The thought of suicide. There were a couple of times the idea crossed my mind. Working for my Father caused me great personal pain. Mental cruelty with the help of his workers made my life unbearable. Each day working at his place of business was like being in jail without the bars. I felt like I couldn't go on another day and saying to myself "I can't go on!" Our story begins in an inner city London Steamship office. Eight passengers all diverse, awaiting the call to embark on a voyage across the Atlantic bound for the U.S.A.. Our ninth member is a frantic, hopeful Henry Bergner (Paul Henreid) Ex-Austrian Resistance fighter and injured handed pianist feels useless to his wife and himself and wants to start his life over in America alone. Henry wants to sail to America and get away from war torn England but lacks an exit permit necessary for departure. Meanwhile his concerned Wife Ann (Eleanore Parker) is looking for her depressed husband and heads for the steamship office. A dejected Henry heads home to his London flat. As Ann approaches the office, air raid sirens go off as Nazi bombs land randomly on buildings. Ann witnesses the passengers leaving the steamship office as they pack into a transport vehicle and drive down the street. A falling bomb hits the car and kills everyone inside as Ann watches in horror. Ann dodges the carnage. With no where else to look, she heads back to her flat where she sees Henry as he turns on the gas from the stove in a suicide attempt. He persuades her to leave but it's to late as the two fall unconscious and awake aboard a deserted steamship. They realize his suicide attempt was cast. Henry and Ann are relieved that they will be together for eternity and Henry's injured hand is restored as he tickles the ivories on the ships piano as the other guests listen and comment on his accompaniment. Ann and Henry meet the kindly steward Scrubby (Edmund Gwenn) as Ann noticed the familiar eight passengers who were killed earlier from a falling bombs. Scrubby emphasizes not to inform the other passengers that they are deceased. The group should find out in time in their own way which makes for a more pleasant voyage. This makes the situation unbearable for Ann and Henry when they interact with the passengers. as the expired quests unsuspecting, tell about how exciting it will be to travel to the United States. As for our guests on this voyage to wherever? You have the timid effeminate Anglican Priest Reverend William Duke (Dennis King) who's goal in life is to meet all peoples of the world. Next the cynical metaphoric newspaperman Tom Prior (John Garfield) with his girl friend along side and wealth seeking actress Maxine Russell (Faye Emerson). Rugged Merchant Marine Pete Musick (George Tobias) eager to see his new born child for the first time with his good luck charm Ho-Ho-Kus in his pocket. Our difficult member of the group is the hyper-fastidious Mr. Lingley (George Coulouris) a self made millionaire who goes to extremes to hurt others for capital gain and is quick with the tipping to get what he wants. Next we have an elderly couple Genevieve and Bejamin Cliveden-Banks played by Isabel Elsom and Gilbert Emery. Mrs. Cliveden-Banks is a superficial social climber who married her husband for his wealth. Mr. Cliveden was taken in by her beauty many years earlier but gave up his free will to accommodate his narcissistic spouse. Finally we have Mrs Midget (Sara Algood) with a heart of gold and pure as the driven snow but we don't really know her intentions for traveling yet she is very much connected and fascinated by the actions of our wise cracking character Tom Prior. Prior over hears Ann and Henry talk about their dilemma. Prior is sort of relieved at this point but demonstrates to the others in a magic show form that the guest are all dead using a loaded pistol given to him by Mr. Lingley. How do our guests react to the news? What about their judgment by the unknown examiner who determines their final destinations? Some questions come to mind... I figured business of death was booming off the charts with millions dead from World War II. I guess it would take away from the script and cast to have thousands of extras aboard the heavenly vessel. Sidney Greenstreet, The Examiner, caries himself with confidence against the petty Mrs. Cliveden -Banks and the self made man Lingley of Lingley limited. Brash and cynic John Garfield steals the scenes with his signature line, "Pick A Card, Pick A Card!" . The troupe plays well against each other in this unorthodox setting for judgment day. Nothing more comforting than Edmund Gwenn preparing you for the after life. Love those movies about the possibility of life after death. Fascinating film. As for me, patience and time freed me from my time with Father as crooked partners forced him out. I found another job and my life moved on..
Review of Between Two Worlds
