Sara and Kurt Muller and their three children are returning to her mother's home in Washington DC after 18 years in Europe. A Romanian Count living there discovers Kurt's attache case full of money. He also finds out from friends at the German Embassy that Kurt is working with an anti-Nazi underground group in Germany. He tries to blackmail Kurt. Kurt shoots him and must flee. When Sara hears no more of Kurt, she knows that her oldest son Joshua will soon leave to work in the underground.
Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
The play, "Watch on the Rhine" by Lillian Hellman premiered at the Martin Beck Theater in New York City on 1 April 1941 and closed on 21 February 1942 after 378 performances. Paul Lukas as Kurt Muller, Lucile Watson as Fanny Farrelly, George Coulouris as Teck de Brancovis, Eric Roberts as Bodo Muller and Frank L. Wilson as Joseph all originated their movie roles in the play. Also in the cast were Mady Christians as Sara Muller and Helen Trenholme as Marthe de Brancovis.
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Goofs
Continuity:
During the breakfast scene between Beulah Bondi and Lucile Watson, Watson's hair keeps changing between medium and close shots (from behind): It is much flatter in the scenes shot close.
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Quotes
Bodo:
[Addressing Anise and discussing her French accent]
Yes your accent is from the North, that is fine country. We were in hiding there once. See more »
"America, My Country 'Tis of Thee"
(1832) (uncredited) Music attributed to Henry Carey ("God Save the King!") (1744) Played often in the score
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