The same year (1952) that Gene Kelly would become immortal with his "Singing in the rain"-film he also made another movie that is one of his more obscure ones and probably one of the lost classics. Directed by Andrew Marton, a very dubious director who worked on "The longest day" but who also gave us the vehicle "Clarence, the cross-eyed lion" shows us a part of history that is mainly forgot. We are in Munich, 1947 and while the American troop^s seem to handle the new German way of living in a rather good way there are also those left who think the Third Reich can live on without their fuhrer. This costs money and they smuggled the gold to neighbourcountries (in this case Salzburg) for getting financied their new evil plans. Captain Jeff Elliot (Gene Kelly) who knows nothing about it wants to visit a German family Lehrt as they saved his life at the end of the war. Packed with Christmasgifts he stands before a bombed house and learns later that the family has been killed by American bombs, except the little girl Willie (Pier Angeli) but she is nowhere to be found. All pretty German girls seem to work in cabarets and that's where Kelly finds the girl. The meeting between the two is rather based on hated feelings (after all it were American bombs who killed Willie's parents) but Kelly is Kelly and they soon fall in love. By the question of Kelly what could the girl happy she answers that she'd like to visit Salzburg again. The captain thinks it's a small effort but knows nothing that he's driving a car that is full of smuggled gold, and of course as you can imagine the girl is innocent but she has the choice of being beaten by some German gestapopigs or obey them... This little classic (that seems to be forgotten by everyone) is a very nice film that has both its adventuredose, good acting (Kelly doesn't dance for once but proves he is a big actor anyway and Pier Angeli is gorgeous) and its historical worth (tons of locations are filmed in postwar Germany). A quite whole mystery why this film isn't more known as it's a brilliant movie that stands out from tons of mediocre films from that time
22 Reviews
Interesting locations
fafougerat22 June 2006
I don't have much to add besides what others have commented, except to support what was said previously, that the filming locations in post-WWII Germany and Austria are the most interesting features in this film. Views of Munich and Saltzburg give a clear picture of the extent of the devastation that resulted from bombing raids at the end of the war. But for me, what I found the most interesting was the last scenes filmed at Berchesgarten in the ruins of Hitler's Eagle's Lair where the head of the Neo-Nazi organization seeks refuge after being chased by Gene Kelly et-al. This is the only movie I recall that showed this location before it was eradicated.
A Real Gem of a Film
whpratt121 September 2007
This is a Gene Kelly film which I had never viewed and only associated Kelly as a song and dance actor in many musicals. Kelly plays the role as Capt. Jeff Eliot who visits the Lehrt family in Germany who protected him and his plane during WW II. However, he finds out that the family was killed and the only member in the family remaining was Wilhelmina Lehrt,(Pier Angeli). Jeff Eliot finds Willie working in a nightclub and they seem to fall in love with each other, until Jeff finds out some very dark secrets Wilhelmina had been keeping from him and they have a fight between the two of them. Claus Clausen,(Heisemann) plays the role of a Nazi Commander during the Neo-Nazism Post WW II and has complete control over an underground movement that wants to continue the Hitler movement in Germany. There are really outstanding photography inside Adolph Hitler's Berchtesgard Eagles Nest, which is all bombed out and you see Heisemann standing in front of the large window in Berchtesgard. There is plenty of suspense and good supporting actors like Richard Egan, (Lt. Parker) and even some romance. Enjoy
Clearing up a few points on Berchtesgaden and the Eagle's Nest
tdemos27 March 2007
The closing scenes of this film were shot at the ruins of the Berghoff, which was Hitler's actual residence in Berchtesgaden, most famous for the huge picture window that framed a picture-perfect view of the mountains of Germany and Austria. Since the actual building was torn down by the post-war German government during the 1950's (they were afraid of it becoming a Nazi shrine), this film represents a rare, motion picture view of what the site actually looked like during that period.
The location is now the site of the luxury Hotel- InterContinental Berchtesgaden and visitors can still see the same view of the mountains that Hitler built for himself.
"The Eagle's Nest", located nearby, was the informal name given to the Kehlsteinhaus, or the Fuhrer's Tea house, custom built for Hitler at the top of Kehlstein Mountain during the 1930's. The site survived the war and is now a tourist attraction owned by the local government and features a road carved into the shear rock face of the mountain and a deep tunnel with a brass elevator that takes visitors to the top. It was said that Hitler didn't like heights and only visited the Kehlsteinhaus a few times during his lifetime. Contrary to popular belief, the "Eagle's Nest" is not believed to be featured in this movie.
