His Butler's Sister

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]

His Butler's Sister
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Frank Borzage
Produced by	Felix Jackson
Screenplay by	Samuel Hoffenstein Elizabeth Reinhardt
Starring	Deanna Durbin
Music by	Hans J. Salter
Cinematography	Elwood Bredell
Edited by	Ted J. Kent
Production company	Universal Pictures
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	November 26, 1943
Running time	87 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1.7 million (US rentals)[1] or $1,750,000[2]

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

• Deanna Durbin as Ann Carter
• Franchot Tone as Charles Gerard
• Pat O'Brien as Martin Murphy
• Akim Tamiroff as Popoff
• Alan Mowbray as Buzz Jenkins
• Walter Catlett as Mortimer Kalb
• Elsa Janssen as Severina
• Evelyn Ankers as Elizabeth Campbell
• Frank Jenks as Emmett
• Sig Arno as Moreno
• Hans Conried as Reeves
• Florence Bates as Lady Sloughberry
• Roscoe Karns as Fields
• Russell Hicks as Sanderson
• Andrew Tombes as Brophy
• Stephanie Bachelor as Dot Stanley
• Marion Pierce as Margaret Howard
• Iris Adrian as Sunshine Twin
• Robin Raymond as Sunshine Twin

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. "His Butler's Sister (1943)". The New York Times. 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. DRAMA: Sheehan Will Produce Life of Rickenbacker Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times January 29, 1943: 23.
7. News of the Screen The Christian Science Monitor ]Apr 29, 1943: 16.
8. Franchot Tone to Appear With Deanna Durbin 'My Girl Godfrey' -- New Hal Roach Comedy Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. May 25, 1943: 19.
9. DRAMA AND FILM: WHILE THE FILMS REEL BY New Deanna Durbin Brought to Screen Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times August 1, 1943: C2.

External links

• His Butler's Sister at the American Film Institute Catalog
• His Butler's Sister at IMDb