One Touch of Venus (1948)

n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

This is, arguably, the worst of the major Ava Gardner films. Yes, she is gorgeous. But that can wear thin over time, especially after the corny and predictable movie ending.In this turkey, Robert Walker has to pretend that he's Eddie Bracken (which surely embarrassed him). Olga San Juan plays the Jane Powell (golly, gee) part. Dick Haymes plays a sort of dim sidekick (!), and Eve Arden plays Helen Broderick (and a host of other wise-cracking female semi-comedians). Yes, the film contains a major popular song, "Speak Low." But check out the other, entirely forgettable, pieces. Dick Haymes sings very well, of course, and so does the uncredited vocalist dubbing for Ava.The sets are cheap, the script is filled with clichés and failed humor, and Tom Conway looks as though he has been battling with liquor (as indeed he was). In short, if you want to see Ava in her prime, buy a photo and stay well clear of this movie.

One Touch of Venus has one thing going for it--the extraordinary beauty of Ava Gardner in her prime. Other than that, an interesting idea is mostly wasted. The premise is this: if a mortal kisses the statue of Venus, the goddess will come to life as a lovely, sensuous, real woman. Robert Walker is good in a comic turn as a confused mortal who accidentally awakens the statue. Needless to say, other comic complications ensue. However, Ava's voice is obviously dubbed, which thereby destroys some of the delicate fantasy quality of the material. Overall, this would have been better handled by Albert Lewin, a unique director famed for his odd, moderately successful dreamlike films (Saadia, the Picture of Dorian Gray, the Moon and Sixpence). A diverting but ultimately uninspiring film, which required a lighter directorial touch.

I had never seen this film in its entirety before today, I had only caught the end of it as a child, about 25 years ago. But even having only seen it fleetingly back then, it made an impression and I always wanted to see it from start to finish. Watching this film is quite a bit like falling in love! The 79 minutes seemed to pass so quickly, I was so enraptured by the audio and visuals! The stunningly beautiful Ava Gardner plays Venus to perfection, she's positively delicious to watch as she playfully taunts the shy but sweet Robert Walker, as well as his boss Tom Conway.The casting is perfect - the three stars mentioned above deliver spot-on performances, and also the parts of the girlfriend Olga San Juan and the boss' assistant Eve Arden are superbly played.My favorite scene is when the three girls get together while they are doing Ava Gardner's hair - it reminded me a little of the slumber party scene in Grease (interesting coincidence that Eve Arden is in that movie too - made 30 years later!).I got this movie on a Region 0 DVD from Spain and the picture and sound quality is about 8 out of ten, so if your player can cope with PAL DVDs, it's definitely worth getting as it is remastered from the original film source. But I hope they give this film the full restoration treatment it deserves one day!I highly recommend this film and give it 10 out of 10 as it's a truly delightful way to spend 79 minutes of your time, and I know I'll be watching it over and over again!

why oh why is this VHS not a remastered DVD yet. this was such wonderful feel good movie, acting and music--just a pleasant way to spend 82 minutes. I remember watching this movie with my mom when I was young. This was also the first VHS I ever bought--had to order it from a video rental store--paid $79.00 back in the early 80's.As time went on (and videos became less expensive) I purchased several copies of this film and gave the first to my mom who actually cried as she too remembers that it was always our favorite movie. The others I gave as gifts to several of my girlfriends. A few remembered it and some were too young but once they viewed it quickly made it a favorite.