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source: Reunion in France

Trailer—Reunion in France

Reunion in France

This should not be taken seriously.Michele de LA Becque 's(sic)adventures in a chocolate box occupied France can net only horselaugh! A propaganda movie,and what is worse ,like Renoir's "This land is mine" -Renoir who had left France at the beginning of the war-a BAD propaganda movie.Who could believe Crawford a French would be Joan of Ark?These Nazis full of bonhomie and stupidity? John Wayne as a British pilot? Or worse as an American student(at 35!)?The final twist ,you could see it from a mile off.Even the streets of Paris, in the studios, are ugly and the man who sells nice Nazi souvenirs on these streets is ludicrous.But,as far stupidity is concerned, the singer who sings " I'll be glad when you die and Adolf too" ,wins hands down. If you take that to learn something about French Resistance ,be prepared for a F minus for your History test. During the McCarthyism ,Dassin came to real France where he made an estimable film "Du Rififi Chez les Hommes"

I saw the film because of the director, Jules Dassin. Dassin has made much better films in later years. I thought there was quite a lot of resemblance in Joan Crawford's performance if compared to that of Dassin's wife Melina Mercourri in the later works of the director, especially "Dream of Passion." Did he like to make the leading ladies passionate, tender and honest? I will know if I will get to see all his films. I thought Philip Dorn or Fritz van Donitz had an impressive screen presence and totally overshadowed John Wayne. I also liked John Carradine, but neither Carradine could sound like a German nor Crawford a Frenchwoman. The greatest flaw in the film was pronunciations of the characters. Yet the film was credible--thanks to the director. It was good to spot Ava Gardner in an unbilled role. Even with all its flaws, the film was good to watch just once.

Considered to be a dud at the time of its release (1942), the film plays much better today. Joan Crawford is very attractive in the role (but unconvincing as a Frenchwoman.) John Wayne received top billing, but his part is actually rather small. Pure propaganda, it never stops entertaining because of its interesting script.

I was enjoying this movie very much until John Wayne arrived on the scene. Suddenly, after his arrival the movie breaks down and becomes a mess of clichés and silliness. The first half dealing with France being occupied, and how it impacted the lives of the French was quite interesting. The Nazi's of course were portrayed as inept, bumbling idiots. One can't help but notice that in this movie, Joan has perfected her definitive "Joan Crawford" look. The hair, the look, the clothes all come together here. Too bad the movie couldn't stay on track, but I guess Joan did need at least two lovers per movie. The chemistry between Joan and John works, but John looks like he'd rather be lassoing wild horses than capturing Nazi's!

Interesting film with Joan Crawford caught up in occupied France during World War 11. A young dashing John Wayne is terribly miscast as a flier in this film. Phil Dorn, who was memorable 6 years later in "I Remember Mama," plays Crawford's love interest here. The two of them spend the film deceiving the Nazis. Albert Basserman plays an entirely too sympathetic Nazi official in the film. He must have thought that he was still starring in his Oscar nominated 1940 supporting performance in "Foreign Correspondent." Of course, Ms. Crawford goes from clothes-horse to extreme patriot and remains in the arms of Dorn, both despised by the occupants for their supposedly pro-Nazi ways. How they fooled the public. Vive la France!

Crawford is excellent as a rich French bitch who discovers her patriotism and a slightly softer side to her character when Hitler invades France. John Wayne is the American flyer she gets involved with. The movie is "Reunion in France", a very early Jules Dassin, and it's a good one even if it does fall short of classic status. The plot involves Crawford's suspicions that her fiancée Philip Dorn is a Nazi collaborator, while at the same time helping Wayne escape from the Gestapo and Dassin rings a good deal of suspense from it. The first-rate supporting cast includes John Carradine, Albert Basserman, Henry Daniel, Reginald Owen and in a small and uncredited part of a salesgirl, an up-and-coming starlet called Ava Gardener.