One Touch of Venus (1948)

"Eddie Hatch" (Robert Walker) is a well-meaning young man who just happens to be a low paid window dresser working at a large department store. One day he is given the job of fixing the drapes that surround a recently acquired--but very expensive--statue of Venus and after drinking some champagne he innocently kisses it prior to getting back to his work. Sure enough, the statue becomes the actual "Goddess of Love" (played by Ava Gardner) who takes an instant liking to the bumbling employee. Unfortunately, when Venus comes to life the priceless statue disappears and the rich owner "Whitfield Savory" (Tom Conway) automatically suspects Eddie of stealing it and has him immediately apprehended. But things get even worse for Eddie when Whitfield encounters Venus and falls madly in love with her. Now rather than reveal any more of the movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was a cute musical-comedy which was tailor-made for such a gorgeous actress like Ava Gardner. Also worth mentioning are the performances of both Eve Arden (as "Molly Stewart") and Robert Walker who played their parts quite nicely as well. That said, while it is certainly dated it still remains a fun little movie and I rate it as slightly above average.

This is, arguably, the worst of the major Ava Gardner films. Yes, she is gorgeous. But that can wear thin over time, especially after the corny and predictable movie ending.In this turkey, Robert Walker has to pretend that he's Eddie Bracken (which surely embarrassed him). Olga San Juan plays the Jane Powell (golly, gee) part. Dick Haymes plays a sort of dim sidekick (!), and Eve Arden plays Helen Broderick (and a host of other wise-cracking female semi-comedians). Yes, the film contains a major popular song, "Speak Low." But check out the other, entirely forgettable, pieces. Dick Haymes sings very well, of course, and so does the uncredited vocalist dubbing for Ava.The sets are cheap, the script is filled with clichés and failed humor, and Tom Conway looks as though he has been battling with liquor (as indeed he was). In short, if you want to see Ava in her prime, buy a photo and stay well clear of this movie.

I saw this movie on television and I was so happy when the video came out. Could there be a more beautiful cast and such beautiful songs! Ava Gardner personifies Venus with her beautiful face and body. No body stockings there, her beautiful body is there to be seen! Eddie Hatch is a windows dresser in a department store, kisses the statue of Venus who is on display, who comes to life and spends several hours with Eddie until Zeus calls her home at midnight. Made me cry, Venus didn't want to go home to be a goddess, she wanted to be a mere mortal! And the beautiful songs -- "Don't Look Now But My Heart is Showing" -- a beautiful waltz, which is sung by the cast in Central Park. And "Speak Low When You Speak Love" -- how divine! So, Ava comes back as "Venus Jones" who will be working at the department store, after all the Cinderella stories come true! Lots and lots of tears.I love this movie. Why isn't this on DVD yet? Don't get it!

When Universal-International decided to film ONE TOUCH OF VENUS from the Broadway musical by Kurt Weill they dropped most of the songs, gave it the B&W treatment instead of Technicolor, cast AVA GARDNER in the title role (a non-singer dubbed by Eileen Wilson), and gave boyish ROBERT WALKER, then at the height of his earnest charm as a young leading man and produced it on a low-budget scale.Aside from giving viewers a generous look at AVA GARDNER's charms, it does little else but provide tepid entertainment depending on one memorable song for its sole distinction as a musical: "Speak Low".It's passable enough but the one joke theme of the plot whereby a department store mannequin turns into the real life "Venus" when an adoring employee kisses her, is about all there is to the so called book of this musical.If looking at Ava is enough, you'll have plenty of time to do exactly that--while DICK HAYMES, OLGA SAN JUAN and TOM CONWAY do little to stir things up in any other direction. Haymes is wasted on a couple of forgettable songs.Too bad the studio didn't have more faith in transferring the original to the screen including the Kurt Weill score. As it is, it definitely falls far short of the mark.