If someone were to ask me what I thought were the four greatest romantic films from 1942, I would say, without hesitation, CASABLANCA, RANDOM HARVEST, NOW, VOYAGER and JOAN OF Paris. The first three are acknowledged classics with large fan bases and a DVD release. Yet JOAN OF Paris is just as romantic and touching as the rest of them, and deserves to be better known and more widely seen. This little RKO gem is wonderful!
Paul Henreid, who had quite the romantic year in 1942 starring in two of the films above- the smooth, seductive, gentle and irresistible Henreid made a perfect romantic leading man), stars as Paul Lavellier, a flyer for the Free French who is holed up in Paris after his RAF squadron plane is brought down. Henreid manages to stay one step ahead of the Nazis (led by Laird Cregar, oozing villainy),thanks to the help of a determined Priest (Thomas Mitchell, playing a Frenchman-and it didn't bother me at all)and a beautiful young woman, Joan (Michele Morgan, divinely beautiful and all of 22).
It's a marvellously romantic film, with Henreid and Morgan hitting all the right notes as the lovers. Morgan in particular is amazing- her scenes where she speaks to her beloved Saint Joan are on a par with Jennifer Jones' simple, beautiful acting when she sees visions of the Virgin Mary in THE SONG OF BERNADETTE, filmed a year later. Director Stevenson and photographer Metty seem to worship Morgan's heavenly face, shown to best advantage in many close-ups. Given it's low shooting budget, this is a remarkably well-made film. The lighting and shadow-making is terrific, and the night scenes late in the picture where Morgan rushes to save her lover Henreid feel very atmospheric. Morgan's final scene (I won't spoil it to you), with the ominous shadows across her face, is breathtaking.
The supporting cast is also very note-worthy, with Mitchell giving his usual excellent performance. I've never seen Laird Cregar in a film before, and what a find! Truly a charismatic screen presence if there ever was one. Veteran May Robson does some memorable work, as does a young-looking Alan Ladd as flyer in Henreid's crew.
There is a wonderful scene two-thirds of the way into the picture, when a group of school children break out into a version of La Marseille. And it's release date pre-figures CASABLANCA by approximately a year! I wonder who was inspired by whom......
Seek this one out. It's worth it!
Paul Henreid, who had quite the romantic year in 1942 starring in two of the films above- the smooth, seductive, gentle and irresistible Henreid made a perfect romantic leading man), stars as Paul Lavellier, a flyer for the Free French who is holed up in Paris after his RAF squadron plane is brought down. Henreid manages to stay one step ahead of the Nazis (led by Laird Cregar, oozing villainy),thanks to the help of a determined Priest (Thomas Mitchell, playing a Frenchman-and it didn't bother me at all)and a beautiful young woman, Joan (Michele Morgan, divinely beautiful and all of 22).
It's a marvellously romantic film, with Henreid and Morgan hitting all the right notes as the lovers. Morgan in particular is amazing- her scenes where she speaks to her beloved Saint Joan are on a par with Jennifer Jones' simple, beautiful acting when she sees visions of the Virgin Mary in THE SONG OF BERNADETTE, filmed a year later. Director Stevenson and photographer Metty seem to worship Morgan's heavenly face, shown to best advantage in many close-ups. Given it's low shooting budget, this is a remarkably well-made film. The lighting and shadow-making is terrific, and the night scenes late in the picture where Morgan rushes to save her lover Henreid feel very atmospheric. Morgan's final scene (I won't spoil it to you), with the ominous shadows across her face, is breathtaking.
The supporting cast is also very note-worthy, with Mitchell giving his usual excellent performance. I've never seen Laird Cregar in a film before, and what a find! Truly a charismatic screen presence if there ever was one. Veteran May Robson does some memorable work, as does a young-looking Alan Ladd as flyer in Henreid's crew.
There is a wonderful scene two-thirds of the way into the picture, when a group of school children break out into a version of La Marseille. And it's release date pre-figures CASABLANCA by approximately a year! I wonder who was inspired by whom......
Seek this one out. It's worth it!