Professor Horatio Smith, while seeming very unassuming, rescues victims of Nazi persecution during World War II.Professor Horatio Smith, while seeming very unassuming, rescues victims of Nazi persecution during World War II.Professor Horatio Smith, while seeming very unassuming, rescues victims of Nazi persecution during World War II.
- Awards
- 1 win
- General von Graum
- (as Francis Sullivan)
- Clarence Elstead
- (as Lawrence Kitchen)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOne of the earliest movies to openly and unflinchingly discuss Nazi labor, concentration, and death camps.
- GoofsAt the reception in the English embassy, Professor Smith misquotes Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky. He mispronounces "borogoves" in the third line of the poem as "borogroves".
- Quotes
General von Graum: But we have one problem. "To be or not to be?" as our great German poet said.
Professor Horatio Smith: German? But that's Shakespeare.
Professor Horatio Smith: But you don't know?
Professor Horatio Smith: Why, I know it's Shakespeare. I thought Shakespeare was English.
General von Graum: No, no, no. Shakespeare is a German. Professor Schuessbacher has proved it once and for all.
Professor Horatio Smith: Oh dear, how very upsetting. Still, you must admit that the English translations are most remarkable.
General von Graum: Good night.
Professor Horatio Smith: Good night. Good night. "Parting is such sweet sorrow."
General von Graum: What is that?
Professor Horatio Smith: One of the most famous lines in German literature.
- Crazy creditsImmediately following the opening credits: "The tale we are about to unfold to you is a fantasy. None of its characters are living persons. But it is based on the exploits of a number of courageous men who were and are still risking their lives daily to aid those unfortunate people of many nationalities who are being persecuted and exterminated by the Nazis. To these champions of freedom this story is dedicated."
- Alternate versionsThis film was cut and retitled 'Mister V' for its first American release in the early 1940s. Some versions censor the response from Hugh McDermott's character "I'd do my damndest..." in response to a question posed by Leslie Howard's character at a table in a café.
If you do look at other comments, a few points: This film is *funny* too! It was not Leslie Howard's last film - 49th Parallel was made later the same year, and First of the Few in 1942, then he subsequently directed 'The Gentle Sex' and 'The Lamp still Burns' in 1943.
Howard was certainly on the Nazi's blacklist, but his death may have been an accident. He was returning from a 'lecture tour' (which was certainly propaganda and may well have had intelligence connotations) via Portugal, and the civilian plane he was on was shot down over the bay of Biscay. It's still not clear if this was an accident or a deliberate target, but if the latter, it's as likely that Howard's accountant, who bore a strong resemblance to Churchill, may have been the target.
Also, look out Violette Cunningham, the assistant in the cosmetic shop. She was Howard's last love - despite still being married to Ruth, he fell for Violette (who also appears in the German dinner scene in 'The First of the Few'). It broke his heart when she died, of cerebral meningitis, in 1942.
- Pimpernel_Smith
- Sep 29, 2006
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Mister V
- Filming locations
- D&P Studios, Denham, Uxbridge, Buckinghamshire, England, UK(as D & P Studios Denham . . . England)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1