The Pied Piper
Movie | |
---|---|
German title | The rat catcher from Hameln |
Original title | The Pied Piper |
Country of production | United States |
original language | English |
Publishing year | 1942 |
length | 86 minutes |
Rod | |
Director | Irving Pichel |
script | Nunnally Johnson |
production | Nunnally Johnson for 20th Century Fox |
music | Alfred Newman |
camera | Edward Cronjager |
cut | Allen McNeill |
occupation | |
|
The Pied Piper (alternative title: Der Pied Piper von Hameln ) is an American film from 1942 about an English gentleman who unwillingly becomes the savior of a crowd of children from defeated France. The leading role is played by Monty Woolley , who received an Oscar nomination for best actor for his performance. Directs this adaptation of the novel of the same name Nevil Shute led Irving Pichel .
action
Mr. Howard, a somewhat misanthropic Englishman, learns of the defeat and evacuation of the British Army from Dunkirk while on vacation in the south of France. The decision to return home is quickly made. Although he loathes little more than little children, Mr. Howard lets himself be softened by an acquaintance whose two children Ronnie and Sheila are taking to London with him. On the way to Paris, the group makes a stop in Joigny, where everyone is forced to switch from the train to an intercity bus. Shortly before Chartres, the little rose joins the group. As soon as it was on its way back to the capital, the bus was shot at by a German plane. In the ensuing chaos, Mr. Howard finds the traumatized Pierre, and with it the next child to take care of. Finally there is Willem, a child from Holland, who is also part of the motley troupe. Although the children speak different languages, to Mr. Howard's surprise they communicate well with one another. In the hope of some relaxation, Mr. Howard makes a stopover with the Rougeron family, old friends from the pre-war days. The pretty daughter of the house, Nicole, confesses to the surprised guest from England that she once loved his son, who had died a few months earlier as a Royal Air Force bomber pilot.
Just as everyone is about to board a boat to cross the canal, the group is captured by Major Diessen, a member of the occupation army. Mr. Howard manages to convince the officer to let her go. In the end, the passage succeeds and the children are safe. Mr. Howard only tells his friends at the club how easy and calm the return trip was.
background
In addition to his appearance in The Pied Piper, Monty Woolley had a second major personal success in 1942 in The Man Who Came to Dinner , the film adaptation of his greatest stage success.
Awards
At the Academy Awards in 1943 , the film received nominations in the following categories:
- Best movie
- Best Actor - Monty Wooley
- Best Cinematography (black and white film) - Edward Cronjager
Web links
- The Pied Piper in theInternet Movie Database(English)
- further information at Turner Classic Movies
- Review - English ( Memento from September 29, 2011 in the Internet Archive )