I had missed this film on television a couple of times, I am a big fan of the leading actor, and it was rated well, so I looked forward to it, directed by Jean Negulesco (How to Marry a Millionaire, Three Coins in the Fountain). Basically, millionaire Jervis Pendleton III (Fred Astaire) is on a trip to France. When his car gets stuck in the mud, he happens upon a French orphanage and asks to use the telephone. Whilst there, he watches a class of children, led by cheerful eighteen-year-old orphan Julie Andre (Leslie Caron), he is enchanted by her. When he returns to America, Jervis tells his assistant Griggs (Fred Clark) that he wants to adopt Julie and bring her to America for the best education and opportunity he can afford. The children find out about this, and witness a man in the shadows the assume is the mystery benefactor, although it is actually Griggs, they give him (or rather Jervis) the nickname Daddy Longlegs, because of his long legs in the shadow. Once in America, Julie is taken to a college in New England, and the mystery benefactor, Jervis, has also given her a new wardrobe, which she and her roommates are delighted about. Over time, Julie writes about her experiences in a series of regular letters, she hopes to one day meet "Daddy Longlegs". However, after three years, she is saddened that her benefactor has not made the effort to reply to her letters. Jervis's secretary, Alicia Pritchard (Thelma Ritter), reads the most recent letter for herself, she and Griggs tell Jervis that he need to make more of an effort. Jervis admittedly forgot all about Julie, so he starts to read the letters, and daydreams her ideas of what her benefactor, he, may do for a living. Alicia and Griggs also suggest that Jervis makes more of an effort with his niece, Linda (Terry Moore). So, he attends the dance at her college, which happens to be the same college that Julie is attending. Most of the students are under the impression that Jervis is a professor, as he happens to be the spitting image of his ancestor who opened the college, so he goes along with this ruse. Jervis gets the opportunity to meet Julie but does not reveal his true identity to her. They start to spend more time together, and despite their age difference, they cannot help but fall in love with each other. Julie still wonders about who Daddy Longlegs is and has her own daydream about him. Jervis wants to reveal his identity to Julie, but he questions what her reaction will be after his deception. In the end, Julie happens to be at Jervis's mansion, while a tour guide is showing a crowd around. Julie mentions her mystery benefactor to Jervis, subtlety he gives her hints that he is the man she is wanting to meet. Julie realises Jervis is the man who gave her all the opportunities she has been given, fate has brought them together and they happily embrace. Also starring Charlotte Austin as Sally McBride, Larry Keating as Ambassador Alexander Williamson, Kathryn Givney as Gertrude Pendleton, Kelly Brown as Jimmy McBride and Ray Anthony and his Orchestra. Astaire as usual is really likeable and a skilled dancer, Caron is charming and beautiful, and there is terrific support from Clark and Ritter. You could argue that the plot is a bit thin, and the age gap thing is questionable, but it a good-natured tale, the dance sequences are well-choreographed, the costumes are colourful, and the dream sequences are certainly the most memorable, all in all an enjoyable classic romantic musical comedy. Very good!
Review of Daddy Long Legs
