Suicide Squadron (1941)
"Dangerous Moonlight" (original title)

During World War II, an American newswoman falls for a refugee Polish piano virtuoso...who wants to go back and fight.

Director:

Brian Desmond Hurst

Writer:

Terence Young (original story and screenplay)

Stars:

Anton Walbrook, Sally Gray, Derrick De Marney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anton Walbrook	...	Stefan 'Steve' Radetzky
Sally Gray	...	Carol Peters Radetzky
Derrick De Marney	...	Mike Carroll
Cecil Parker	...	Specialist
Percy Parsons	...	Bill Peters
Kenneth Kent	...	Andre De Guise (as Keneth Kent)
J.H. Roberts	...	Residing Physician (as J.H.Roberts)
Guy Middleton	...	Shorty
John Laurie	...	British Commander
Frederick Valk	...	Polish Bomber Commander
O.B. Clarence	...	Waiter with tray of wine
James Pirrie	...	(as James Perrie)
Marian Spencer	...	Miss Gratton (as Marion Spencer)
Leslie Gordon	...	(as Lesley Gordon)
Philip Friend	...	Pete

Storyline

Prologue: in 1940, a shellshocked man fights to recall his past. Flashback: During the Nazi invasion of Poland, American reporter Carole Peters meets Polish airman Stefan Radetzky, also a piano virtuoso. Stefan is among the last to escape Warsaw; months later, in New York, he and Carole meet again, and marry. But the thought of his going back to fight is not only personally terrifying to Carole, but seems a great waste of his musical talent...

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | flashback | musician | symphony orchestra | kansas city | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Suicide Squadron

Filming Locations:

D&P Studios, Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anton Walbrook had aspirations as a classical pianist in real life so his hands are shown playing the piano. However, the piano part as heard was recorded by an uncredited Louis Kentner.

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Goofs

In a cockpit close-up, during the final air battle, the "Poland" flash on Stefan's uniform is back-to-front, as in a mirror image. This indicates that the original left-to-right shot was "flipped" so that it coincided with the other right-to-left shots that are used in the complete battle sequence.

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Connections

Featured in Shepperton Babylon (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Polonaise in A major Op. 40 No. 1"
Written by Frédéric Chopin
Played on an xylophone on radio to indicate Poland is still inconquered
Played as background music as airplanes leave Warsaw
Played on piano by Anton Walbrook (dubbed by Louis Kentner)
Reprised on piano by Anton Walbrook (dubbed by Louis Kentner) as the encore at his New York concert

User Reviews

Flashback of Polish war pilot,starting and ending with struggle to recall concerto.

Opens in UK hospital with Walbrook as war-injured Polish officer agonising over recall of composition:flashback to meeting with N.Y. news correspondent (who quickly supplants US with UK accent) Sally Gray(actress's name) as he ruminates over concerto composition.Further recall to selection by Air pilots' squad to come to US to garner funds for Poland in 1940.Wrenching decision to return East and and as RAF pilot runs out of ammunition and wilfully crashes into German bomber,bringing us back to original scene in hospital room. Conflicts developed very nicely:between hero and other pilots;between hero and close friend over the heroine;between hero and wife about return to UK;and within himself over his future mission:to stay fundraising in US or join RAF.Goes without saying about excellent haunting" Warsaw Concerto" excellently played,very moody amd evocative. When this film came out in '41 the Concerto was criticised as a copy of Grieg's p.concerto in A mi., or Tchaikowski's 2nd in C. All the same it is worth several viewings.