Dangerously They Live (1941)

Director:

Robert Florey

Writer:

Marion Parsonnet (original screenplay)

Release Date:

24 December 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller | War

Tagline:

SUSPENSE That Makes Every Whisper On The Screen Echo Like Thunder!

Plot:

Dr. Michael Lewis treats Jane, a mysterious woman claiming to be a British secret agent on the run from German spies...

Plot Keywords:

Secret | Spy | Escape | Submarine | Gardener

Cast

John Garfield	...	Dr. Michael 'Mike' Lewis
Nancy Coleman	...	Jane Graystone
Raymond Massey	...	Dr. Ingersoll
Lee Patrick	...	Head Nurse Johnson
Moroni Olsen	...	Mr. John Goodwin
Esther Dale	...	Dawson, Goodwin's Housekeeper
John Ridgely	...	John, Nazi Henchman
Christian Rub	...	Mr. Steiner
Frank Reicher	...	Jarvis, Goodwin's Butler
Ben Welden	...	Eddie, Nazi Henchman
Cliff Clark	...	Sheriff John Dill
Roland Drew	...	Dr. Murdock
Arthur Aylesworth	...	Gate Keeper
John Harmon	...	George, Taxi Driver
Matthew Boulton	...	Captain Hunter (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

77 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #7842)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Several performers in studio records and casting call lists were not seen in the movie. These were, with their character names, Glen Cavender (Tobacconist), Adolph Milar (Storekeeper) and Spec O'Donnell (Usher). 'Matthew Boulton' is credited onscreen as "Capt. Hunter", but he was also not seen.

Goofs:

Continuity: Gavin Muir is credited onscreen as "Capt. Strong", but he is called "Hunter" and "Captain Hunter". 'Matthew Boulton' is credited onscreen as "Capt. Hunter" but was not in the print.

Soundtrack:

Sweet Georgia Brown

Amnesia: A certain cure

A somewhat awkward spy mystery with a predictable plot about World War Two dangers. The mystery is whether or not Jane Graystone (Nancy Coleman) has amnesia. The best acting is done by Raymond Massey as Dr. Ingersoll, a good doctor turned evil. He is head of a spy ring attempting to get information from amnesiac Jane, coded information related to allied activities. Will she tell? Can she remember? Moroni Olson (as Mr. Goodwin) is convincing as an accomplice to Massey. The role played by John Garfield (as Dr. Lewis) is nothing short of disastrous. He seems so badly miscast that the casting has to be ranked as one of the worst in film history. It is unfortunate that so talented an actor is stuffed into a role which not befitting his talents. The movie is worth one look, despite being a half spy and half gangster film, and despite containing a parade of stereotyped characters. It's easy to forget this one, amnesia is not necessary.