GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Manthast Absolutely amazing

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

SimonJack "It Started with Eve" is one of those Hollywood movies with not an inkling of a clue as to the title. Sometimes, the studios would make films based on a script that would have a book verse or well-known quotation in the title. Or, something similar that gave a clue as to the title. Then, with rewrites in the script, or directing changes or cuts in the editing process, the clue part was deleted from the finished product. Most of the time it didn't make much difference, because what was described had little to do with what actually takes place in the film. This is all to say that the title of this film makes no sense and gives no hint as to what the movie is about. That aside, the film is a very good one. It's a wonderful romantic comedy combo, with a touch of music. The plot was so successful that Hollywood would copy it and revise it for later movies. The cast is an interesting pairing of actors one wouldn't normally think of associating together in film. But, they work beautifully together here. I think the three leads have about equal time on screen. Deanna Durbin got top billing because she was the darling and top box office attraction for Universal at the time. She is sweet and funny as Anne Terry, and gives us just a couple of samples of her beautiful signing voice. Robert Cummings is Johnny Reynolds, who behaves frantically as he jumps from the kettle into the fire throughout the film. Cummings developed an indecisive, stuttering persona that appears in much of his film and TV work. Charles Laughton is Jonathan Reynolds, the dying patriarch who regains his health and spirits when Johnny introduces Anne to him as his fiancé. Several others of the cast do very well. Water Catlett is exceptional as Doctor Harvey, and Charles Coleman is a hoot as Roberts, the butler. Much of the comedy evolves around Laughton's character and that of the doctor. So, Jonathan clearly is the driving force, literally in the script, around whose plotting and conniving the subsequent scenes of the story play out. It is a very clever screenplay, and just the type of work that Laughton loved to sink his teeth into. Durbin and Cummings are the romance waiting to happen, and they add considerable humor in their efforts to deal with the changes as the plot unfolds. We wonder how long it will be until the inevitable happens. On the outskirts of this are a fiancé and wannabe mother- in-law, whom we know don't stand a chance after the opening scene. The musical score for this film is quite good and received an Oscar nomination. Laughton was just 42-years old when he made this film, playing here someone around 60. I thought it was interesting that he was supposed to have lost considerable weight. Indeed, even with the much over-sized clothing used for his part, he doesn't have the heavier physical appearance of later films – or of some of his earlier films. He always was a rotund person, but perhaps he had a period around this time in which he lost some weight. I noted a bit of interesting trivia under his IMDb biography. Laughton apparently was the first actor to play Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. He starred in the stage play of "Alibi" in 1928. He also is said to have discovered actress Maureen O'Hara. Here are some sample comedy lines from the movie. Jonathan, Johnny and the doctor are walking up the stairs together. Johnny, "How do you feel, dad?" Jonathan, "How do I know? Ask him."Doctor Harvey, "Jonathan, I have a very pleasant surprise for you." Jonathan, "How long will you be gone?"A waiter brings a huge fancy drink (the kind tourists fawn over in Hawaii and other exotic places) to the table in the nightclub. Anne, "What's that?" Jonathan, "It's a Reynold's Special." Anne, "Oh, but you shouldn't be dri …..what's in it?" Jonathan, "Oh, it's, uh, nothing but coconut milk and vegetable juices, and Dr. Harvey orders it for me. It's a … (he takes a big sip through straws) .. It's horrible." Anne, "Then why do you drink it?" Jonathan, "Well, because it reminds me of Dr. Harvey, and it makes me hate him and when I hate him I feel good."

