There are several levels to this film. Email. One crew member called it "the biggest casting problem since The Good Earth (1937)". Hooky, enraged, goes to the train station to inspect them for subversive activities, where he witnesses the poor conditions the displaced persons are in. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Check out our gallery of the 2021 Oscar nominees in the leading and supporting acting categories, as the characters they so brilliantly played and in real life. 4.4 out of 5 stars 24 ratings. **Please be aware that this is a manufactured on demand disc that was created using a DVD-R disc. Shortly after the end of World War II, British Colonel Michael S. "Hooky" Nicobar (Walter Pidgeon) is assigned to a unit in the British Zone of Vienna. Director George Sidney. On Christmas Eve, after the Mother Superior asks for his forgiveness for not treating him in a Christian manner, Hooky tells her that he lost his faith after the death of his son in combat. Format: DVD. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA. The Red Danube - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia The story focuses on one of the fugitives, who relies on own courage and compassion of people to avoid the seventh cross. The next day, in response to his brief, Hooky is ordered to fly to Rome as a representative to a United Nations conference to end forcible repatriation, and helps Mother Superior join him to see the Pope on the same issue. "The Red Danube" is a strong 1949 film about post-war Europe, starring Walter Pidgeon, Peter Lawford, Angela Lansbury, Janet Leigh, and Ethel Barrymore. The well-remembered setting and the evocative location photography almost makes one hear the strains of Anton Karas’s zither in the background. Of course, The Red Danube can only suffer by comparison with that other Cold War espionage thriller from 1949 set in occupied Vienna, Carol Reed’s adaptation of Graham Greene’s The Third Man. The Red Danube is a 1949 American drama film directed by George Sidney and starring Walter Pidgeon. She wishes that she could relive 1946 and avoid the mistakes that she made throughout the year. [3] The film was shelved, however, and the original director Victor Saville was eventually replaced by George Sidney. Janet Leigh and Peter Lawford star as lovers trapped on either side of the newly fallen Iron Curtain, a man and a woman stranded on opposite sides of the Red Danube. View production, box office, & company info. Twingo and Maria start going out, until Soviet Colonel Piniev (Louis Calhern) reports to Hooky, announcing he is searching for a Russian ballerina named Olga Alexandrova, aka Maria Buhlen. 22 of 25 people found this review helpful. Her wish comes true but cheating fate proves more difficult than she anticipated. The Mother Superior, who accompanied him, notices Maria among the people in the train. "The Red Danube" is a strong 1949 film about post-war Europe, starring Walter Pidgeon, Peter Lawford, Angela Lansbury, Janet Leigh, and Ethel Barrymore. At this convent, Twingo is drawn to a ballerina calling herself Maria Buhlen (Janet Leigh). An Irish maid falls for the son of her wealthy boss, though their disapproving fathers and a bitter strike at the steel mill complicates matters. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Certificate: Passed Agnes Moorehead briefly replaced Barrymore in March 1949.[5]. [8] According to studio records, it earned $1,177,000 in the US and Canada and $682,000 overseas, resulting in a loss of $905,000. When Piniev's aide tells Hooky that Bruloff's suicide was proof of "subversive activity and treasonable behavior," he starts to doubt the sincerity of the Soviets. Film, Video YOUNG BESS motion picture | Feature film (over 60 minutes). Cast & Crew. The Red Danube Walter Pidgeon (Actor), Ethel Barrymore (Actor), George Sidney (Director) & Rated: NR. He and his aides are billeted at a convent, led by the friendly Mother Superior (Ethel Barrymore). The crew admitted they were looking for real war refugees but found that most of them were already looking too healthy. USA, 1949. A mild-mannered school teacher in a Nazi-occupied town during WWII finds himself torn between collaboration and resistance. Nicobar's sense of duty is tested as he sees first hand the plight of the people he is helping return to the Soviet Union; his lack of religious faith is also shaken by his contact with the Mother Superior. Although it is unclear at the beginning, the main characters are the Colonel played by Walter Pidgeon and the Reverend Mother played by Ethel Barrymore. The Red Danube is a 1949 American drama film directed by George Sidney and starring Walter Pidgeon. On October 14, 1948, it was announced Audrey Totter was slated to co-star as Audrey Quail. Share on WhatsApp. