Rent Watch on the Rhine (1943)

Political Drama. - Watch on the Rhine review by Steve

Lillian Hellman's play was a big deal on Broadway in 1941 and won the New York Drama Critics' Award. By the the time it was adapted into a film, its message- that if the US didn't enter the war, then the war would come to the US- was redundent. America was mobilised. Still, this works as upmarket propaganda which makes a moral case for anti-fascism.

Paul Lukas repeats his starring role from the stage and he's convincing as a member of the German underground who seeks respite in Washington among the complacent family of his American wife. Bette Davis hardly looks like a refugee, but plays more of an activist than was usual back then for a woman in a Hollywood political film.

Herman Shumlin directed the play in New York but had no experience in cinema, as Davis was quick to remind him. He mainly just photographs the play. The production is too pristine- gowns by Orry-Kelly- but that's Hollywood. This is largely about the performances and Lukas gives easily the best of his career.

And he won the Oscar for best actor, despite the nomination of Humphrey Bogart for Casablanca! Both play men compelled to return to the fight. But most of all this is a record of Hellman's skill as a writer of persuasive, high quality dialogue. There were films which argued more passionately for America to commit to the war, but few as elegantly.