Until recent NATO reductions-in-force, the Americans had many military recreational facilities in Berchtesgaden which have since been turned over to the German government.
The location is now the site of the luxury Hotel- InterContinental Berchtesgaden and visitors can still see the same view of the mountains that Hitler built for himself.
"The Eagle's Nest", located nearby, was the informal name given to the Kehlsteinhaus, or the Fuhrer's Tea house, custom built for Hitler at the top of Kehlstein Mountain during the 1930's. The site survived the war and is now a tourist attraction owned by the local government and features a road carved into the shear rock face of the mountain and a deep tunnel with a brass elevator that takes visitors to the top. It was said that Hitler didn't like heights and only visited the Kehlsteinhaus a few times during his lifetime. Contrary to popular belief, the "Eagle's Nest" is not believed to be featured in this movie.
Until recent NATO reductions-in-force, the Americans had many military recreational facilities in Berchtesgaden which have since been turned over to the German government.
A good film, though it's odd they cast an Italian actress in the lead.
planktonrules21 March 2016
During WWII, American pilot Jeff Eliot (Gene Kelly) was shot down over Germany and hidden by a German family. Since then, he's been sending packages regularly to them. After all, post-war Germany is a mess, food is severely rationed and poverty is everywhere. Now, several years later Captain Eliot is returning to Germany during his Christmas break to renew old times with the family. However, he soon learns the family was burned out in a bombing raid and another family has been pilfering the packages and saying nothing.
A bit later, he recognizes the daughter, Willie (Pier Angeli) in a cheap cantina and they renew old times. However, oddly, he never mentions these care packages when she treats him like an ungrateful American. I have no idea why this was done this way. Regardless, they eventually decide to spend the holiday, in part, in Salzburg and he doesn't realize that she works for scum-bags from 'Silhouette'...a group of ex-Nazis working evil in post-war Germany. When the American military bring this to his attention, Eliot is a bit dippy and doesn't believe his sweet fraulein could be in league with these people...and does she even know who they are?
This is a decent espionage film shot on location in Germany and Austria. The scenes are quite nice and add a lot to the authenticity of the movie. My only quibble is that it seemed very odd that they cast Ms. Angeli in the lead, as she's Italian, not German.
A bit later, he recognizes the daughter, Willie (Pier Angeli) in a cheap cantina and they renew old times. However, oddly, he never mentions these care packages when she treats him like an ungrateful American. I have no idea why this was done this way. Regardless, they eventually decide to spend the holiday, in part, in Salzburg and he doesn't realize that she works for scum-bags from 'Silhouette'...a group of ex-Nazis working evil in post-war Germany. When the American military bring this to his attention, Eliot is a bit dippy and doesn't believe his sweet fraulein could be in league with these people...and does she even know who they are?
This is a decent espionage film shot on location in Germany and Austria. The scenes are quite nice and add a lot to the authenticity of the movie. My only quibble is that it seemed very odd that they cast Ms. Angeli in the lead, as she's Italian, not German.
Interesting and uninteresting at the same time.
Boba_Fett11389 August 2007
The concept of the movie is pretty interesting; The post WW II effects on Germany. Too bad that the movie chooses a completely uninteresting approach.
The story seems to be going nowhere and for an hour it mostly consists out of continuing drivel between Gene Kelly and Pier Angeli. The movie shows some mystery and action tendencies but none of them really pushes through. It makes "The Devil Makes Three" an unsatisfying and also quite redundant movie to watch, despite its very interesting and also original concept. There really aren't that many movies that concentrate on post WW II Germany. Too bad that they couldn't come up with a more interesting story and approach of it.
The movie does get much better and interesting in the end, when a new Nazi order comes in the story but there is nothing in the story before this that even hints to this plot-element. The movie as a whole therefor feels disjointed and the ending comes too late to safe the movie as a whole.
Director Andrew Marton had more success working as a second unit director, with movies such as "Ben-Hur", "Kelly's Heroes" and "The Day of the Jackal".
It definitely helps that the movie was obviously shot at location and in the early '50's, right after WW II. Germany was still in ruins for some parts and the movie uses this backdrop gratefully. It helps to make the movie look and feel realistic and it works obviously better than the normal fake- and studio work. All of the locations seem to be the real thing, including Hitler's Eagle's nest (The Kehlsteinhaus), that was near Berchtesgaden, which at the time of filming was subsequently used by the Allies as a military command post until 1960, when it was handed back to the State of Bavaria.