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Art Direction (Cedric Gibbons, Hans Peters, Edwin B. Willis, and Hugh Hunt). What they don't know is, that she's writing a postgraduate thesis on sexual fantasies of urban men. Running time: 119 min. The Red Danube (1949) Full Cast & Crew. Showing all 2 items Jump to: Summaries (2) Summaries. George Sidney, et al. [3] Furthermore, the three principal actors withdrew and were replaced by Walter Pidgeon, Ethel Barrymore and Peter Lawford. See the full list of The Red Danube cast and crew including actors, directors, producers and more. Realizing her fate, she jumps out of a window and succumbs to her injuries. One is the agreement among the Allies to repatriate people to their native countries after the war. Hooky learns that Maria escaped from the Soviets and uses the technicality of her being on the train to bring her to safety and reunion with Twingo. The Red Danube, DVD, Full Frame, Remastered, Manufactured on Demand, Mono Sound, Drama-Classics, 883316451823 The HUAC hearings involving the "Hollywood Ten" had shaken the town to its core, and in response to the scrutiny the film industry began to turn out several outwardly anti-Soviet movies. Post World War II Vienna. Shortly after the end of World War II, British Colonel Michael 'Hooky' Nicobar is assigned to a unit in the British Zone of Vienna. Romance 1949 1 hr 59 min. He and Twingo continue their repatriation duties and they announce to the Soviet Professor Serge Bruloff (Konstantin Shayne) that he is about to be deported; Bruloff reacts by shooting himself. The film was based on the 1947 novel Vespers in Vienna by Bruce Marshall. Synopsis. The film was based on the 1947 novel Vespers in Vienna by Bruce Marshall. A Ukrainian village must suddenly contend with the Nazi invasion of June 1941. His duty is to aid the Soviet authorities to repatriate citizens of the Soviet Union, many of whom prefer not to return to their home country. So, although there's no denying that The Third Man is the better movie overall, I would highly recommend The Red Danube due to its high production values, the collection of wonderful actors in its ensemble cast, and a very engaging, philosophical script. [7], Although MGM assigned an all-star cast to The Red Danube, including a big budget, the film was a commercial failure. Written by That The Red Danube was nominated for best art direction speaks, as well, to the technical beauty of this black & white film. Was this review helpful to you? The Red Danube Walter Pidgeon Ethel Barrymore Peter Lawford (1949) A British colonel (Walter Pidgeon) must surrender a refugee Russian ballerina loved by … - Order by Phone 1-800-336-4627 The Red Danube is a 1949 American drama film directed by George Sidney and starring Walter Pidgeon. Meanwhile, Twingo and Maria plan on moving to Scotland, when she is suddenly captured by Hooky's replacement, the pompous and rigid Colonel Omicron, who intends to turn her in to Piniev. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Janet Leigh and Peter Lawford star as lovers trapped on either side of the newly fallen Iron Curtain, a man and a woman stranded on opposite sides of The Red Danube. However, to me, it seems to be more about anti-totalitarianism of all stripes, rather than merely anti-Communism. Directed by (1) Writing credits (4) Cast (45) Produced by (1) Music by (1) Cinematography by (1) Film Editing by (1) Art Direction by (2) Set Decoration by (1) Costume Design by (1) Makeup Department (2) Art Department (1) Special Effects by (1) The Red Danube is a 1949 American drama film directed by George Sidney and starring Walter Pidgeon. Starring Walter Pidgeon, Ethel Barrymore, Peter Lawford. Share on Linkedin. The Red Danube. Billeted in the convent run by Mother Auxilia (Ethel Barrymore), Nicobar, and his military aides Major John "Twingo" McPhimister (Peter Lawford) and Audrey Quail (Dame Angela Lansbury), become involved in the plight of young ballerina Olga Alexandrova (Janet Leigh), who is trying to avoid being returned to Moscow. There are several levels to this film. This film reminded me of The Third Man, in its location, art direction, and storyline. I truly enjoyed this film. [3] In January 1947, it was announced Irene Dunne, Spencer Tracy and Robert Taylor were set to star. Catlock informs Hooky that the Soviets have sent into the British zone without authority a trainload of refugees. | Genre: Drama, Cold War. I do believe this movie showed the evils of the Soviet system, which to me, is fine. Sure, it was intent on demonstrating that there's a big difference between red and red, white blue, but it also attempted to explore, however slightly, the role that Allied acquiescence played in the post-War repatriation of … The HUAC hearings involving the "Hollywood Ten" had shaken the town to its core, and in response to the scrutiny the film industry began to turn out several outwardly anti-Soviet movies. List Price: $12.99: Price: $10.91 FREE Shipping Get free shipping Free 5-8 day shipping within the U.S. when you order $25.00 of eligible items sold or … On New Year's Eve 1946, Sheila Page kills her husband Barney. (1949). THE RED DANUBE" Share. The career of a Nazi officer shown as flashbacks from his trial as a war criminal. His duty is to aid the Soviet authorities to repatriate citizens of the Soviet Union, many of whom prefer not to return to their home country. The Red Danube M-G-M’s The Red Danube (1949) was one of several anti-communist films produced by Hollywood in the aftermath of World War II: other notable releases included Conspirator, I Married a Communist (aka The Woman on Pier 13) and The Red Menace. Use the HTML below. The Red Danube - DVD-R (1949) for $11.10 from OLDIES.com Drama Lovers are trapped on either side of the newly fallen Iron Curtain. After he witnesses Maria and Helena being forcibly deported to a harsh detainment camp, Hooky sends a brief to the War Office in London protesting the forcible repatriation of political dissidents. