This Was Paris (1942)

Director:

John Harlow

Writers:

Edward Dryhurst, Gordon Wellesley (story),

Stars:

Ann Dvorak, Ben Lyon, Griffith Jones

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ann Dvorak	...	Ann Morgan
Ben Lyon	...	Butch, Sydney Chronicle Reporter
Griffith Jones	...	Capt. Bill Hamilton, MI5
Robert Morley	...	Van Der Stuyl
Harold Huth	...	Count Raul De La Vague
Mary Maguire	...	Blossom Leroy - Butch's Girlfriend
Vera Bogetti	...	Mme. Florien
Harry Welchman	...	Forsyth, MI5
Frederick Burtwell	...	J.B. Entwhisle, Butch's Editor
Marian Spencer	...	Lady Muriel
Billy Holland	...	Liftman (Hauptman Viner)
Miles Malleson	...	Watson, Newspaper Librarian
Bernard Miles	...	Nazi Propaganda Officer
Hay Petrie	...	Popinard, Amusement Park Owner
Harry McElhone	...	Harry the bartender

Storyline

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Genres:

War | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

So This Was Paris

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers First National Studios, Teddington Studios, Teddington, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Brothers-First National Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film had its U. S. television premiere on Turner Classic Movies on 24 September 2007 during TCM's festival of films made by Warner Brothers at Teddington Studios in the UK.

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Soundtracks

"What Goes Up Must Come Down"
Written by Rube Bloom & Ted Koehler

User Reviews

good war time flick from France's point of view.

Fashion designer Ann Morgan (Ann Dvorak, looking divine as always in her dresses and hats) crashes into Bill Hamilton's car (Hamilton is played by Griffith Jones) in 'This was Paris" during WWII. Hamilton, a member of MI - 5, meets up with Butch, a reporter, in a bar. Butch is played by Ben Lyons, in one of his last films, investigating fifth columnists in France. His girlfriend "Blossom" played by Mary McGuire, turns out to be roommates with Blossom. Lots of humor and jokes coming from Butch, among the intrigue and the foreboding wartime sentiment, since the war was in full swing as this was being made. And according to IMDb, that's Elisabeth Welch singing a great number "There's a Boy in Harlem", backed up by a full orchestra, when they go to a club. In spite of the war, there is a sense of fun; after Butch comes out of the elevator, we cut to the bar crowd singing 'What goes up, must come Down". Note Robert Morley, as Van Der Stuyl, taking a swipe at Americans as he remarks how they stand out so easily when they come to Europe, which I guess was true even back then. Strong script, as we watch Hamilton and Butch try to figure out who is on which side. Dvorak, Jones and Lyons had served in the military, so they brought a touch of reality to this film, with Dvorak actually driving an ambulance in this film, just as in real life. A good way to spend 77 minutes, and a bit of French history on the side.