Guess lots of people are having trouble with seeing Gene Kelly in such a serious role as this one but in all fairness, he pulls it off quite well. He shows that he also knew how to act, besides being normally mostly just a 'show-man' or entertainer. Pier Angeli also plays nicely but her character just isn't the most compelling one. At first you mostly hate her and she is irritating, in the second halve of the movie you're supposed to care about her. This approach just doesn't work out, at least not good enough.
Not an awful movie but still an uninteresting and redundant one.
6/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
The story seems to be going nowhere and for an hour it mostly consists out of continuing drivel between Gene Kelly and Pier Angeli. The movie shows some mystery and action tendencies but none of them really pushes through. It makes "The Devil Makes Three" an unsatisfying and also quite redundant movie to watch, despite its very interesting and also original concept. There really aren't that many movies that concentrate on post WW II Germany. Too bad that they couldn't come up with a more interesting story and approach of it.
The movie does get much better and interesting in the end, when a new Nazi order comes in the story but there is nothing in the story before this that even hints to this plot-element. The movie as a whole therefor feels disjointed and the ending comes too late to safe the movie as a whole.
Director Andrew Marton had more success working as a second unit director, with movies such as "Ben-Hur", "Kelly's Heroes" and "The Day of the Jackal".
It definitely helps that the movie was obviously shot at location and in the early '50's, right after WW II. Germany was still in ruins for some parts and the movie uses this backdrop gratefully. It helps to make the movie look and feel realistic and it works obviously better than the normal fake- and studio work. All of the locations seem to be the real thing, including Hitler's Eagle's nest (The Kehlsteinhaus), that was near Berchtesgaden, which at the time of filming was subsequently used by the Allies as a military command post until 1960, when it was handed back to the State of Bavaria.
Guess lots of people are having trouble with seeing Gene Kelly in such a serious role as this one but in all fairness, he pulls it off quite well. He shows that he also knew how to act, besides being normally mostly just a 'show-man' or entertainer. Pier Angeli also plays nicely but her character just isn't the most compelling one. At first you mostly hate her and she is irritating, in the second halve of the movie you're supposed to care about her. This approach just doesn't work out, at least not good enough.
Not an awful movie but still an uninteresting and redundant one.
6/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
Pier Angeli lifts the film above mediocrity
JuguAbraham7 November 2004
The film stands out because it chooses to look at the socio-political post-war Germany. It looks at the thin slice of the vanquished: the fate of beautiful orphaned girls in a society that has been reduced to poverty.
The story-line is commendable, the plot average. If anything the charming Pier Angeli makes the film worth your time. The director switches the dialogue from English to German frequently at important moments, depriving much of the entertainment of the viewer who might not know German very well. This is a film that deserved subtitling where necessary. Gene Kelly is a poor actor, capable of giving good performances in musicals where dance supersedes drama. This film underscores this fact. Ironically, the songs and dances in the film are good but Kelly has nothing to do with them.
The story-line is commendable, the plot average. If anything the charming Pier Angeli makes the film worth your time. The director switches the dialogue from English to German frequently at important moments, depriving much of the entertainment of the viewer who might not know German very well. This is a film that deserved subtitling where necessary. Gene Kelly is a poor actor, capable of giving good performances in musicals where dance supersedes drama. This film underscores this fact. Ironically, the songs and dances in the film are good but Kelly has nothing to do with them.
The Reich shall rise again
bkoganbing20 January 2016
The Devil Makes Three was made as part of a deal that Gene Kelly made with MGM whereby he would work abroad to take advantage of tax rulings and would also get the go ahead from the studio to do his Invitation To The Dance, a project he longed cherished. All studios liked to keep their contract players even though during the age of television studios were reducing their payrolls. You didn't have a musical on tap, then MGM would slot you into a non-musical. Kelly had made a few of them for his studio before. A later film done in Great Britain, Crest Of A Wave, was part of this package as well.
Nothing terribly special about The Devil Makes Three. Kelly is a serviceman and he's on leave in Germany and looking for a family that had sheltered him when he was shot down. He finds the daughter grown up to be Pier Angeli and she's pretty disillusioned with life singing in a cabaret now.
But Army Intelligence has its eye on her and Kelly is contacted by Richard Rober and Richard Egan to pursue a love affair as if he needed any encouraging and keep an eye for her associates. Her associates turn out to be neo-Nazis.
The best thing about The Devil Makes Three is the location cinematography in Munich, Salzburg, and most especially the winter scenes at Hitler's home away from home Berchtesgarden. Looking at those mountains had he not wanted a Gotterdaemerung ending to his Reich he could have made one nasty fight in those mountains that might have prolonged the European war for a year or two.
