Robert Taylor is in Germany in search of his mother, Alla Nazimova. Once a prominent stage actress, she had retired to the United States while keeping her German citizen. Finally, she recently returned to Germany to sell her house and has disappeared. Finally he learns that she is in a concentration camp, about to be executed for treason. Taylor asks casual acquaintance Norma Shearer to help. She is an American-born countess who runs a girl's school and is the mistress of General Conrad Veidt.
It's based on a novel by Grace Zaring Stone published under a pseudonym. By 1940, the situation in Germany had become clear enough that Hollywood was abandoning it as a market. Even so, people were afraid; Franz Waxman's score is uncredited.
This being a movie version of a novel, some things are obviously missing. Veidt's character has gaps all the way through, indicating a lot was left out. Instead, Mervyn Leroy concentrates on his players' emotions; Taylor gives a fine performance as a terrified man, and Miss Shearer is up to her best standard, even if Felix Bressart gives one of his poorest performances.
It's based on a novel by Grace Zaring Stone published under a pseudonym. By 1940, the situation in Germany had become clear enough that Hollywood was abandoning it as a market. Even so, people were afraid; Franz Waxman's score is uncredited.
This being a movie version of a novel, some things are obviously missing. Veidt's character has gaps all the way through, indicating a lot was left out. Instead, Mervyn Leroy concentrates on his players' emotions; Taylor gives a fine performance as a terrified man, and Miss Shearer is up to her best standard, even if Felix Bressart gives one of his poorest performances.