“This time I know our side will win”

January 10, 2017 | Posted by Peter Jakobsen | Classic Film, FILM | 3 Comments |

Paul Henreid (10 January 1908 to 29 March 1992)

Henreid crept through Hollywood in a long career, but he stands tall in two divine Hollywood soapies made during World War II.

After declining to sign the Nazi loyalty oath and skipping his native Austria, he became becalmed (like Victor Lazlo) till he obtained papers as an émigré to America.

He repaid them with interest in two films: Casablanca, where his rousing of the orchestra in Rick’s Café to play the Marseillaise in defiance of gathered Nazi and Vichy officers was one of the greatest propaganda tools in film history, and Now, Voyager, where he figuratively took the baton from Charles Boyer in his romantic gesture of lighting Bette Davis’ cigarette.

rope-of-sand-movie-poster-1949-1010510123

“I don’t like the way you got it.”

 

 

 

He wasn’t a bad villain when required, either. Whilst a ‘B’ effort, and B-minus at that, we relish his nasty Commandant Vogel in Rope of Sand (1949), showing co-star (and terrible actress) Corinne Calvert his purloined Sèvres vase and donning his dark blue blazer when he wants to ‘question’ someone in his torture chamber.

PHMars

“Play it!”

3 Comments

  1. Reply

    T. O.

    January 13, 2017

    Very good summary of someone who a lot of people wouldn't know but should. Would your readers know who Victor Lazio was (is) without explanation? Another interesting character in Casablanca is a gentleman by the name of John Qualen who plays Berger a Norwegian member of the French underground (the only good thing the French have ever done) During his long career 1931-1974 he played in over 150 movie and television roles including some memorable movies such as The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Sons of Katie Elder, The Grapes of Wrath, North to Alaska, The Searchers, His Girl Friday, and The Fugitive. He died in a place called Torrance in California in 1987 aged 87 cheers

  2. Reply

    Sam Smart

    January 14, 2017

    Is that the same Torrance that is the home of Fatboy Slim's Torrance Community Dance Group. ("Praise"). Best music video EVAH

    • Reply

      Lesley Jakobsen

      January 16, 2017

      We believe that it is one and the same - the city that bills itself as the one 'with a hometown feel.'


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