The Voice of the Turtle (1947)

I agree wholeheartedly with the many reviewers who found this a delightful romantic comedy,but must disagree strongly with the few who found the title inappropriate. It comes from Chapter 2 of The Song Of Songs, a highly erotic poem, and the particular passage celebrates the return of spring, the time of love. What could be more appropriate? As for the turtle, at the time of the King James translation of the Bible that meant turtle dove. The complete passage is: For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in the land.I think the passage is lovely, and an excellent source for the title, referring as it does to the return of spring to the heroine's heart.

In some of my past reviews I have been rather critical of some of the performances of Ronald Reagan and have described them as "wooden". While this is sometimes the case, I have also recently seen a few Reagan films that I've really enjoyed and THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE is the best of them--mostly because of Reagan's easy-going and effective acting. The fact that the script was also very well-written sure helped, too.Eleanor Parker has a ditsy and obnoxious friend (Eve Arden) who has arranged two dates at the same time. So, when her first date arrives (Reagan), Arden makes up a lie and dumps him. Since Reagan is a soldier on leave during WWII in a strange city, he doesn't know what to do AND hotels are pretty much booked up for the whole weekend he's in town (getting hotels was a serious problem during the war). Parker is a nice lady and offers to put him up, though this is very unusual for a film from the 1940s--having a single man cohabiting with a single woman! In fact, throughout the movie, there is an undercurrent of sexuality that make this a very interesting curio for the time---so much so that I'd nominate this film as "the sexiest film of 1947".Not too surprisingly, after spending time together, Reagan and Parker start to have strong feelings towards each other. These scenes are very well done and romantic. The only catches are that Eve Arden keeps trying to horn in on their time and that it slowly becomes clear that Parker is a bit of an Obsessive/Compulsive nut--a nice nut, but still a nut nonetheless! What I particularly liked about the romance was that because it was to have taken place just during a weekend, although the two did fall in love, they did not get married or have a resolution to the romance. Having them marry would have been a bit ridiculous and not at all realistic. But, having them profess their love and letting the film end soon after this was unconventional but effective. About the only thing I didn't like about the film was its stupid title and references to turtles that were irrelevant. Not surprisingly, this film was later retitled thanks to the public also finding the title silly. All in all, a cute and engaging romance that would make a good date movie--provided the couple loves and appreciates older films.

John Van Druten opens up his play in brilliant fashion for the screen by introducing a number of interesting characters. The film is romantic comedy at its best and it is shameful that this charming movie is not on tape or DVD and is not better known. Ronald Reagan is at his affable best and Eve Arden excels as always; the supporting cast includes Wayne Morris (in real life a true war hero), Kent Smith and John Emory. The real delight, however, is the performance of Eleanor Parker. To put it simply, she is completely captivating! Doug McClelland, in his book ELEANOR PARKER:WOMAN OF A THOUSAND FACES, is right on target when he comments on her versatility and her dazzling range as an actress of unsurpassed gifts. VOICE OF THE TURTLE is a complete delight no matter how many times it is viewed.

Eleanor Parker was approaching the peak of her career when she was cast as Sally Middleton, the slightly daffy heroine of this charming wartime romantic comedy. Ronald Reagan, fresh from his stint in the service, returned to play a soldier who finds himself falling for the charming actress and staying overnight (innocently) in her apartment. Eve Arden is on hand for comic relief as the heroine's best friend and gets some hearty laughs with her usual witty observations and Wayne Morris has a secondary role as her Naval commander boyfriend. Kent Smith is wasted as a producer unwilling to make a relationship commitment with Parker. Eleanor Parker carries most of the film and proves adept at the physical comedy--notably in a scene where she prepares a sofabed for her Army soldier, empties ashtrays and primps pillows--all in harmony with Max Steiner's jaunty background score.One of Reagan's better post-war films with his usual amiable performance as the decent soldier--and far and away one of Miss Parker's most fetching roles.