One Exciting Night (1944 film)
{{For|the silent film of the same name|One Exciting Night (1922 film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = One Exciting Night
| image = "One_Exciting_night"_(1944).jpg
| caption = Song sheet movie tie-in
| director = Walter Forde
| producer = Ben Henry
| writer = Peter Fraser
Howard Irving Young
| story = Peter Fraser
| narrator =
| starring = Vera Lynn
Donald Stewart
Frederick Leister
| music = Harry Bidgood
| cinematography = Otto Heller
| editing = Terence Fisher
| studio = Columbia Productions
| distributor = Columbia Pictures
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1944|12|04|United Kingdom|1945|07|26|United States}}
| country = United Kingdom
| runtime = 89 minutes
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
One Exciting Night (also known as You Can't Do Without Love) is a 1944 British musical comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Vera Lynn, Donald Stewart and Mary Clare.{{Cite web |title=One Exciting Night |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150037393 |access-date=11 March 2025 |website=British Film Institute Collections Search}}{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/45015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114094435/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/45015 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-01-14 |title=BFI | Film & TV Database | ONE EXCITING NIGHT (1944) |publisher=Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk |date=2009-04-16 |access-date=2014-04-08}} The screenplay was by Peter Fraser and Howard Irving Young and concerns a female singer who becomes involved with a man who is the victim of a kidnap plot.
Plot
Vera Baker is an aspiring singer desperate for an opportunity to impress producer Michael Thorne. Her chance arrives at a benefit concert that is also the scene of an attempted kidnapping of Thorne by gangsters chasing a priceless Rembrandt. Vera somehow eventually thwarts the villains, and along the way manages to wow the audience with her singing.
Cast
- Vera Lynn as Vera Baker
- Donald Stewart as Michael Thorne
- Mary Clare as Mrs. Trout
- Frederick Leister as Hampton
- Phyllis Stanley as Lucille
- Cyril Smith as Joe
- Richard Murdoch as illusionist
- Mavis Villiers as Mabel
- Peggy Anne as Bessie
- Jeanette Redgrave as Ellen
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The film gives Vera Lynn many opportunities for singing, which she does better than acting. There are a few thrills and plenty of fun, and admirers of Richard Murdoch will delight in seeing him as a loquacious illusionist. Although an 'A' film it is eminently suited for family entertainment."{{Cite journal |date=1 January 1944 |title=One Exciting Night |volume=11 |issue=121 |pages=100 |id={{ProQuest|1305807686}} |magazine=The Monthly Film Bulletin}}
Kine Weekly wrote: "The plot is neither tidy nor original, but on the other hand it leaves nothing out. Furthermore, its hectic medley of slapstick, song, cabaret and thick ear, culminating with a spectacular 'safety last' finale, throws into effective and showmanlike relief the engaging versatility of the 'Forces Favourite.' In other words, it's good Vera Lynn."{{Cite journal |date=3 August 1944 |title=One Exciting Night |volume=330 |issue=1946 |pages=21 |id={{ProQuest|2732595018}} |magazine=Kine Weekly}}
Leslie Halliwell wrote "Very ho-hum stuff for a very popular but histrionically untried star."{{Cite book |last=Halliwell |first=Leslie |title=Halliwell's Film Guide |publisher=Paladin |year=1989 |isbn=0586088946 |edition=7th |location=London |pages=757}}
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Not unpleasant mixture of thrills, songs and fun."{{Cite book |last=Quinlan |first=David |title=British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 |publisher=B.T. Batsford Ltd. |year=1984 |isbn=0-7134-1874-5 |location=London |pages=237}}
TV Guide called the film a "decent musical farce."{{cite web |title=You Can't Do Without Love Review |url=http://movies.tvguide.com/you-cant-do-without-love/review/110071 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409021515/https://movies.tvguide.com/you-cant-do-without-love/review/110071 |archive-date=9 April 2014 |access-date=2014-04-08 |publisher=Movies.tvguide.com}}