It's a Date (1940)

62% of users liked it
(66 ratings)

In It's a Date, the teenage diva Deanna Durbin is cast as Pamela Drake, the daughter of celebrated stage actress Georgia Drake (Kay Francis). Hoping to find success as an actress herself, Pamela energetically lobbies for the role of the maid in an upcoming play based on the life of St. Bernadette --… More In It's a Date, the teenage diva Deanna Durbin is cast as Pamela Drake, the daughter of celebrated stage actress Georgia Drake (Kay Francis). Hoping to find success as an actress herself, Pamela energetically lobbies for the role of the maid in an upcoming play based on the life of St. Bernadette -- a role that has already been given to Georgia. When those conducting the auditions hear Pamela's singing, however, they quickly change their mind and offer the part to her. The rivalry between Pamela and Georgia intensifies when both fall in love with handsome middle-ager John Arlen (Walter Pidgeon). Innumerable complications follow, leading to a happy ending for both mother and daughter, though not quite the ending that either one had in mind. Deanna Durbin's musical repertoire this time out includes "Musetta's Street Song" from La Bohème, "Loch Lomond," "Love Is All," and a curious climactic rendition of "Ave Maria." It's a Date was remade in 1950 as Nancy Goes to Rio, with Jane Powell and Ann Sothern. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: William A. Seiter
Genres: Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 22, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Jul 24, 1991

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's purposefully pleasant and bland.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Predictable romance comedy, but the comedy is pretty funny, so it's an okay movie.

Cast

            Deanna Durbin as Pamela Drake

            Kay Francis as Georgia Drake

            Walter Pidgeon as John Arlen

            Samuel S. Hinds as Sidney Simpson

            Eugene Pallette as Governor

            Henry Stephenson as Capt. Andrews

            S.Z. Sakall as Carl Ober

            Cecilia Loftus as Sarah Frankenstein

            Lewis Howard as Freddie Miller

            Fritz Feld as Headwaiter

            Virginia Brissac as Holden

            Romaine Callender as Evans

            Eddie Polo as Quartermaster

            Eddie Acuff as Ship's Steward

            John Arledge as Newcomer

            Leon Belasco as Captain

            John Day as Sleepy-Eyed Blonde

            Anna Demetrio as Cook

            Joseph King as First Mate

            Fay McKenzie
            
            Phyllis Ruth
            
            Charles Lane as Horner

            Virginia Engels as Young Girl

            Linda Deane
            
            Mary Pat Kelly as Governor's Wife

            Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians
            
            Mark Anthony as Officer
See full cast