My Sister Eileen (1942 film)

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My Sister Eileen
1942MySisterEileenPoster.jpg
Original poster
Directed by Alexander Hall
Screenplay by
Based on My Sister Eileen
1940 play
by Joseph A. Fields
Jerome Chodorov
Produced by Max Gordon
Starring
Cinematography Joseph Walker
Edited by Viola Lawrence
Music bySidney Cutner
Production
company
Columbia Pictures
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • September 24, 1942 (1942-09-24)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2.2 million (US rentals) [1]

My Sister Eileen is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and starring Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne and Janet Blair. The screenplay by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov is based on their 1940 play of the same title, which was inspired by a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in The New Yorker . The supporting cast features George Tobias, Allyn Joslyn, Grant Mitchell, Gordon Jones and, in a cameo appearance at the end, The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard).

Contents

Plot

Ruth Sherwood, a reporter for the Columbus Courier, finds herself embroiled in a series of misfortunes after inadvertently publishing a premature and erroneous review of her sister Eileen's theatrical performance. This blunder results in Ruth's dismissal from her position. Encouraged by their grandmother, the two sisters, Ruth and Eileen, decide to relocate to New York City, armed with meager financial resources provided by their father.

Upon their arrival in Greenwich Village, the sisters encounter a plethora of challenges, including disruptive construction work, rowdy neighbors, and encounters with law enforcement. Despite these initial setbacks, Ruth endeavors to secure employment while Eileen navigates the world of theater. Their humble abode becomes a hub of activity as an eclectic assortment of characters, including neighbors, acquaintances, and unexpected visitors, converge on their doorstep.

As Ruth and Eileen navigate the complexities of city life, they find themselves embroiled in a whirlwind of events, including romantic entanglements, professional aspirations, and familial discord. Amidst the chaos, Ruth's talent for storytelling is recognized, leading to a fortuitous opportunity for publication. The sisters' journey culminates in a celebration of newfound success and independence, marked by unexpected twists and the enduring camaraderie of newfound friends.

As they leave the apartment to celebrate, a trio of construction workers (The Three Stooges) drill through the floor from the new subway tunnel below. The film ends with Curly saying, "Hey, Moe. I think you made a wrong turn!"

Cast

Critical reception

Bosley Crowther of The New York Times called the film "largely a farcical juggling act in which the authors . . . keep their characters spinning more through speed than grace. Some of it is forced almost to snapping; some of it drags heavily on the screen. And Alexander Hall, the director, did little with his camera in that small room. But Rosalind Russell plays the smart sister with a delightfully dour and cynical air, and Janet Blair is disarmingly naive as the pretty, desirable one . . . My Sister Eileen is gay and bouncing." [2]

In his review of the DVD release of the film, Steve Daly of Entertainment Weekly graded it B+, calling it "a screwball spleenfest, pitching gag after fastball gag." He added, "While the tone is farcical, there's an edge to the movie's depiction of single-gal city life." [3]

Awards and nominations

Rosalind Russell was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress [4] but lost to Greer Garson in Mrs. Miniver .

Adaptations in other media

Aherne, Russell, and Blair reprised their parts on the Lux Radio Theater adaptation of My Sister Eileen on July 5, 1943, and again on The Screen Guild Theater adaptation on October 18, 1943.

On May 18, 1946, My Sister Eileen was again adapted as a radio play on Academy Award Theater , in recognition of Russell's Oscar nomination. Russell and Blair reprised their parts.

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References

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