The Pied Piper

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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:

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