Search - One Touch of Venus on DVD

Unlike the famous statue, this Venus has arms!

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 08/15/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"ONE TOUCH OF VENUS is a musical comedy/fantasy about a window dresser named Eddie who kisses a statue of the goddess that then comes to life in the exquisite form of Ava Gardner. Venus falls in love with him; matters are further complicated when Eddie's boss is smitten by her loveliness.


The 1951 version of SHOW BOAT is another stage-to-screen musical that features Miss Gardner.


Parenthetical number prior to title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film research website.

(6.5) One Touch of Venus (1948) - Robert Walker/Ava Gardner/Dick Haymes/Eve Arden/Olga San Juan/Tom Conway (uncredited: Arthur O'Connell)

"ONE TOUCH" TRIVIA--

Mary Martin was Venus on Broadway. Elia Kazan directed this S.J. Perelman play.

Mary Pickford bought the screen rights, intending to bring the original cast to the screen. Later plans included Miss Martin, Frank Sinatra, Clifton Webb and Bert Lahr, but when Mary became pregnant, Pickford sold the rights to UNIVERSAL and the movie was entirely recast. Plans to shoot in Technicolor were also abandoned.

The Venus statue of Ava Gardner originally depicted her in the nude; the studio demanded (and got) a more modest version."

A Musical Minus The Music

Michael B. Druxman | Austin, TX | 10/09/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This 1948 comedy was adapted from a Broadway musical that starred Mary Martin and featured a score by Kurt Weill. Sadly, the music, except for three songs, has been cut from the movie.

The film, directed by William A. Seiter, is reminiscent of TOPPER, HERE COMES MR. JORDAN and other like fantasy-comedies that were popular with movie audiences during the 1930s and 40s.

[During the 1960s, TV shows like BEWITCHED and I DREAM OF JEANNIE filled this void.]

Robert Walker stars as a shy window dresser for a big department store, who impulsively kisses the store's invaluable statue of the Greek goddess, Venus. A moment later, the statue, played by Ava Gardner, has come to life and Walker faints on the spot.

Upon awakening, poor Robert discovers that he's in very big trouble. He's being pursued by the cops for stealing the statute and, if that isn't bad enough, it appears that Venus won't return to her pedestal because she has fallen in love with him. Even worse, his jealous girl friend (Olga San Juan) is convinced that he's been unfaithful.

Dick Haymes, Eve Arden and Tom Conway co-star in what is still a clever, if somewhat silly, romp that should entertain the entire family.

© Michael B. Druxman"

A memory from the past

Anita C. Hall-Ratoff | NH | 11/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think I was about 15 when I saw this on TV and for the past 40 years wanted to see it again. It was quirky, but I was so glad to be able to see it. There are several movies that I hope are brought back, just because they were enjoyable."

Old movies are the best

K. Moore | Silver Spring, Md | 01/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saw this movie when I was a teenager and loved it. Now some 25 years later I wanted to see it again. Bought it and enjoyed it all over again. Old movies are the best!"