SOMETHING IN THE WIND

MOVIE INFORMATION:
Universal International – 1947
1 Hour, 29 Minutes
Black & White

MAIN CREDITS:
Producer…Joseph Sistrom
Director…Irving Pichel
Screenplay…Harry Kurnitz
Music…Johnny Green

MAIN CHARACTERS:
Mary Collins…Deanna Durbin
Donald Reed…John Dall
Charlie Reed…Donald O’Connor
Grandma Reed…Margaret Wycherly
Chester Reed…Charles Winninger
Aunt Mary…Jean Adair
Clarissa Prentice…Helena Carter
Tony…Jan Peerce

MOVIE SYNOPSIS:
Radio announcer, Mary Collins has a morning show, but doesn’t have a sponsor. After the show one day, Mary is told that there is a man waiting to meet her. The man is Donald Reed, who tells her that he is the grandson of the late Henry Reed, and that he is going to stop his grandfather’s payments to her. Mary has no idea what he is talking about and storms off when Donald suggests that she has been Henry’s mistress. When Mary arrives home she tells her Aunt, whose name is also Mary, all about her meeting with Donald. Aunt Mary explains to her niece that it’s a case of mistaken identity and that she is the one who has been receiving the payments. Many years ago, Aunt Mary was the governess to Henry Reed’s sister’s children and it wasn’t too long before they fell in love. They weren’t allowed to marry because she wasn’t considered good enough for him. Henry ended up marrying someone else, but started sending money to Aunt Mary on a regular basis. Mary is unhappy about her Aunt’s association with the Reed Family and even thinks about getting revenge. Meanwhile, the Reed family are concerned that their reputation will be tarnished because Mary may sell her story about her relationship with Henry. Also, Donald’s fiancée, Clarissa Prentice may have second thoughts about marrying him if a scandal develops. They decide to pay Mary in order to keep her mouth shut. The next day, Donald and his cousin, Charlie go to the radio station and kidnap Mary. When they arrive at the family mansion, Mary pretends that she was really Henry’s mistress. The Reed family are shocked to learn that there is a baby involved and that Mary wants a million dollars to settle. Mary is then told that she can’t leave the house until legal papers are drawn and signed. Charlie privately tells Mary that he knows she is a fake, but he promises not to tell. He then asks Mary to help him break-up Donald and Clarissa because Charlie secretly loves her. That night Clarissa arrives at the mansion, so Mary takes that opportunity to tell her that it was Donald who had brought her there which causes Clarissa to leave in a rage. At a fashion show, Mary makes things worse by flirting with Donald in front of Clarissa and her father. Clarissa breaks off the engagement which makes Charlie happy. To get Mary to sign the papers, Donald goes to her room and does his best in being nice to her. After kissing they both realise that they have fallen in love. That night, Grandma Reed tells Mary that Donald would have to give up too much to marry her. Mary is so sick and tired of the whole thing that she decides to go back home. Aunt Mary tells her niece that she has been requested to go to New York that very day. Meanwhile, Uncle Chester calls the police to have Mary charged for attempted extortion. When Mary arrives at the airport she is arrested and put in jail. Uncle Chester then visits Mary at the jail and tells her he will get her out if she will sign the papers and give him half the money, but she refuses. Mary calls Donald from jail, but he and Charlie are drunk and miserable because Grandma Reed has convinced Clarissa to take Donald back. Donald finally arrives at the jail to try to get Mary released. The Reed lawyers then arrive with the papers and Mary signs them. Mary tells Donald that she only stayed around for the million dollars. Aunt Mary returns the money to Grandma Reed telling her that Mary had no intention of keeping it. She also tells Grandma Reed that she too was once in love with a Reed and that one broken heart is enough for any family. Mary is then invited to appear on a television show, but is unaware that it is sponsored by the Reeds. Behind the Cameras she sees that Charlie and Clarissa are now together. When Mary sees Donald she embraces him and everyone is happy.

THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: 21 July 1947.

The Turntable Song written by Johnny Green & Leo Robin is brilliantly performed by Mary Collins (Deanna Durbin) at Station WFOB:



CLICK HERE

Happy Go Lucky And Free written by Johnny Green & Leo Robin is beautifully sung by Mary.

Charlie Reed (Donald O'Connor) watches Mary as she thinks about the million dollars:



CLICK HERE

Uncle Chester (Charles Winninger) is told by Charlie not to follow him and Mary into the library:

Charlie performs a crazy song & dance routine for Mary:



CLICK HERE

Charlie tells Mary that she is a fake, but burns the cheques because of his love for Clarissa:

At a fashion show attended by Donald Reed (John Dall), Mary sings You Wanna Keep Your Baby Looking Right written by Johnny Green & Leo Robin:



NOTE: Johnny Green with his own orchestra make an appearance at the fashion show.

CLICK HERE

Mary falls in love with Donald as she sings Something In The Wind written by Johnny Green & Leo Robin.



NOTE: Andy Williams performs in this scene as a member of The Williams Brothers.

CLICK HERE

Mary contemplates her new found love for Donald:

Grandma Reed (Margaret Wycherly) tells Mary that a romantic relationship with Donald would be a mistake:



CLICK HERE

Mary is heartbroken as she sings It's Only Love written by Johnny Green & Leo Robin.

Mary rejects Uncle Chester's partnership deal of $500,000 for her jail release:

Mary and Tony (Jan Peerce) sing Il Miserere from Verdi's IL TROVATORE.



CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

Mary finally signs the legal papers that give her the million dollars:

Mary finally decides to sing after Charlie fails to hit the high notes:

Deanna Durbin takes a break during filming of SOMETHING IN THE WIND:

Here are some mistakes found in SOMETHING IN THE WIND:

Just before Mary is kidnapped, she is singing in the studio, but the clock on the wall does not correspond to her 10 am radio show.

Grandma Reed correctly calls the butler Bronson, but Donald is heard to call him Bronston.

MEMORABLE LINES:

Mary Collins says to Donald Reed, "Look buster, you climb right back into your nutshell and roll out of here. I never laid eyes on your grandfather, and right now the only thing about him that appeals to me is that he is the late Henry Reed. I wish I could say the same for you!"

During the production of SOMETHING IN THE WIND, Deanna Durbin and John Dall enjoyed lunches in her trailer.



CLICK HERE

Deanna Durbin with disc jockey Al Jarvis:

Deanna Durbin with Bert Allenberg on the set of SOMETHING IN THE WIND:

Deanna Durbin with Donald O'Connor and John Dall:



SOMETHING IN THE WIND was Donald o'Conner's first movie after his time in the military.

The original working title was FOR THE LOVE OF MARY.