What's the only feature film in Hollywood history ever to be narrated by an Academy Award? You guessed it - Susan Slept Here. After introducing itself, the handsome statuette invites us into the apartment of its owner, screenwriter Mark Christopher (Dick Powell). Knowing that Powell is working on a script about juvenile delinquency, a couple of policemen on the night beat deposit teenaged troublemaker Susan Landis (Debbie) on Powell's doorstep - just as he's about to go out on the town. Somewhat terrified by Debbie's erratic behavior after having tried an escape from the two cops, Powell vows to keep their relationship platonic as the kid spends Christmas week in his bachelor pad, but his beautiful fiancée Anne Francis comes to suspect the worst. It soon becomes apparent that Susan is more fun than the stuffy fiancée and its easy to see why Dick Powell falls in love. Though their age difference initially poses a problem - Susan at 17, Mark at 35 - they fall happily in love - after a bevy of misunderstandings and bumps along the way. Susan Slept Here was Dick Powell's last starring feature film after more than two decades of stardom - he continued his career behind the scenes from this film on. During production, Powell at age 50 was a full 28 years older than his leading lady Reynolds, who clocked in at 22 - the same age as 'the older woman' - Anne Francis. Though the age gap is glaringly obvious and somewhat troublesome, the charm and talent of these great stars shines through and makes Susan a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
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