Spring Parade

Spring Parade is a lovely, lilting, swirling romantic musical that Deanna Durbin fans are sure to enjoy. A fortune teller in a small Austrian village claims that perky Ilonka (Durbin) is destined to marry an "artist" whom she'll meet in Vienna. Ilonka is puzzled because she doesn't live in Vienna, but miraculously ends up there after falling asleep in a hay wagon. She meets a soldier drummer (Robert Cummings) who has the potential to be a talented composer (as such, an artist), but the military won't let him. To gain recognition, Ilonka smuggles one of his compositions to the Austrian Emperor in one of his weekly pastry deliveries. Difficulties and misunderstandings inevitably follow, although Ilonka's hair-brained act sets the stage for a melodious and happy fulfillment of the fortune teller's predictions. Deanna's charming singing voice is a treasure to the ears. Product Description

A Delightful Deanna Durbin Film

This wonderful and long-negleted film full of charm and happiness is one of Deanna Durbin's best. The mood is lighter than air in an original story by Ernst Marischka adapted to the screen for producer Joe Pasternak by Bruce Manning and Felix Jackson.

Directed by Henry Koster, who helmed many of Deanna Durbin's best films, this delicious pastry has a great cast and three memorable songs from Robert Stolz and Gus Kahn. Deanna and Anne Gwynne both look lovely in gowns by Vera West and the musical direction of Charles Previn puts the icing on the cake for a fun film to watch.

Deanna is a peasant girl from the mountains on her way to the fair to sell her goat. Ilonka (Durbin) haggles with Mischa Auer over the price and before it's all over, they have a dance to decide who will prevail that is truly fun. It is the six cents she spends on a fortune card that shows the way, however, telling her she will find romance in Vienna and love will hit her with a stick!

Ilonka has no intention of traveling to Vienna and thinks she's been had until she finds herself on a hay cart driven by baker S.Z. Sakall. His destination, of course, is Vienna, and Ilonka begins to believe there might indeed be love in her future.

There is a terrific scene full of magic where Ilonka, a simple girl from the country, sees the lights of Vienna for the first time. The baker from Poland, whose only dream is to be the official baker for the Emperor, takes Ilonka into his shop and home along with his two nephews (Butch and Buddy) and daughter Jenny (Anne Gwynne).

When a mix-up occurs regarding a note from a young Army drummer meant for the engaged Jenny, Ilonka finds herself falling in love with the brash Harry (Robert Cummings). His dream to compose music fits right in with her fortune, which says he will be an artist. The scene at the wine garden where they dine and dance to "Waltzing In the Clouds" is what the movies are all about.

There are the usual romantic complications and Ilonka will have to charm the wise Emperor (Henry Stephenson) to make it all right again. Before you get there, however, there are charming scenes like a kiss behind a pillar in the moonlight, and Ilonka getting hit in the head with a stick! It's all just sheer and delightful fluff.

Bob Cummings does everything right here, as usual, and Deanna Durbin shines in a film best described as simply, happy. Songs like "Waltzing In the Clouds," "It's Foolish but It's Fun," and "When April Sings" add some sparkling musical moments to the story. A trip to the baker may be in order after watching this sweet confection. An absolute must for Deanna's fans. May 18, 2008

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