Blackout (1940)
"Contraband" (original title)

Early in World War II, Danish sea captain Andersen, delayed in a British port, tangles with German spies.

Director:

Michael Powell

Writers:

Emeric Pressburger (original story & screenplay), Michael Powell (scenario),

Stars:

Conrad Veidt, Valerie Hobson, Hay Petrie

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Conrad Veidt	...	Capt. Andersen
Valerie Hobson	...	Mrs.Sorensen
Hay Petrie	...	Axel Skold / Erik Skold
Joss Ambler	...	Lt. Cmdr. Ashton, RNR
Raymond Lovell	...	Van Dyne
Esmond Knight	...	Mr.Pidgeon
Charles Victor	...	Hendrick
Phoebe Kershaw	...	Miss Lang
Harold Warrender	...	Lt. Cmdr. Ellis, RN
John Longden	...	Passport Officer
Eric Maturin	...	Passport Officer
Paddy Browne	...	Singer in 'Regency'
Henry Wolston	...	First Danish Waiter
Julian Vedey	...	Second Danish Waiter
Sydney Moncton	...	Third Danish Waiter

Storyline

This is the tale of life in a British port in the first year of World War II. Spies and smugglers abound in the blackout and unreal shore life of the "phoney war" (before the shooting started).

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Plot Keywords:

spy | danish | german | blackout | sea captain | 

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Taglines:

Stop that man and woman! His mission is deadlier than that of the enemy in the sky. Her beauty is a dangerous weapon of war!

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Genres:

Adventure | Romance

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Danish

Release Date:

29 November 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blackout

Filming Locations:

Chester Square, Belgravia, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£47,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British National Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film that Deborah Kerr worked on. She played a cigarette girl in one of the nightclubs visited. But although she impressed everyone, her scene ended up on the cutting room floor.

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Quotes

Lt. Cmdr. Ashton, RNR: We've seized your cargo. It's contraband.

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Crazy Credits

"White Negro" caberet designed & executed by Hedley Briggs.

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Connections

References Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler - Ein Bild der Zeit (1922)

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Soundtracks

"Danish Song"
(uncredited)
Written by John Greenwood

User Reviews

Marvelous light-hearted spy adventure

The plot is well paced and fun, although a bit convoluted. But, Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson are the hidden pleasures in this film. She's beautiful and witty. He's tall (very), handsome, and debonaire. Together they're very sexy: their relationship here is reminiscent of that of William Powell and Myrna Loy in the Thin Man and Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint in North-By-Northwest. The scene in which they break the bonds in which the villains have tied them is wonderfully erotic. Above all, Contraband demonstrates how film makers (outside of Powell and Pressberger) missed the boat in not taking advantage of Veidt's sophisticated persona, understated acting skills, and comedic flair.