'Til We Meet Again (1940)

Director:

Edmund Goulding

Writers:

Robert Lord (story)
Warren Duff (writer)

Release Date:

20 April 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

FOUR WEEKS IN WHICH TO LIVE - an eternity in which to die. One of the grandest screen treats.

Plot:

Dying Joan Ames meets criminal Dan Hardesty on a luxury liner as he is being transported back to America by policeman Steve Burke to face execution. Joan and Dan fall in love, their fates unbeknownst to one another. |

Plot Keywords:

Con Artist | Incurable Disease | New Year's Eve | Remake | Ship

Cast

Merle Oberon	...	Joan Ames
George Brent	...	Dan Hardesty
Pat O'Brien	...	Police Lt. Steve Burke
Geraldine Fitzgerald	...	Bonny Coburn
Binnie Barnes	...	Comtesse de Bresac
Frank McHugh	...	Rockingham T. Rockingham
Eric Blore	...	Sir Harold Pinchard
Henry O'Neill	...	Dr. Cameron
George Reeves	...	Jimmy Coburn
Frank Wilcox	...	Frank, Assistant Purser
Doris Lloyd	...	Louise
Marjorie Gateson	...	Mrs. Hester
Regis Toomey	...	Freddy
William Halligan	...	Bartender on Boat
Victor Kilian	...	Herb McGillis

Also Known As:

Till We Meet Again (USA) (alternative spelling)
We Shall Meet Again (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Illness caused director Edmund Goulding to be replaced for much of the film. Anatole Litvak shot approximately 26% of the film, William Keighley 4%, and 'Howard, William K. (I)' shot a few retakes. Goulding shot 70% of the picture around bouts of pneumonia.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The doctor states that Joan Ames has angina pectoris and that nothing can be done for her. In fact, nitroglycerine had been used for the treatment of angina since the 1870s.

Movie Connections:

Remade as El valor de vivir (1954)

Soundtrack:

It Had to Be You

Unexpectedly compelling, extremely satisfying romance/drama

Excellent and very enjoyable, 'Til We Meet Again is about an escaped prisoner and an ill woman who fall in love on a cruise ship. This movie had me figuratively grabbing for the tissues. But I won't discuss the plot so as not to spoil anything. Suffice it to say, the movie starts sweetly, and quickly becomes unexpectedly compelling and enormously satisfying -- as very few movies are.

It stars Merle Oberon and George Brent, and they are both great! I could hardly believe this was the same George Brent as his sedate character in Dark Victory.

And Merle Oberon is breathtaking. So exquisitely beautiful, and charming and delicate like porcelain. Her looks and mannerisms and innocent style and charm reminded me very much of Audrey Hepburn, and I kept wondering if Hepburn could have played the role (had she been the correct age), but I concluded Oberon was definitely the right actress.

Merle's unusual, exotic dark looks, otherworldly beauty, and rare talent and magnetism prompted me to look up more about her, and I found out she was born in India and was half Indian! Her mother was Indian. That explains her unique look and air, which sets her apart from all other Hollywood stars.

This film, like Now Voyager and Ship of Fools, and all the greatest classic love stories, has a beautiful musical love theme that carries you through the movie, whenever the two lead characters are together. 'Til We Meet Again's love theme is exquisite.

This movie is a well-made, very classy film that's enjoyable, captivating, moving, and extremely fulfilling. The characters are engaging and unforgettable, emotionally identifiable and heartfelt. I certainly recommend 'Til We Meet Again, especially if you love romances, or especially if you love classic films/dramas that are unusual and exquisite.