It's a routine action adventure, Kelly was always a good actor and most people cite his role in Inherit The Wind as proof of that. And Pier Angeli has thought aura of tragedy that her real life was.
Nothing terribly special about The Devil Makes Three. Kelly is a serviceman and he's on leave in Germany and looking for a family that had sheltered him when he was shot down. He finds the daughter grown up to be Pier Angeli and she's pretty disillusioned with life singing in a cabaret now.
But Army Intelligence has its eye on her and Kelly is contacted by Richard Rober and Richard Egan to pursue a love affair as if he needed any encouraging and keep an eye for her associates. Her associates turn out to be neo-Nazis.
The best thing about The Devil Makes Three is the location cinematography in Munich, Salzburg, and most especially the winter scenes at Hitler's home away from home Berchtesgarden. Looking at those mountains had he not wanted a Gotterdaemerung ending to his Reich he could have made one nasty fight in those mountains that might have prolonged the European war for a year or two.
It's a routine action adventure, Kelly was always a good actor and most people cite his role in Inherit The Wind as proof of that. And Pier Angeli has thought aura of tragedy that her real life was.
Compelling Backdrop to Post-WWII
Enrique-Sanchez-5624 December 2006
There are many reasons to watch this movie:
1. Pier Angeli- this compelling beauty stirs a certain something in our hearts - at once familiar and then somehow mysterious.
2. Gene Kelly- in one of his rare turns in a serious, non-singing, non-dancing part...I agree with another reviewer who says he was a showman not really an actor - - but he does a fair turn here.
3. Historical- few people know that the Nazi movement did not die immediately after Hitler died. The besieged German people had not forgotten the horrors and were still susceptible to somber outlooks.
4. Geo-Architectural- those pictures in the Eagle's Nest were spine-tinglingly eerie, if not thrilling to see since it has been apparently taken down. Other scenes in the German towns and countryside are vastly more interesting than so many other canned backdrops to which we are normally subjected.
All in all, this film occupies its time well - it's not world-shaking, but to me, it will be unforgettable because of the former reasons - especially the historical and geo-architectural...but also, one of our few looks at the beauty of the co-star, the stunningly beautiful Pier Angeli.
1. Pier Angeli- this compelling beauty stirs a certain something in our hearts - at once familiar and then somehow mysterious.
2. Gene Kelly- in one of his rare turns in a serious, non-singing, non-dancing part...I agree with another reviewer who says he was a showman not really an actor - - but he does a fair turn here.
3. Historical- few people know that the Nazi movement did not die immediately after Hitler died. The besieged German people had not forgotten the horrors and were still susceptible to somber outlooks.
4. Geo-Architectural- those pictures in the Eagle's Nest were spine-tinglingly eerie, if not thrilling to see since it has been apparently taken down. Other scenes in the German towns and countryside are vastly more interesting than so many other canned backdrops to which we are normally subjected.
All in all, this film occupies its time well - it's not world-shaking, but to me, it will be unforgettable because of the former reasons - especially the historical and geo-architectural...but also, one of our few looks at the beauty of the co-star, the stunningly beautiful Pier Angeli.
needs more action
SnoopyStyle9 September 2020
In 1947, American bomber pilot Captain Jeff Eliot (Gene Kelly) returns to Munich to visit the family which saved him during the war. He finds the daughter Wilhelmina Lehrt who lost her parents in an American bombing. She works at a nightclub where he is befriended by Heisemann who is secretly a neo-Nazi.
I don't like that he starts dating her. It's more than the age difference with the 40 year old Kelly. He should be a father figure especially with the circumstances of her father's death. He owes it to the family. However, it's a normal situation for its time when teenage girls can be married off to Uncle Gene. On a minor note, the Octoberfest and other German snippets give compelling local flavors to the movie. As a thriller, it takes a long time to be thrilling. It needs to move a lot faster to the underworld intrigue and put Jeff in trouble. Instead, he spends most of his time making googly eyes with the hot young thing. If he skips the romance, the action thriller has more time to gain tension and excitement. The intensity could be better heightened if Jeff is alone dealing with the matter. It has its moments but it needs more action. The ice-motorcycle race looks fun but Jeff needs to ride one of the bikes no matter how ridiculous the setup. They need to dial the danger up to eleven.
