DANGEROUS MOONLIGHT
UK, 1941, 89 minutes, Black and white.
Anton Walbrook, Sally Gray, Derrick de Marney, Cecil Parker, Percy Parsons, Kenneth Kent, Guy Middleton, John Laurie, Frederick Valk.
Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst.
Dangerous Moonlight (U.S. title Suicide Squadron) was a popular propaganda film of 1941. It combines romance with a glimpse of European patriotism, the Polish air force in Britain, the battle for Britain and the air force.
The film was written by Terence Young (who was later to write and direct many colourful films including Red Sun, The Christmas Tree, Mayerling, Inchon). Direction is by Brian Desmond Hurst, a director of many British dramas of the '40s.
The film, however, is most famous for the introduction of Richard Addinsell's `The Warsaw Concerto,' which is played to effect throughout the film - and has lasted much longer than the film itself. Anton Walbrook is the star, a veteran of such films as The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, The Red Shoes. Sally Gray is the heroine. There is a supporting cast of regular English character actors. The material is familiar - but it echoes the feeling of 1941. And, of course, there is `The Warsaw Concerto.'
1. British propaganda of 1941? Romance? Music? Impact now? Understanding the war effort?
2. Black and white photography, English sets (even for Warsaw and for the U.S.)? The aerial sequences?
3. The contribution of `The Warsaw Concerto,' for the film, for Stefan's character? As a piece in itself? The use of Chopin's music, especially the Polonaise for patriotic purposes?
4. The character of Stefan: his loss of memory, British concern, pounding the piano, Carol's presence? The concerto and his memories? Meeting Carol in Warsaw, his being a flyer, nine hours in the air, her criticisms, his answers, completing the concerto for her? The missions, to Rumania? In the U.S., the press conference, meeting Carol again, sharing so much with her, meeting her father, the marriage? The successful tours? Mike and his friendship? Going back to Britain, the clash with Carol? His missions, his irritability, especially with Mike? Mike's death, going through his goods? The return to the beginning - and the music reminding him of Carol? Their being reunited?
5. Carol as war correspondent, in Warsaw, meeting Stefan, the concerto, meeting him again in New York, falling in love, the quick marriage, accompanying him on the tours? Dreading his going away, avoiding the issue? The Polonaise and her disdain? The separation? Talking with her father? Going back, the reuniting?
6. Mike and his friendship, attraction towards Carol, loyalty to Stefan, the clash in Britain, his death?
7. The sketch of the music world, New York, concerts in America, morale-boosting for the war?
8. The sketch of the British pilots, their training, work, dangers, fighting? The glimpse of the Polish air force? Their transferring to Britain?
9. Conventional war material, done with feeling and style?
