His Butler's Sister

1943 film

Samuel Hoffenstein
Elizabeth Reinhardt

Produced byFelix JacksonStarringDeanna DurbinCinematographyElwood BredellEdited byTed J. KentMusic byHans J. Salter

Production
company

Universal Pictures

Distributed byUniversal Pictures

Release date

November 26, 1943 (1943-11-26)

Running time

87 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBox office$1.7 million (US rentals)^[1] or $1,750,000^[2]

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]

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

^ "Top Grossers of the Season", Variety, January 5, 1944 p. 54
^ 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.
^ Mark Deming (2009). "His Butler's Sister (1943)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
^ "His Butler's Sister". FilmAffinity. filmaffinity.com. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
^ "The 17th Academy Awards (1945) Nominees and Winners". Oscars. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
^ DRAMA: Sheehan Will Produce Life of Rickenbacker Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times January 29, 1943: 23.
^ News of the Screen The Christian Science Monitor ]Apr 29, 1943: 16.
^ Franchot Tone to Appear With Deanna Durbin 'My Girl Godfrey' -- New Hal Roach Comedy Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. May 25, 1943: 19.
^ DRAMA AND FILM: WHILE THE FILMS REEL BY New Deanna Durbin Brought to Screen Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times August 1, 1943: C2.