I don't like that he starts dating her. It's more than the age difference with the 40 year old Kelly. He should be a father figure especially with the circumstances of her father's death. He owes it to the family. However, it's a normal situation for its time when teenage girls can be married off to Uncle Gene. On a minor note, the Octoberfest and other German snippets give compelling local flavors to the movie. As a thriller, it takes a long time to be thrilling. It needs to move a lot faster to the underworld intrigue and put Jeff in trouble. Instead, he spends most of his time making googly eyes with the hot young thing. If he skips the romance, the action thriller has more time to gain tension and excitement. The intensity could be better heightened if Jeff is alone dealing with the matter. It has its moments but it needs more action. The ice-motorcycle race looks fun but Jeff needs to ride one of the bikes no matter how ridiculous the setup. They need to dial the danger up to eleven.
Fascinating Post-WII Film
synergydesign200324 December 2006
The movie grabs your attention immediately and doesn't let go until the end. Post WII Germany is one of the main characters here and it's fascinating to see the bombed out buildings and how people had to live after the war. The fact that it was filmed on location in winter only adds to the mystery.
As for Gene Kelly not being an actor but only a showman, watch him in Inherit the Wind, and you may change your mind. His non-dancing roles were not really all that rare, even during his heyday as a dancer.
Pier Angeli, who was Italian, is cast as a German girl. That doesn't quite work for me, as her German isn't good enough for her to have been a native, yet her appealing nature, her huge eyes and her inherent sweetness help her performance as woman whose innocence has been lost.
The corruption and struggle to rebuild in Germany and Austria after the war is something that most people do not really know much about. Other recommended movies that deal with this subject are A Foreign Affair and The Third Man.
As for Gene Kelly not being an actor but only a showman, watch him in Inherit the Wind, and you may change your mind. His non-dancing roles were not really all that rare, even during his heyday as a dancer.
Pier Angeli, who was Italian, is cast as a German girl. That doesn't quite work for me, as her German isn't good enough for her to have been a native, yet her appealing nature, her huge eyes and her inherent sweetness help her performance as woman whose innocence has been lost.
The corruption and struggle to rebuild in Germany and Austria after the war is something that most people do not really know much about. Other recommended movies that deal with this subject are A Foreign Affair and The Third Man.
Slow moving spy melodama!
JohnHowardReid29 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Copyright 12 August 1952 by Loew's Inc. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. New York opening at the Globe: 29 August 1952. U.S. release: September 1952. U.K. release: 15 December 1952. Australian release: 3 December 1952. Sydney opening at the St James. Approx. 90 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A memory brings Captain Eliot back to Munich - the memory of a girl who hid him from the Germans during the war. He finds her at the Cafe Silhouette. In the struggle for survival she has become part of a vicious underground pledged to new terror. How much a part, the American can can't know.
COMMENT: Slow-moving spy melodrama with dull romantic interludes involving two of the wettest principals we have come across for some time. Mr Kelly doesn't sing a note or dance a step and is woefully miscast, while Miss Angeli with her innocent face and soulful eyes makes a thoroughly unconvincing B-girl.
The American supporting cast is not much better, but the Germans are something else again. Claus Clausen, aided by skilful make-up (his features are made to seem wholly bland and cherubic in the former half of the film, but heavy shadow under his eyes, lines across his forehead and straggly-looking hair is used in the latter stages to give him a Dr Mabuse look), gives a most impressive portrayal and there are equally sinister vignettes by Heinrich Gretler and others while Miss Hielscher comes across effectively as a nightclub chantoose.
Director Andrew Marton does nothing for the interior scenes but when the script moves out to the German countryside, he reveals his flair for action spots. There is a marvellously exciting, extended chase climax with the villain appropriately cornered in the ruins of Hitler's house. The location photography is nothing short of superlative. Other production credits, however, are merely adequate.
OTHER VIEWS: Gripping mystery/romantic drama, skilfully acted by Kelly and Angeli, forcefully directed by Andrew Marton on actual locations, with fine photography, realistic sets, and plenty of hair's-breadth action.
SYNOPSIS: A memory brings Captain Eliot back to Munich - the memory of a girl who hid him from the Germans during the war. He finds her at the Cafe Silhouette. In the struggle for survival she has become part of a vicious underground pledged to new terror. How much a part, the American can can't know.
COMMENT: Slow-moving spy melodrama with dull romantic interludes involving two of the wettest principals we have come across for some time. Mr Kelly doesn't sing a note or dance a step and is woefully miscast, while Miss Angeli with her innocent face and soulful eyes makes a thoroughly unconvincing B-girl.
The American supporting cast is not much better, but the Germans are something else again. Claus Clausen, aided by skilful make-up (his features are made to seem wholly bland and cherubic in the former half of the film, but heavy shadow under his eyes, lines across his forehead and straggly-looking hair is used in the latter stages to give him a Dr Mabuse look), gives a most impressive portrayal and there are equally sinister vignettes by Heinrich Gretler and others while Miss Hielscher comes across effectively as a nightclub chantoose.
