'Til We Meet Again (1940)

Dying Joan Ames meets criminal Dan Hardesty on a luxury liner as he is being transported back to America by policeman Steve Burke to face execution. Joan and Dan fall in love, their fates unbeknownst to one another.

Director:

Edmund Goulding

Writers:

Warren Duff (screen play), Robert Lord (from an original story by)

Stars:

Merle Oberon, George Brent, Pat O'Brien

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Merle Oberon	...	Joan Ames
George Brent	...	Dan Hardesty
Pat O'Brien	...	Steve Burke
Geraldine Fitzgerald	...	Bonny Coburn
Binnie Barnes	...	Comtesse de Bresac
Frank McHugh	...	Rockingham T. Rockingham
Eric Blore	...	Sir Harold Pinchard
Henry O'Neill	...	Dr. Cameron
George Reeves	...	Jimmy Coburn
Frank Wilcox	...	Ass't. Purser
Doris Lloyd	...	Louise
Marjorie Gateson	...	Mrs. Hester
Regis Toomey	...	Freddy
William Halligan	...	Bartender on Boat
Victor Kilian	...	Herb McGillis

Storyline

Dying Joan Ames meets criminal Dan Hardesty on a luxury liner as he is being transported back to America by policeman Steve Burke to face execution. Joan and Dan fall in love, their fates unbeknownst to one another.

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Plot Keywords:

backgammon | ship captain | self sacrifice | secret | reporter | 

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Taglines:

FOUR WEEKS IN WHICH TO LIVE - an eternity in which to die. One of the grandest screen treats.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

20 April 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

We Shall Meet Again

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film's earliest documented telecast took place in Tucson Friday 5 October 1956 on KDWI (Channel 9); it first aired in Albuquerque Tuesday 30 October 1956 on KOAT (Channel 7), in Bloomington IN Saturday 3 November 1956 on WTTV (Channel 4), in Los Angeles Friday 9 November 1956 on KNXT (Channel 2), in Boston Saturday 22 December 1956 on WBZ (Channel 4), in San Francisco Tuesday 25 December 1956 on KPIX (Channel 5), in Cincinnati Saturday 9 February 1957 on WKRC (Channel 12), in Portland OR Sunday 10 March 1957 on KOIN (Channel 6), and in Chicago Monday 11 March 1957 on WGN (Channel 9).

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Goofs

This movie appears to be set in 1940 which is when it was released. Pat O'Brien remarks that George Brent is being taken back to San Quinton to be hanged for murder. California switched from hanging to the gas chamber in 1938 and had already used it. That is something what would have been widely known in California when this movie was made.

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Connections

Referenced in Vida/Perra (1982)

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Soundtracks

On San Francisco Bay
(1906) (uncredited)
Music by Gertrude Hoffman
Played on the piano when Dan is being arrested

User Reviews

Unexpectedly compelling, extremely satisfying romance/drama

Excellent and very enjoyable, 'Til We Meet Again is about an escaped prisoner and an ill woman who fall in love on a cruise ship. This movie had me figuratively grabbing for the tissues. But I won't discuss the plot so as not to spoil anything. Suffice it to say, the movie starts sweetly, and quickly becomes unexpectedly compelling and enormously satisfying -- as very few movies are.

It stars Merle Oberon and George Brent, and they are both great! I could hardly believe this was the same George Brent as his sedate character in Dark Victory.

And Merle Oberon is breathtaking. So exquisitely beautiful, and charming and delicate like porcelain. Her looks and mannerisms and innocent style and charm reminded me very much of Audrey Hepburn, and I kept wondering if Hepburn could have played the role (had she been the correct age), but I concluded Oberon was definitely the right actress.

Merle's unusual, exotic dark looks, otherworldly beauty, and rare talent and magnetism prompted me to look up more about her, and I found out she was born in India and was half Indian! Her mother was Indian. That explains her unique look and air, which sets her apart from all other Hollywood stars.

This film, like Now Voyager and Ship of Fools, and all the greatest classic love stories, has a beautiful musical love theme that carries you through the movie, whenever the two lead characters are together. 'Til We Meet Again's love theme is exquisite.

This movie is a well-made, very classy film that's enjoyable, captivating, moving, and extremely fulfilling. The characters are engaging and unforgettable, emotionally identifiable and heartfelt. I certainly recommend 'Til We Meet Again, especially if you love romances, or especially if you love classic films/dramas that are unusual and exquisite.