Hold Back the Dawn (1941)Stopped in Mexico by U.S. Immigration, Georges Iscovescu hopes to get into the country by marrying a citizen. Director:Mitchell Leisen |
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Title: Hold Back the Dawn (1941)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Charles Boyer | ... | ||
| Olivia de Havilland | ... | ||
| Paulette Goddard | ... | ||
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Victor Francen | ... | |
| Walter Abel | ... | ||
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Curt Bois | ... | |
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Rosemary DeCamp | ... | |
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Eric Feldary | ... | |
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Nestor Paiva | ... |
Fred Flores
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Eva Puig | ... |
Lupita
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Micheline Cheirel | ... |
Christine
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Madeleine Lebeau | ... |
Anni
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Billy Lee | ... |
Tony
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Mikhail Rasumny | ... |
Mechanic
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Charles Arnt | ... |
Mr. John MacAdams
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
A Romanian gigolo marries a naive American schoolteacher in Mexico so he can legally enter the United States. Complications arise as he discovers he is falling in love with her. Written by Ray Hamel <hamel@primate.wisc.edu>
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
26 September 1941 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Golden Door See more »Filming Locations:
Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center - 1200 N. State Street, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (copyright length)Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Color:
Black and White
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Anita Dixon: Thanks! You just stand right in the middle of Times Square ... and whistle!
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(1792) (uncredited)
Music by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
Played by the band during the celebration near the end
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Did You Know?
Trivia
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on November 10, 1941 with Charles Boyer and Paulette Goddard reprising their film roles. See more »Quotes
Georges Iscovescu: [having just let Anita know that he prefers the company of Emmy] You've got enough money to get you back to New York. I'll find you there when I'm ready.Anita Dixon: Thanks! You just stand right in the middle of Times Square ... and whistle!
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Soundtracks
"La Marseillaise"(1792) (uncredited)
Music by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
Played by the band during the celebration near the end
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Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland and Paulette Goddard deserve high praise for their performances in this poignant and touching slice of Americana from Mitchell Leisen (who later directed de Havilland in 'To Each His Own'). Basically the story of a European gigolo (Boyer) who wants to get into the United States without a long wait in Mexico. His girlfriend and ex-dancing partner (Paulette Goddard) convinces him to marry an unsuspecting American schoolteacher (de Havilland)in order to gain fast entry before ditching her. Colorful supporting characters come to life--most notably Walter Abel as an immigration officer and Rosemary de Camp as a pregnant woman who wants her child born in the U.S. Boyer narrates the story to a film director (Mitchell Leisen) and we see the story unfold in flashback from his point of view. Excellent work by all concerned. My only complaint is the abrupt ending--which I understand was a result of trouble with Boyer who wanted certain scenes rewritten--a final scene between him and de Havilland would have been preferable to what seems like a letdown for the finale. As it is, it looks like choppy editing before "The End" flashes on the screen. Still, a romantic drama with an abundant amount of dry humor and some crackling dialogue by Paulette Goddard who sparkles in her role as "the other woman". Her confrontation scene with the schoolteacher is one of the highlights of the film. De Havilland was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for this, but lost to her sister, Joan Fontaine, for 'Suspicion'.