Paris Underground [Madame Pimpernel] *** (1945, Constance Bennett, Gracie Fields) – Classic Movie Review 3349

Constance Bennett and Gracie Fields form an odd but likeable double act as an American woman and her English friend who join forces to hide Allied fliers from the Nazis in occupied Paris in World War Two.

Star Bennett produced director Gregory Ratoff’s suspenseful 1945 wartime suspense thriller Paris Underground [Madame Pimpernel] about a rich American divorcee called Kitty de Mornay (Bennett) and her companion Emmyline (Emmy) Quayle (Fields), an English detainee in the German-occupied French capital, who put their lives at risk when they become members of the French Resistance.

Boris Ingster and Gertrude Purcell write a standard screenplay (based on a novel by Etta Shiber apparently drawing on an incredible true story) that ends up with some writing and pacing problems. It is just a pity that this adventure moves so sedately and yet still has a rushed climax. But, still, the script is brought to life by the fine acting of the two female leads, who make it entertaining and sometimes inspiring. And Lee Garmes’s black and white cinematography is an asset.

Also in the cast are George Rigaud, Kurt Kreuger, Leslie Vincent, Charles André, Eily Maylon, Gregory Gaye, Richard Ryen, Vladimir Sokoloff, Roland Varno, André Charlot, Andrew McLaglen and Harry Morgan.

It is the 15th and final feature film of English actress, singer and comedienne Gracie Fields, DBE, born Grace Stansfield (9 January 1898 – 27 September 1979).

It was released in the US with its original title as Paris Underground on 19 October 1945 but later released in the UK as Madame Pimpernel.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3349

Link to Derek Winnert’s home page for more reviews: http://derekwinnert.com/

Gracie Fields on the isle of Capri, Italy, in 1973, where she spent the later part of her life.