The Foreman Went to France (1942)

Based on the true story of Melbourne Johns, an aircraft factory foreman sent to France to prevent the Nazis getting hold of some vital equipment.

Director:

Charles Frend

Writers:

Leslie Arliss, John Dighton,

Stars:

Tommy Trinder, Constance Cummings, Clifford Evans

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tommy Trinder	...	Tommy Hoskins, 19th Fusillers
Constance Cummings	...	Anne Stafford, the American girl
Clifford Evans	...	Fred Carrick, the foreman
Robert Morley	...	Mayor Coutare of Bivary
Gordon Jackson	...	Alastair 'Jock' MacFarlan, 19th Fusillers
Ernest Milton	...	Stationmaster in La Tour
Charles Victor	...	Aircraft Spotter on Works Roof
John Williams	...	'English' Army Captain
Paul Bonifas	...	Prefect of Rouville
Anita Palacine	...	La Tour Barmaid
Francis L. Sullivan	...	French Skipper (as François Sully)
Mervyn Johns	...	Official, Passport Office
Owen Reynolds	...	Collins, Burns & Fawcett Works Manager
Ronald Adam	...	Sir Charles Fawcett Managing Director

Storyline

Based on the true story of Melbourne Johns, an aircraft factory foreman sent to France to prevent the Nazis getting hold of some vital equipment.

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Plot Keywords:

nazi | world war two | air raid | nun | british army | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

22 June 1942 (UK)

Also Known As:

Somewhere in France

Filming Locations:

Ashdown House, Swindon, Wiltshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The feature debut of Gordon Jackson.

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Crazy Credits

Introductory Title - Based on the experiences of Melbourne Johns, to whom the film is dedicated.

User Reviews

A useful reminder of "Operation Ariel"

It has been a decade or more since I last saw this film. In 1942 it must have been very close to British audience. Nowadays most people still are aware of the evacuation from Dunkirk (Operation Dynamo) but the evacuation from Normandy and other points along the coast (Operation Ariel) is far less well known even although nearly as many British troops were brought home by Ariel as by Dynamo. The film did not dwell too much on the grim conditions (the audience wanted a bit of escapism after all) but conveyed the notion that no-one knows when they will be called on to "do their bit" for victory and hopefully rise to the occasion.

By the time of the release of the film the Battle of Midway had been won, the Germans had 57 tanks in North Africa and Generals January and February had taken their toll of the Germans in the Eastern Front. Although the Battle of the Atlantic had yet to be won the audience had grounds for optimism. The film had to have been made before it was clear that the tide had turned so it was quite remarkable that it should have hit just the right note.