HIS BUTLER'S SISTER

MOVIE INFORMATION:
Universal Studios - 1943
1 Hour, 34 Minutes
Black & White

MAIN CREDITS:
Producer…Felix Jackson
Director…Frank Borzage
Screenplay…Sam Hoffenstein
Music…Charles Previn

MAIN CHARACTERS:
Ann Carter…Deanna Durbin
Charles Gerard…Franchot Tone
Martin Murphy…Pat O’Brien
Elizabeth Campbell…Evelyn Ankers
Mort Kalb…Walter Catlett
Severina…Elsa Jannsen
Popoff…Akim Tamiroff

MOVIE SYNOPSIS:
Ann Carter is on a train going to New York to see her half brother, Martin Murphy. Ann hopes to make it big as a singer and when she overhears that Broadway composer, Charles Gerard is on board, she decides to audition for him. She goes to the wrong compartment and ends up singing for a travelling salesman instead. Ann finally arrives at the fancy penthouse where Martin is living, but he soon confesses that he is only the butler and that Charles Gerard is the real owner. Martin lets Ann stay the night and she is happy to help with the housework. The next morning, Ann meets the cook, Severina and becomes good friends with her. While Ann is vacuuming, she is interrupted by Charles who thinks that she is the new maid. Martin reluctantly allows Ann to act as the maid and immediately puts her to work. He sends her to do some shopping and along the way she meets a group of butlers including Popoff who befriends her. The next night, Charles has a party at the penthouse and invites his girlfriend, Elizabeth Campbell. Broadway producer, Mort Kalb is also at the party and takes an instant liking to Ann. Elizabeth informs Charles that she is going to Maine and wants him to join her to which he agrees. The next morning, Martin convinces Charles to fire Ann because there won’t be enough for her to do at the penthouse. While Charles is in the bathroom, Ann takes the opportunity to sing for him, but he mistakes her performance for a radio broadcast. Ann then goes to Mort hoping to audition for him. Their meeting is interrupted by Charles who informs Mort that he has decided to abandon their play. Ann tells Charles that it would be a mistake not to go ahead with the play, but he doesn’t appreciate her comments. That night, Popoff is celebrating his birthday with his fellow butlers at a Russian café and he decides to invite Ann. Unexpectedly, Charles arrives at the café and immediately asks Ann to dance with him. He tells her that she was right about not abandoning the play and that he would stay in town. They walk home hand in hand and fall in love. Before going to bed, Martin speaks to Ann and insists that she leave the penthouse, but she refuses to go because she is convinced that Charles loves her. The next morning, Martin tricks Charles into believing that Ann was only using him to further her career and is not really in love with him. Charles then confronts Ann regarding her real intentions, but she denies seeking an audition. When Martin refuses to leave the room, Charles fires him and gets the impression that Ann and Martin are involved in a relationship. The next morning, Ann is packed and ready to go back to Indiana, but Martin convinces her to stay and sing at the Butler’s Ball. Charles also goes to the ball looking for Ann where Severina informs him that Martin and Ann are only brother and sister. Ann then sings an aria and Charles is amazed at her beautiful voice. They are reunited much to the joy of Martin.

When Ann Carter (Deanna Durbin) is "auditioning" to the travelling girdle salesman, she sings In The Spirit Of The Moment written by Bernie Grossman & Walter Jurmann.

Ann arrives unexpectedly at the penthouse where Martin Murphy (Pat O'Brien) is the butler.



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Charles Gerard (Franchot Tone) thinks that Ann is the new maid.

Ann goes shopping in her new role as the maid.

Martin tells Ann to have a deadpan look when serving guests.

When You're Away written by Victor Herbert & Henry Blossom is sung by Ann, but Charles Gerard (Franchot Tone) thinks the radio is playing.



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Mort Kalb (Walter Catlett) is a real wolf when it comes to beautiful women like Ann.



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Ann sings a Russian Medley at a birthday party for Popoff (Akim Tamiroff) at the Russian cafe.



These are the songs that are part of the Russian Medley:

Hey, Coachman, Drive To The Ravine

Garden Wicket

Two Guitars

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Charles enjoys dancing with Ann and then takes her away from the Russian cafe.

Charles dumps Ann after Martin convinces him that she was only interested in getting an audition.

None Shall Sleep (Nessun Dorma) from Puccini's opera TURANDOT is brilliantly sung by Ann.



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Ann reunites with Charles.

Deanna did cover her wedding ring with a larger ring and also sometimes with tape. HIS BUTLER'S SISTER is the movie where it's obvious that she has a tape on her finger when she is dancing with Franchot Tone in the Russian cafe.

Deanna Durbin and Pat O'Brien enjoy a chat and a cup of coffee between shooting scenes:

MEMORABLE LINES:

Popoff says to Martin, "You know, I'm nine years in America; seven years I've spent waiting for a woman."

One obvious mistake is when Ann is singing In The Spirit Of The Moment. Notice how the shape of her eyebrows change from one camera shot to another.

Deanna Durbin with Felix Jackson and Frank Borzage on lunch during the production of HIS BUTLER'S SISTER:

Deanna Durbin with Pat O'Brien and Franchot Tone take a stroll together at Universal Studios during a break in filming scenes of HIS BUTLER'S SISTER:

Deanna Durbin & Pat O'Brien finding time to have fun on the set of HIS BUTLER'S SISTER:

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS:
Best Sound Recording

The movie title MY GIRL GODFRY was considered instead of HIS BUTLER'S SISTER.



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