Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Limerculer A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

weezeralfalfa 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.

TheLittleSongbird 'One in a Million' is interesting for being Sonja Henie's first American film and raised her to international stardom. Henie does not disappoint and is one of the top attractions, but the film on the whole does.Henie is one of the two best assets of 'One in a Million'. She is pert and charming, and the camera clearly loves her. Her ice skating is also out of this world. This is advantaged by the choreography for the ice skating sequences, which are enough to make the jaw drop by their imagination and verve.Furthermore, 'One in a Million' is lavishly shot and sumptuously designed, and while not timeless and none of them are standards the songs are pleasant enough, the best of them being "Who's Afraid of Love".Don Ameche is a very likable leading man, and his chemistry with Henie charming. Arline Judge brings snappy line delivery to 'One in a Million's' best lines, while Jean Hersholt is a gently low-key father figure and Ned Sparks is amusingly acerbic.However, the story is wafer thin and lacks energy, with much of the comedy floundering Judge and Sparks aside, while the script is even thinner and even duller. Adolphe Menjou, apart from a few nice moments with Judge, wildly overacts, shouting his way through his lines broadly.There is too much of the Ritz Brothers, and their slapstick is bizarre and irritatingly childish at times. Also could have done without Borrah Minevitch and his Harmonica Rascals, legendary as musicians but comedy, which is tedious and grating, is not even close to being a forte.In conclusion, a mixed bag of a film with great things and poor things. 5/10 Bethany Cox

David (Handlinghandel) This is a truly unappealing movie. The humor is as broad as a barn. The Ritz Brothers? Well, apparently they have their fans. Count me as not one (on just this one viewing.) I had never seen Sonja Henie before tonight. Her skating is certainly good but kind of dull to watch. I guess this was her debut so no comment on her acting skills. Now, about that Olympic Games she is preparing for .... Didn't someone named Leni do a whole movie about those games? A very good movie but extremely controversial Games? Adolph Menjou could never carry a movie. He was a reliably capable performer. The same goes for Don Ameche, whose best is "Midnight." Arline Judge is amusing here. But is that a reason to sit through an hour and a half of pratfalls, corny jokes, and clichés?

Kalaman "One in a Million" is a cheery, lighthearted mix of comedy, romance, songs and ice skating dances, directed by Sidney Lanfield ("Sing, Baby, Sing"). It is an admirable vehicle and showcase for the Norwegian Olympic skating champion Sonja Henie in her American debut. The film derives some aspects from Sonja's career. Sonja plays an amateur Swiss skater who is discovered by an American theatrical troupe leader (Adolphe Menjou) and almost spoils her by putting in a professional show until a charismatic reporter (Don Ameche) rescues her and convinces her into making the right decision, leading to her spectacular performance at Madison Square Garden."One in a Million" is not one of the better Fox musicals, but there are enjoyably fine moments, including some very funny comic acts by the Ritz Brothers, especially toward the end, and one memorable musical number "Who's Afraid Of Love", sung by Ameche. Good stuff.