That's basically what has happened to the 1943 Broadway musical in its transformation from stage to screen. It has lost its sophistication, innocence, wit and most of its score, turning into a "B" movie ready for the late late show long before the late late show even existed. Like Universal also did with Sigmund Romberg's "Up in Central Park", they have removed not only the physical color, but the emotional color as well. The fault lies with the studio, who had on loan from MGM the perfect star (Ava Gardner) to play the Roman Goddess of love coming to life when department store clerk Robert Walker kisses her in a moment of impetuous madness. With Rita Hayworth just having played the Greek Goddess Terpsicore in Columbia's "Down to Earth" just the year before in glorious Technicolor, it is as mystifying as the subject matter why Universal (who had done some pretty good color adventures with Maria Montez and Sabu) would do this movie in black and white, as much as I love black and white. Unless she is doing a film noir, Ava Gardner screams for Technicolor! Only a handful of Kurt Weill's songs have made it onto the screen, most notably "Speak Low" and "That's Him", so this ends up being a truncated version of the Broadway show. There are still some good moments, particularly with Eve Arden, playing the wise-cracking but goodhearted secretary (what else?) to playboy department store owner (Tom Conway), and supporting player Dick Haymes getting to sing since obviously squeaky voiced Robert Walker can't. The lovable Sara Allgood has a nice cameo as Walker's strict landlady who just adores bubble baths, and perennial cop James Flavin has some good moments as the detective whom Gardner makes act like an owl. WHO???? Ava Gardner is beautiful, of course, whether she's in black and white or color, but she's at her best in roles that require a lot of "heat", and here she's more of a kitten. Remember the haunting image of her at the end of "Show Boat"? Imagine her in Venus's wardrobe in Technicolor. Notice, I'm not talking colorized (as this has been, BADLY). Robert Walker, who would go on to more lechery than his naiveté here once Hitchcock got ahold of him, is likable, but Olga San Juan plays a stereotypically nagging fiancée. Like they did with the same year's "Mexican Hayride" (by adding Abbott & Costello), I saw this as just another formula comedy with music rather than the artistic triumph it could have been.

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.

Enjoyed viewing this B&W film from the late 40's with Robert Walker, (Eddie Hatch),"Strangers On a Train",'51, who played a window dresser in a department store and kissed a statue of Venus which was owned by his boss Tom Conway, the store owner and after than one Kiss, Eddie Hatch had his hands Full. Ava Gardner,(Venus & Venus Jones),"Mogambo",'53 did a great acting performance and looked very beautiful as Venus, she even sang a few songs through out the picture. Dick Haymes, (Joe Grant),"State Fair",'45 was a big singing and acting star during the 30's, 40's and late 50's and gave a nice supporting role. Eva Arden,(Molly Stewart),"Falcon Crest",'87 TV Series, played a secretary to Tom Conway and had plenty of funny comments which got quite a few laughs. This was a great look back in the past and if you like old timers, this is the one for YOU.

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!