The first of a series of musical romances over the next decade that centered around the ice skating or skiing of Norway's Sonja Henie. Most of these films included at least one charismatic supporting talent, in addition to a leading man to become her paramour. Here, we have the up and coming leading man Don Ameche as her new beau. He exuded easy charm, looks, and a good singing voice. Former big band singer Leah Ray was the lead female singer in several songs......Adolphe Menjou, as Ted Spencer, was the ever present owner and promoter of a traveling girl's band, traveling in Switzerland, which soon added comedic talent in the form of the Ritz Brothers, and Borrah Minevitch, with his harmonica rascals. Lastly, Adolphe added Sonja and other ice skaters to his shows.......The first part of the film is relatively tame, introducing the various characters. At first, Adolphe fails to grasp the importance of Sonja winning the 1936 Olympic skiing gold metal(Never mind that, in reality, she had already won that honor in the previous 2 Olympics!). Adolphe wants her to join his program immediately, until his wife, Billie(Arline Judge) points out the long term benefit of having a lead skater who can claim to be an Olympic champion. Unfortunately, her participation in an exposition sponsored by Adolphe seemed to jeopardize her status as an amateur, even though she personally didn't receive any money or other perks. This issue would again crop up after she had apparently won the title. The authorities went back and forth as to whether this disqualified her, until it was decided this didn't mark her as a professional skater........The three Ritz brothers put on 2 appearances on ice. In the first, they are dressed up as Charles Laughton(playing Cpt. Bligh), Boris Karloff(playing Frankenstein's monster), and Peter Lorre, respectively. They clown around, singing some wacky songs. Later, during the post-Olympic show, 2 don a bull partial costume, and the third is dressed as a matador. They then have a wacky bull fight on ice skates........Before Sonja skates for the title, Leah Ray sings the best song in the movie: "Who's Afraid of Love". Ameche then follows with his rendition, which is clearly directed at blushing Sonja. Then, Minevitch and his harmonica rascals comically play a variety of songs, which may be too long for you. Previously, Minevitch, alone, had played his harmonica on several occasions......After winning the title, Sonja tells Adolphe she wants to compete in the 1940 Olympics, instead of joining his troupe. But, he says, if that's the case, he will bring up her participation in his exposition, which may disqualify her for the present Olympics, as well as the ones in 1940. She toes the line, and joins his show in Madison Square Garden. ...... The film was a hit with contemporary audiences. But, today, Olympic skaters can do some more difficult tricks, and we see it in color. But, if you want to see the lady who started the modern age of show ice skating, check out one or two of her films. Although seldom shown on TV, nearly all her films are currently available on expensive DVDs. A few, including this one, are also available free, at YouTube. I prefer Sun Valley Serenade, which has the big advantage of including Glenn Miller's orchestra, in a rare film appearance. However, it more features her skiing than ice skating. That film is currently available at YouTube.

This talkative Sonja Henie musical comedy is saddled with a cornball script by Leonard Praskins and Mark Kelly. In addition to its so-so comedy routines, it also features a number of musical numbers directed by Jack Haskell. Other credits are likewise inviting, but don't actually amount to anything much, even though Sidney Lanfield was the director and Raymond Griffith, the producer. Alas, for some unknown reason, this movie is well below their best work. In fact, it could justly be described as a completely undistinguished programmer, that manages to end up as a really terrible waste of a talented support cast led by Adolphe Menjou, Arline Judge, Don Ameche, Ned Sparks, Dixie Dunbar and Montagu Love.

It would be well to remember Sonia Henie as the prototype ice performer in her day. It would also be well to remember the times this film was made. Certainly it is devoid of all of the special effects and layers of pictorial events contained in todays films (which, by the way, are entirely unrealistic to us who are knowledgeable.) Of course the script follows mid 1930s writing and I did not find any of the actors giving less than other of their performances of the times. Given that this was Sonia's first film, her acting must be given some forgiveness there, though I did not see what others apparently viewed as less than optimal. As to the "other 1936 Olympics film," it was merely a propaganda documentary and therefore not a comparison by any means.As to Sonia's universal appeal, she went on to make many such films, and was known as a very smart businesswoman who went on to build great riches from investments and was the benefactor of many philanthropic ventures which was virtually unknown among actors of that era. On the strength of her appeal alone, I would rate her among the great women actresses of the time. I would recommend this film to any families who want wholesome "G" rated entertainment shown to their children.

A pretty ice skating Swiss Miss has a ONE IN A MILLION chance to become a road show star, but she will jeopardize her chances for competing in the 1936 Winter Olympics. Will a young American reporter help woo her into making the right decision?Sonja Henie was Norway's ice queen when she won Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 & 1936. Quickly going professional, she began a celebrated movie career at 20th Century Fox in 1936. ONE IN A MILLION was her American film debut. Beautiful & talented, as well as being a natural in front of the cameras, she carved out her niche during Hollywood's Golden Age. Although Henie's ice routines may look antiquated by comparison to modern champions, there was nothing antique about her dazzling smile or sparkling personality. Some of today's snowflake princesses could still learn a great deal from her.The Studio surrounded 24-year old Miss Henie with an experienced supporting cast: Jean Hersholt as her gentle father; Adolphe Menjou as a penniless, brash road show impresario & Arline Judge as his plain spoken wife; Don Ameche as the American reporter who falls for Henie; acerbic Ned Sparks as a cantankerous photographer; and Montague Love as a mysterious stranger. Fans of the Ritz Brothers will appreciate their routines; Russian Borrah Minevitch and His Harmonica Gang are zany enough to almost make you forget how talented they were.Ultimately, though, this is Sonja's show. She glides into the viewer's heart, while balancing on a thin edge of steel over frozen water.