's not jam-packed full of music and has a decent plot.

    Deanna plays Pamela Drake and Kay Francis plays her mother, Georgia. Georgia is already a famous and accomplished actress and Pamela dreams of becoming one herself. Well, it soon looks like Pamela's dreams will come true when she reads for a relatively small part--but they offer her the lead! However, she needs to cram and learn the part and goes on a cruise. During this trip, she stays to herself and works on her lines but the Captain and a guest, John Arlen (Walter Pidgen) see her talking to herself and don't know she's rehearsing! They think, incorrectly, that she's really depressed--and John decides to use a scheme to get her to focus on him and his supposed problems. He hasn't got any problems and soon she sees through his ruse--but they become good friends.

    When they land, Pamela introduces John to her mother--and tells her that she is in love with John, although he's twice her age. However, over time you aren't certain WHICH lady John is smitten with but things get worse. Soon Pamela realizes that her mother ALSO thinks she's getting the same part that Pamela is rehearsing for--and she doesn't want to disappoint her mother. So what's going to happen? See this cute little family comedy.

    As far as Deanna Durbin films go, it's a bit better than average due to a nice cast. In particular, although it's a relatively small role, it's also the first for S. Z. 'Cuddles' Sakall---one of the most likable supporting actors in history. This alone make it a must-see!

    By the way, I would love to know what audiences of the day thought about their sweetheart, Miss Durbin, falling for an old guy like Pidgeon. I know that a similar May-December pairing in "That Hagen Girl" was NOT good and audiences hated the film. I think seeing a young lady who everyone adored as a child now with a much older man was just too much-- and this might have also been a problem with Durbin.
    helpful•3
    3
    • planktonrules
    • May 4, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 22, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • It Happened in Kaloha
    • Filming locations
      • Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawaii, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $867,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Deanna Durbin, Lewis Howard, and Walter Pidgeon in It's a Date (1940)
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