mark.waltz Wealthy Robert Cummings is engaged to an uppity socialite who is out of town on vacation when Cummings finds out that his wealthy father (Charles Laughton), one of the richest men in America, is supposedly on his deathbed. He hires a double (Deanna Durbin) to pose as her so the old man can die happy. But Laughton (looking realistic in old age make-up and with a convincing elderly strut) doesn't die. Meeting Durbin has revised his zest for life, and he demands to see her again after Cummings has sent her on her way out of New York and hopefully out of his life. Cummings' fiancée and her pearl-twirling mama (played by W.C. Fields' frequent butt of jokes, Catherine Doucet) arrive, but Cummings must continue the facade to pacify his papa. By a twist of fate, Laughton learns of the scheme, and pretends he hasn't recovered so he can continue to get Cummings and Durbin together.This entertaining screwball comedy with a couple of light-hearted songs for Durbin is overloaded with silliness, but is pleasing on many levels, particularly for the lively performances of Laughton and Durbin. Walter Catlett is hysterically funny as Laughton's doctor who gets progressively as ill as Laughton was while his patient recovers. A lively squabble between Durbin and Cummings leads to a hysterically funny chase sequence around a huge dining table with a living room chair an active prop. In smaller roles, Guy Kibbee and Clara Blandick are memorable as a local preacher and Laughton's Miss Preen like nurse. In their few scenes together, Laughton and Blandick (best known as Auntie Em in "The Wizard of Oz") reminded me of Monty Woolley and Mary Wickes in the same year's "The Man Who Came to Dinner". There is a nice gag near the film's close that is sure to leave the viewer with a giant smile.

theowinthrop Charles Laughton had a personality that was totally dominating, as one can see in his greatest performances as Henry VIII, Captain Bligh, Quasimodo, Sir Wilfred Robards, Henry Horatio Hobson. But he knew (for the most part) when to control his more hammy moments. It is unfair to compare him with his sometime co-star Robert Newton, as Newton had an alcohol problem not shared by Laughton. But Newton's overblown, drunken performances (like his BLACKBEARD) are never matched by Laughton, the consummate professional. Laughton could do a role badly due to poor script or direction. Commander Sturm, the jealous submarine commander married to Talullah Bankhead, is one of his worse parts. But they are usually early roles. Once he was established he rarely made such missteps.IT STARTED WITH EVE is not one of Laughton's greatest film parts, but it is a feel good comedy. He plays Jonathan Reynolds Sr., a multi-millionaire who is on his death bed. He only wants to see his son (Bob Cummings) and his son's fiancé once before he dies. But the fiancé is not in New York City yet (she will be the next day). So Cummings takes a hat check girl (Deanna Durbin) with him to introduce to his father as "Gloria" his fiancé. Unfortunately, Durbin's personality is very pleasing to the old man - and his spirits rising, his health improves. This brings all sorts of complications up, not even just for Cummings and Durbin.For example,a side issue in the first half hour of the film - two harpies from the national museum are there to make a death mask of Mr. Reynolds. They are sitting quietly waiting for the good news (that Reynolds is dead and they can make their death mask). Every time it looks promising, they perk up - only to be forced to wait longer. Then, when Durbin plays the piano and sings for Laughton, he gets out of bed to hear it. The two men realize that this is hopeless, and pack up and leave.Cummings' character is faulted for not confronting his father with the truth, and turning wimpish. It is not quite fair. The doctor (Walter Catlett) feels that Laughton's health has to rebuild itself for awhile before the truth can be revealed, and he convinces Cummings not to tell Laughton that Durbin is not his future daughter-in-law.All three leads actually blend quite nicely, Laughton's tendency to dominate reduced because he is recovering from his illness (although his booming dominance reappears once, when he gets impatient with Cummngs not supposedly forgetting a quarrel with Durbin, and starts shouting, "Say you forgive her, say you forgive her" in his best Bligh tones). Durbin, who was a good actress when the right part came her way, easily ingratiates herself with Laughton by being his lookout when he smokes his forbidden cigars. Cummings trying to figure out how to break up with the false "Gloria", and to reintroduce the real "Gloria" actually is not so wimpish at just pathetically unable to carry out any of his schemes successfully. Add to the three Walter Catlett, here playing a decent doctor who has gotten onto Laughton's nerves (because of his forcing Laughton to lose weight and to stop smoking) gives a fine performance as he is slowly driven to distraction by his patient's antics. Not a great film, but a good example of a studio inspired comedy that is well worth watching.

janhunt-1 This is an absolutely delicious film! Laughton steals the show as always, in a role similar to the one Walter Connolly played in "It Happened One Night". If you love 40's films and mistaken identity plots, you won't be disappointed. Deanna Durbin was perfectly cast and has a lovely rapport with Laughton. She is radiant when singing, and her voice is natural and beautiful. At the age of 27, she walked away from stardom to have a secluded life. We can at least be thankful for the films she made.A real gem from start to finish!