Director Andrew Marton does nothing for the interior scenes but when the script moves out to the German countryside, he reveals his flair for action spots. There is a marvellously exciting, extended chase climax with the villain appropriately cornered in the ruins of Hitler's house. The location photography is nothing short of superlative. Other production credits, however, are merely adequate.
OTHER VIEWS: Gripping mystery/romantic drama, skilfully acted by Kelly and Angeli, forcefully directed by Andrew Marton on actual locations, with fine photography, realistic sets, and plenty of hair's-breadth action.
Impressions of Germany after the war
dkbs15 May 2005
The film's plot is solid yarn but not much above average. What makes the film interesting are two things: First Pier Angeli as the girl. And more than that, that the film gives a strong impression of how Germany looked like during the first years after WW II. There is a very atmospheric photography which shows some original locations in Munich and Bavaria: the Bavarian landscape, some villages, the post war Munich. Beyond it the film focuses on the everyday life of the German people more than other films with a similar topic, and it does it in an interesting way: you see some clothes, cars or flats of that time for example and some of the cabarets, clubs ore Night Shows, which obviously where quite typical for the post war era in Germany (and can be found in some other films about post war Germany ). And by this "The Devil Makes Three" manages to be a nice contemporary document along the way.
Interesting if Inconsequential Post-War Nazi Intrigue
LeonLouisRicci6 September 2016
A Post-War Peek at the Bombed Out Germany and its Beleaguered and Confused Populace. Gene Kelly is Adequate in a Non-Singing-Dancing Role, but it is Piere Angelie that all Eyes are Transfixed.
The Real Star is the On-Location Vista of the Snow-Capped Mountains, the Devastated Streets and Buildings, and Hitler's Home.
There are some Poignant and Profound Scenes, like the one with the Family and Kids that moved into an Abandon Building. Angelie's Cynical Dialog of Loss and Circumstance, and the Musical Numbers are Interesting Satire.
The Plot is an Average Account of Smuggling and Nazi Wannabees and Holder's On, but the Film doesn't manage much Suspense or Action. Overall Worth a Watch for the Aforementioned but the Movie Plays it Safe in a lot of ways.
Gene Kelly's Detractors are Inconsiderate and Cruel. He won't Win any Awards for His Dramatics, but is No Better or Worse than His Second Tier Peers in that Department. There may be One Love Scene too many, and His Co-Star's Depression is Overwrought at times. Still this has its moments and is a Fine Production.
The Real Star is the On-Location Vista of the Snow-Capped Mountains, the Devastated Streets and Buildings, and Hitler's Home.
There are some Poignant and Profound Scenes, like the one with the Family and Kids that moved into an Abandon Building. Angelie's Cynical Dialog of Loss and Circumstance, and the Musical Numbers are Interesting Satire.
The Plot is an Average Account of Smuggling and Nazi Wannabees and Holder's On, but the Film doesn't manage much Suspense or Action. Overall Worth a Watch for the Aforementioned but the Movie Plays it Safe in a lot of ways.
Gene Kelly's Detractors are Inconsiderate and Cruel. He won't Win any Awards for His Dramatics, but is No Better or Worse than His Second Tier Peers in that Department. There may be One Love Scene too many, and His Co-Star's Depression is Overwrought at times. Still this has its moments and is a Fine Production.
No dancing for Gene Kelly taken for a ride by post war Nazi smugglers
clanciai17 February 2018
The introduction is very promising with almost a documentary touch on post war Germany in the ruins of Munich. Pier Angeli makes a very moving character as an orphaned girl at the mercy of what is worse than just pimps. Gene Kelly's lack of dancing and singing in this picture is not made up by his acting. The round in the joints of Munich is priceless with insight in its cabarets and very local styles with genuine music and performers. The final one is the Silhouette, where the band is led by a singer/pianist who sings in both German and broken English (Claus Clausen) with darkly bittersweet irony reflecting the tragedy of Germany with a painted smile on it. If this mood would have been sustained the film would have been interesting indeed, like Carol Reed's "The Man Between". Instead it loses itself in a Nazi plot with gangsters and shootings, and the human factor is lost in action. The winter landscape adds to the dreariness and poverty of the concept, and the final settlement is far from convincing, although the ruins of Berchtesgaden are used in an effort to augment the drama. This must be Gene Kelly's worst film, and only Pier Angeli and the ruins of Germany save it.
