The Voice of the Turtle (film)
The Voice of the Turtle is a 1947 American romantic comedy film directed by Irving Rapper and starring Ronald Reagan, Eleanor Parker, Eve Arden and Wayne Morris. It was produced and distributed by Warner Brothers. It was based on the long-running 1943 stage play The Voice of the Turtle by John Van Druten.[3] In the 1950s, the film was rereleased and aired on television under the title One for the Book.[4]
| The Voice of the Turtle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Irving Rapper |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | The Voice of the Turtle 1943 play by John Van Druten |
| Produced by | Charles Hoffman |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Sol Polito |
| Edited by | Rudi Fehr |
| Music by | Max Steiner |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,380,000[1] |
| Box office | $2,450,000 (US rentals)[2] or $3,116,000[1] |
Plot
In December 1944 in New York City, naïve young actress Sally Middleton is jilted by her lover, a theatrical producer, for becoming too serious about their relationship. Although she vows to not allow herself to fall in love again, Sally agrees to a dinner date with Bill Page, an Army sergeant on a weekend pass who is rejected by Sally's friend, the sophisticated Olive Lashbrooke.
When Bill has trouble finding a hotel room, he spends the weekend at Sally's apartment. Although they sleep in separate rooms, the arrangement creates awkward situations for Sally, especially when she finds herself developing feelings for Bill.
Olive has second thoughts about Bill and makes romantic overtures. However, Bill has fallen for Sally and convinces her to overcome her fears and start a romance with him.
Cast
- Ronald Reagan as Sgt. Bill Page
- Eleanor Parker as Sally Middleton
- Eve Arden as Olive Lashbrooke
- Kent Smith as Kenneth Bartlett
- Wayne Morris as Cmdr. Ned Burling
- John Emery as George Harrington
- Erskine Sanford as Storekeeper
- John Holland as Henry Atherton
- Nanette Bordeaux as French Girl
Box office
According to Warner Bros. records, the film earned $2,617,000 domestically and $499,000 foreign.[1]
Reception
Many critics compared the film to the original play, which finished its Broadway run one week after the film's release. Time magazine complained that the film "is most coyly prurient where the play was most pleasantly candid" while The New York Times found the film version more satisfying because it was "morally wholesome and ideally romantic."[5]
References
- Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 28 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
- "Top Grossers of 1948", Variety 5 January 1949 p 46
- T.M.P. (December 26, 1947). "The Voice of the Turtle (1947) 'Voice Turtle' Becomes Movie". The New York Times.
- Greg Ferrara. "One for the Book (1948)". TCM.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
- Schildcrout, Jordan (2019). In the Long Run: A Cultural History of Broadway's Hit Plays. New York and London: Routledge. p. 73. ISBN 978-0367210908.