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. [4] In October 1947, some of the background footage was shot on location in Rome and Vienna. Catlock (Robert Coote) in monitoring possible "subversive activities" against the Allied nations and repatriating Soviet citizens living in the British zone of Vienna. The close friendship of three German soldiers is strengthened by their shared love for the same woman, who is dying of tuberculosis. He falls for her instantly and tries to meet her, but she is reluctant to, until they are officially introduced to each other by Mother Superior. 1 Cast 1.1 Singing cast 1.2 Non-singing cast 2 Plot 3 Musical numbers Walter Pidgeon - Col. Michael S. "Hooky" Nicobar Ethel Barrymore - The Mother Superior Peter Lawford - … WP. This FAQ is empty. Nicobar's sense of duty is tested as he sees first hand the plight of the people he is helping return to the Soviet Union; his lack of religious faith is also shaken by his contact with the Mother Superior. At the end of WW2, aboard a repatriation ship, an Army doctor reminisces about his war years while being interviewed by a reporter. Post World War II Vienna. His duty is to aid the Soviet authorities to repatriate citizens of the Soviet Union, many of whom prefer not to return to their home country. (which, when you think about it, may not be such a profound question; although the further question of "What can be done about it?" Nazis put up seven crosses for demonstrative executions. Editorial Reviews. The Red Danube also features Angela Lansbury as a proud military woman who stands her ground against sexist male colleagues. The Red Danube (1949) Plot. The film was based on the 1947 novel Vespers in Vienna by Bruce Marshall. The themes of individual responsibility in an evil world, and the problem of faith in God, are handled sensitively and well. Take a look ahead at some of our most anticipated superhero series arriving in 2021 and beyond. Trailers. Although this film is inferior to The Third Man overall, in terms of its acting, atmosphere, and skill of the director, it is still worthy of viewing. The Red Danube Related. Walter Pidgeon Whereas The Third Man focuses on the moral dilemma of dealing with the evil in one individual (in a corrupt society), this film deals more generally with the morality of living in a corrupt society. Assigned to repatriate Soviet nationals from Vienna after World War II, Col. Michael S. Nicobar (Walter Pidgeon) and his aides, Maj. John McPhimister (Peter Lawford) and Audrey Quail (Angela Lansbury), relocate from Rome to carry out their mission. Modern audiences will likely view The Red Danube as little more than an anti-communist film, but it actually had somewhat loftier intentions. Drama. The Red Danube also features Angela Lansbury as a proud military woman who stands her ground against sexist male colleagues. Shortly after, Hooky is assigned to an operation called "Humanizing the Army" and forcible repatriation is ended. Share on Reddit. Four men, bored with their Thursday nights out from their wives/mom, rent a love nest in NYC, equipped with a blonde. [1], The film was criticized for being a propaganda film, "designed to make you hate Russia and recognize the Vatican as the true champion of freedom". Later that night, Maria and the Mother Superior reveal that Maria is actually Olga, a Volga German. On his return, he and Catlock are informed by Piniev that unless Maria is surrendered immediately, the Soviets will cease cooperating with the British on all other matters. (which is really a much more useful question). Ron Kerrigan . Dr. Michael Corday, a recent graduate of the Harvard Medical School, is the son of Dr. John Corday, an eminent New York City surgeon who has a tendency to continue to direct the lives of ... See full summary ». The romance between Peter Lawford's adjutant and Janet Leigh's sylph-like Russian refugee ballerina is, in a sense, just an excuse plot to build the movie around, although that storyline is satisfying as well, mainly due to these two talented actors. [9] Film Score Monthly, on the other hand, noted that film "struck a chord with reviewers" by "bringing humanity to a difficult subject" and having a message "not compromised by preachiness."[10]. It should play in all standard DVD players. The Red Danube also had a role to play in Hollywood's reaction to the government's 1947 investigation into possible communist influences in the movie industry. The Red Danube on DVD. Shortly later, the Soviets search the entire convent, looking for Maria. Hooky claims that there is no connection between Maria's reluctance to be deported to the Soviet Union and Serge's suicide, until the third person on his list, Helena Nagard (Tamara Shayne), Serge's wife, responds by bursting into tears. 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