by Hal Erickson
synopsis
As appealing as ever in 1946, Deanna Durbin was admittedly getting a bit long in tooth for her ingenue-like role in Because of Him. Durbin is cast as Kim Walker, an aspiring actress determined to become the protegee of famed Broadway actor/producer Sheridan (Charles Laughton). The only person not charmed by Kim's herculean efforts to achieve stardom is playwright Paul Taylor (Franchot Tone), who balks when ordered to write a play for her. But even Taylor is won over by fadeout time, leaving Sheridan, who'd also had designs on Kim, in the lurch. Evidently intended as a "straight" comedy, Because of Him was turned into a musical at the last minute, with a handful of pleasant but irrelevant songs wedged into the proceedings.
characteristics
keywords
playwright
protegé
Broadway
fame
actor

