"One Touch of Venus" was originally a play, then a 1948 movie and now, in this case, a made for TV movie. I am not sure, but assume it was performed live--like other teleplays of the era. Most of these early TV productions no longer exist, as the networks often taped over the old shows...so we are fortunate we have this one.
The story finds the nebbish, Rodney (Russell Nype) slipping a ring he'd bought for his girlfriend on a statue of Venus...and the statue magically comes to live. Inexplicably, this ancient goddess is instantly in love with super-nerdy Rodney but he's not at all pleased. Soon, however, he gets in a fight with his girlfriend and he announces he's through with women. So, it's up to Venus to uses her charms to make him succomb.
I don't know if it's because the cast had weak voices or just that television didn't show off this talent very well. And, because there was a lot of singing, this one suffered more than other teleplays like "Days of Wine and Roses" or "12 Angry Men". And, because there were so many songs, I felt as if the entire production suffered. Enjoyable, yes...but not among the finer moments in the history of teleplays.
By the way, I was very shocked when at one point Venus cursed...something unthinkable in 50s TV. I wonder how she got away with it...or did they?
The story finds the nebbish, Rodney (Russell Nype) slipping a ring he'd bought for his girlfriend on a statue of Venus...and the statue magically comes to live. Inexplicably, this ancient goddess is instantly in love with super-nerdy Rodney but he's not at all pleased. Soon, however, he gets in a fight with his girlfriend and he announces he's through with women. So, it's up to Venus to uses her charms to make him succomb.
I don't know if it's because the cast had weak voices or just that television didn't show off this talent very well. And, because there was a lot of singing, this one suffered more than other teleplays like "Days of Wine and Roses" or "12 Angry Men". And, because there were so many songs, I felt as if the entire production suffered. Enjoyable, yes...but not among the finer moments in the history of teleplays.
By the way, I was very shocked when at one point Venus cursed...something unthinkable in 50s TV. I wonder how she got away with it...or did they?