Berchetz Garden Gold
DKosty1236 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Gene Kelly stars in a movie where he does not sing or dance. Yet there is plenty of music used in the film. In glorious black and white, this film is filmed on location in post war Germany. While the plot has no real story behind it, the locations and destruction left behind after the war are interesting.
Kelly is an American Soldier here who romances a young girl whose parents had died during the war in Allied Bomb raids. Then the naive Kelly finds out why the girl is interested in him. It is a sub-plot of stolen war gold which is being smuggled over the border in order to re-raise the Nazi party from the ashes of war.
The filming of Adolf Hitler's retreats are filmed on location and some of them were torn down shortly after filming making this the last film to use these locales. The Italian actress playing an 18 year old German girl working in a cabaret in this would go on to more films but never achieve great fame, and commit suicide in 1969 at age 39. Her ending is tragic, but the young lady does okay here.
Kelly is an American Soldier here who romances a young girl whose parents had died during the war in Allied Bomb raids. Then the naive Kelly finds out why the girl is interested in him. It is a sub-plot of stolen war gold which is being smuggled over the border in order to re-raise the Nazi party from the ashes of war.
The filming of Adolf Hitler's retreats are filmed on location and some of them were torn down shortly after filming making this the last film to use these locales. The Italian actress playing an 18 year old German girl working in a cabaret in this would go on to more films but never achieve great fame, and commit suicide in 1969 at age 39. Her ending is tragic, but the young lady does okay here.
Pier Angeli
randtjcf24 December 2006
10 for Pier Angeli and 0 for Kelly who could of made this a good movie by dancing and not acting. An interesting plot of smuggling plus two weird characters on motorcycles starts to add-up to the appropriate ending . Pier Angeli is a fantastic and beautiful actress, I just had to say that, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this plus it's filmed in Germany, at least the scenery is. Some continuity issues. Willie brings up some poignant issues with her sarcasm concerning American occupation of postwar, poverty ridden Germany that few people today ever took the time to try and understand-the utter destruction of a country its people and their heritage. This movie would make and great candidate for a remake and a good history lesson for anyone. Let's hope that it happens.
The Berghof versus The Eagle's Nest
j_swanson-2494028 October 2019
Previous reviews refer to Hitler's home as the Eagle's Nest, this is incorrect. His home, the ruins featured in the film, was known as The Berghof. The Eagle's Nest or the Kehlsteinhaus as the Germans call it, is the mountain top tea house now a restaurant that was built high atop a ridge over Berchtesgadden, Germany.
The Neo-Nazis fight on.
horn-52 June 2006
One of many of the post-war (WW II)films built around the theme of German nationalist's out to rebuild the Nazi Reich, this one is a bit less documentary-styled than most of the others. But the screenplay( by Jerry Davis) pulls few punches in depicting the Munich of 1947---the bombed-out homes, the bitterness, the German self-pity (justifibaly so in most cases, but with the blame placed on the wrong doorsteps) and the struggle and fight for survival.
Simplified, the story has U.S. Captain Jeff Elliott (Gene Kelly) returning to Germany to visit the family that once saved his life, learns that the only one still alive is the family's youngest, Wilhelmina "Willie" Lehrt (Pier Angeli), as the rest of the family were victims of an Allied air raid strike. "Willie", now working as a cabaret singer and forcibly-involved with a gold-smuggling gang, working to restart Hitler's 1000-year reign-plan,does not receive Elliott with open arms.
The film, as originally shown in the USA in the 96-minute version, is primarily all-characters speaking English, but IS sub-titled when the characters speak German. (Maybe they felt no need to outside of English-speaking countries.) Shot on location, including shots at Salzburg and a scene in the Mozarteum and the finale which finds the Nazi leader trapped in the ruined desolation of Hitler's Berchtesgaden Eagle's Nest.
Songs heard in the film include "Can Love Come Back Again." "Oh, Christmas Tree" and "Wie Sole Das Bazahlen."
Simplified, the story has U.S. Captain Jeff Elliott (Gene Kelly) returning to Germany to visit the family that once saved his life, learns that the only one still alive is the family's youngest, Wilhelmina "Willie" Lehrt (Pier Angeli), as the rest of the family were victims of an Allied air raid strike. "Willie", now working as a cabaret singer and forcibly-involved with a gold-smuggling gang, working to restart Hitler's 1000-year reign-plan,does not receive Elliott with open arms.
The film, as originally shown in the USA in the 96-minute version, is primarily all-characters speaking English, but IS sub-titled when the characters speak German. (Maybe they felt no need to outside of English-speaking countries.) Shot on location, including shots at Salzburg and a scene in the Mozarteum and the finale which finds the Nazi leader trapped in the ruined desolation of Hitler's Berchtesgaden Eagle's Nest.
