General Chat

The lovely lady singing Nessun Dorma .................... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inV3RlOTOXM

A sweet lady with a beautiful voice . I remember seeing her in her young days in many lovely films and when she gave up films and settled with her 3nd hubby into family life in France.

Who was her first hubby, seem to remember he was a Vaughan
??

its seems yonks ago and difficult to equate her as being born in 1921 so was some 16 years older than me . she seemed just so young when i saw her in films..

May she now rest in peace,

I also liked her.
A few years ago I asked our Deanna if she was called after Deanna Durbin and she said she was.

ah she was beautiful and had a fabulous voice.

May she rest in peace

I heard this on the radio, Elizabeth, and it brought me right back to my youth! I loved her films and her voice and I so wanted to be her! She lived to a ripe old age, bless <3

RIP indeed - remember her

Dear All

Hello


For those of us who enjoy the old fashioned black and white films,
one of the last remaining Hollywood legends has passed away and
another chapter of Hollywood history has closed.


Miss Durbin's real name was Edna Mae Durbin and she was born in 1921 in Canada. Her parents moved from Lancashire 10 years previously in 1911.

She first found work on the radio and then was spotted by the MGM studios.

Her first film "Three Smart Girls was an immediate sensation
and her films for Universal Studios over the years are reputed to have
saved the studio from bankruptcy.

Her singing voice, beauty and image of the wholesome girl next door meant she was a huge favourite of the public.

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In 1938 she was awarded a special miniature Oscar for her
"significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth."


The film "It Started with Eve" made in 1941, is considered by critics to be her
best film, a superior romantic comedy.

She made only one film in colour, which was "Can't help singing".

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Miss Durbin wanted more dramatic roles, and Robert Siodmak's Christmas Holiday (1944) is now regarded as a worthy film noir.

At the time it was hard for audiences to accept the wholesome Deanna
as a "hostess" in a sleazy road-house.

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At the height of her career and popularity, Miss Durbin decided to leave Hollywood
and her last film was "For the Love of Mary".

She remarried in 1950 and settled in France with her husband and children.

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A few years ago, her films were shown on BBC2 and Channel 4 and received
high viewing ratings.

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Her voice was unique and her renditions of "Danny Boy" and "Nessun Dorma" are incomparable.

She gave joy to millions with her films in the hard years of the 1930's and 1940's.


Rest in peace, Miss Durbin.


Take gentle care
Sincere wishes
EOS
xx