Address Unknown (1944)

US art dealer returns to his native Germany for a visit and is attracted by Nazi propaganda.

Director:

William Cameron Menzies

Writers:

Herbert Dalmas (screenplay), Kressmann Taylor (based on a book by)

Stars:

Paul Lukas, Carl Esmond, Mady Christians

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Lukas	...	Martin Schulz
Carl Esmond	...	Baron von Friesche
Peter van Eyck	...	Heinrich Schulz
Mady Christians	...	Elsa Schulz
Morris Carnovsky	...	Max Eisenstein
K.T. Stevens	...	Griselle Eisenstein aka Griselle Stone
Emory Parnell	...	Postman
Mary Young	...	Mrs. Delaney
Frank Faylen	...	Jimmie Blake
Charles Halton	...	Censorial Pipsqueak
Erwin Kalser	...	Stage Director
Frank Reicher	...	Professor Schmidt
Dale Cornell	...	Carl Schulz
Peter Newmeyer	...	Wilhelm Schulz
Larry Olsen	...	Youngest Schulz Boy (as Larry Joe Olsen)

Storyline

US art dealer returns to his native Germany for a visit and is attracted by Nazi propaganda.

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Plot Keywords:

germany | nazi germany | police state | policeman | 1930s | 

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Taglines:

To the millions who were shocked when they read it! This picture if the fulfillment of your every expectation! (original prints ads)

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 June 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Agnostos diefthynsis

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the opening scene Paul Lukas's character Martin Schulz are toasting to San Francisco as he is leaving soon, one can see they are standing in front of a picture that cuts off and does not go all the way to the top of the screen

User Reviews

Well crafted but unfortunately forgotten WWII film

This little film received Academy Award nominations for art direction and score, and I have to wonder how it escaped a nomination for cinematography as well, because this story does not have a great deal of action in it. Instead, much is said through the vivid score and the masterful cinematography that renders the shadows that the Nazis cast often more menacing that the Nazis themselves.

Not commercially available as far as I know, this is a film that deserves rediscovery. The story opens on a celebration between two friends and partners in San Francisco. Martin Schulz (Paul Lukas) is returning to his home country of Germany along with his wife and four of his five sons. His partner, Max Eisenstein (Morris Carnovsky), will meanwhile keep their art gallery going in San Francisco along with Martin's son, Heinrich. Max's daughter, Griselle, is also going to Germany to seek out a career as an actress. Heinrich and Griselle are in love, but have decided to delay marriage so that Griselle can pursue her career.

Once in Germany, Martin gets swept up into the building Nazi movement when he is befriended and flattered by the silver-tongued Baron von Friesche, who eventually convinces him that he should cut off all communication with his old friend Max because he is Jewish. When the Nazis come after Max's daughter Griselle when they learn she is Jewish, Martin stands by and does nothing to help her, allowing his old friend's daughter to perish at their hands and on his doorstep. However, a society such as the Nazi's that is built on purity of opinion and constant suspicion can sometimes be cleverly manipulated to be an instrument of revenge. Thus, by means of a very simple plan executed by someone in the U.S., Martin soon finds himself isolated and under suspicion of espionage - a prisoner in his own home as well of his own imagination of what will come next.

I highly recommend this film as it is still relevant today, especially from a psychological standpoint of how totalitarian movements start out by preying on the desperation of the many and the self-importance of a few.