The Pied Piper (1942)

While traveling in France during the Nazi invasion of 1940, an Englishman is entrusted with the care of a group of refugee children.

Director:

Irving Pichel

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson, Nevil Shute (novel)

Stars:

Monty Woolley, Roddy McDowall, Anne Baxter

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Monty Woolley	...	John Sidney Howard
Roddy McDowall	...	Ronnie Cavanaugh
Anne Baxter	...	Nicole Rougeron
Otto Preminger	...	Major Diessen
J. Carrol Naish	...	Aristide Rougeron
Lester Matthews	...	Mr. Cavanaugh
Jill Esmond	...	Mrs. Cavanaugh
Ferike Boros	...	Madame
Peggy Ann Garner	...	Sheila Cavanaugh
Merrill Rodin	...	Willem
Maurice Tauzin	...	Pierre
Fleurette Zama	...	Rose
William Edmunds	...	Frenchman
Marcel Dalio	...	Focquet
Marcelle Corday	...	Madame Bonne

Storyline

Englishman Mr Howard is on a fishing holiday in eastern France when the Germans invade in 1940. Setting off to try and get back home he is persuaded to take along the two Cavanaugh children, and as his journey progresses his family keeps growing in size. Once in German-occupied northern France a new problem arises - the risk of being heard speaking English.

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Plot Keywords:

patriotism | 1940s | year 1940 | occupied france | nazi invasion | 

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Taglines:

He Raced Hitler's Panzers to the English Channel . . . and Won !

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Nevil Shute's original novel was a huge bestseller at the time of its release, as the world grew to accept that it was at war again.

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

Howard: I have two small children!
Railroad official: At your age, monsieur, that is undoubtedly magnificent!

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Connections

Referenced in Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker (1991)

User Reviews

Pleasant Escape

Although not action packed this movie moves along at a good pace with plenty of twist and turns and a good deal of wit. When Howard, played by Monty Woolley, is fishing on his holiday in Eastern France he wants nothing more than peace and quiet. When the Germans invade during World War II, he escapes with two and finally a hodge podge of children, and peace and quiet are the last thing he will get. They must trek to saftey and outwit the Germans. Woolley is perfect as the gruff elderly man than seems likely to have been a strict disciplinarian. The kids will melt anyones heart including his. This movie is a classic and it is hard to believe it isn't even available on VHS let alone DVD.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Abandonados

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1