That Certain Age *** (1938, Deanna Durbin, Melvyn Douglas, Jackie Cooper, Irene Rich, John Halliday, Nancy Carroll) – Classic Movie Review 8361

Director Edward Ludwig’s 1938 black and white comedy musical That Certain Age stars Deanna Durbin as rich, wholesome young Alice Fullerton, who develops a sudden passion for dashing, sophisticated older reporter Vincent Bullitt (Melvyn Douglas) after her father, newspaper magnate Gilbert Fullerton (John Halliday), invites Bullitt to his home to write a series of articles on European affairs. But what is Alice to do about her Boy Scout boyfriend Ken Warren (Jackie Cooper) and their amateur show?

Everything is much too sweet and nice in this rather daft and uninventive original story by credited to F Hugh Herbert, with the screenplay by Bruce Manning. However, Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett worked uncredited on the script, so you would expect more wit, edge and cynicism in the finished product. But the stars turn in smooth, appealing performances and That Certain Age does entertain in a mild, pleasant, relaxed sort of way.

Durbin sings the cute ‘My Own’ (music by Jimmy McHugh, lyrics by Harold Adamson) and Irene Rich and John Halliday please as her character’s parents.

Also in the cast are Nancy Carroll, Charles Coleman, Jackie Searle, Juanita Quigley, Peggy Stewart, Grant Mitchell, Lon McCallister and Russell Hicks.

It was nominated for two Oscars: Best Music, Original Song ‘My Own’ (music by Jimmy McHugh, lyrics by Harold Adamson) and Best Sound, Recording (Bernard B Brown).

It was popular as the 12th top US box office grossing movie of 1938.

That Certain Age is the definitive show of the Troop 536 Boy Scouts of Los Angeles.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8361

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com