Songs heard in the film include "Can Love Come Back Again." "Oh, Christmas Tree" and "Wie Sole Das Bazahlen."
Egan great, Kelly not
Eireann6 March 2006
Great subject matter that opened dialogs and minds about socio-political post war Europe (Germany.) Well cast, with honest and moving performances. I believe it was one of the first of its kind, and for that it should be commended.
It should come as no surprise that Richard Egan carries this picture as the lead, with a group of capable and fine actors. The one exception is Gene Kelly. He's not an actor; he was a showman. I recently heard Kelly took issue with taller, masculine men (and at 5'7, it wasn't hard to out "stand" him) who actually sounded like the leading men they were. With Richard Egan leading the pack, there was no shortage of these men. As such, Kelly should have been more concerned with his performance, and matching up to the talents that were cast to surround and support his "performance."
It should come as no surprise that Richard Egan carries this picture as the lead, with a group of capable and fine actors. The one exception is Gene Kelly. He's not an actor; he was a showman. I recently heard Kelly took issue with taller, masculine men (and at 5'7, it wasn't hard to out "stand" him) who actually sounded like the leading men they were. With Richard Egan leading the pack, there was no shortage of these men. As such, Kelly should have been more concerned with his performance, and matching up to the talents that were cast to surround and support his "performance."
Romantic thriller with neo-Nazi elements
jarrodmcdonald-130 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Scenes from this MGM picture were filmed in Germany and Austria, so naturally, the exterior shots of Bavaria are breath taking. We are told the story is a composite of case histories taken from U. S. Army files. It is set in 1947 and recounts events that happened just after the war had ended.
Gene Kelly, on sabbatical from musicals, plays an army officer who returns to Germany where he had been stationed three years before. During his time there during the war, he had been captured and sent to a prison camp. However, he had escaped and a kind German family had hid him from the Nazis until he was able to get back to his unit.
Now he'd like a chance to see this family again and to properly thank them for saving his life. However, sad news awaits him when he goes to their home. He learns they were killed in an American air raid.
After some investigating, Kelly and a pal (Richard Egan) learn that the family's daughter (Pier Angeli) is not listed among the casualties. There is a chance she survived and is still living somewhere in the area. Kelly tells Egan how important it is for him to locate the girl, who would now be around 18.
Since Egan knows a lot of the local establishments (translation: bars), he takes Kelly around to search for the girl. One evening they frequent a place called the Silhouette nightclub, and Kelly is glad to discover that Angeli works there. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a joyous reunion with her, since she no longer thinks very highly of Americans after the death of her parents.
In the scenes that follow Kelly tries to tear down her defenses. Gradually she remembers their tender friendship and renews her old feelings for him. If not, there would be no romance.
Miss Angeli projects the right sort of innocence required for the role. It is suggested that her character had to do certain things to stay alive after her folks' demise...such as smuggle stolen good and possibly prostitute herself. As for Mr. Kelly, I may be in the minority, but I always enjoy his non-musical performances. Especially in films like this one, BLACK HAND and INHERIT THE WIND.
While the two become reacquainted and realize their deep affection, there are various political intrigues taking place in the background. For instance, Kelly learns that while Hitler and his cronies are either dead or in prison, there is a revivalist movement afoot.
In this regard, the picture's story presents an early neo-Nazi tale. Obviously Kelly will have a part to play in the downfall of this new political group. He is instructed by his superiors to remain in the region and find out as much as he can.
Meanwhile there is a comic (Claus Clausen) who performs at the club where Angeli is employed. Though not revealed at first, this seemingly harmless comedian is actually the mastermind of the neo-Nazi group that Kelly seeks to expose. It all leads to a spectacular chase through the streets and down snow-covered roads.
The final sequence occurs in a house owned by Hitler that would soon be demolished by the West German government. To up the drama, the scenarists have Clausen shoot Angeli who gets caught in the crossfire. She will recover to facilitate the happy ending. The film functions as a document of Germany's then recent past, as well as a signifier that the hard-won liberation from the Nazis would not be sacrificed at any cost.
The prevailing romantic note of Kelly and Angeli's love story tells us the Americans and the Germans have united in creating a new generation that values peace above everything else.
Gene Kelly, on sabbatical from musicals, plays an army officer who returns to Germany where he had been stationed three years before. During his time there during the war, he had been captured and sent to a prison camp. However, he had escaped and a kind German family had hid him from the Nazis until he was able to get back to his unit.
Now he'd like a chance to see this family again and to properly thank them for saving his life. However, sad news awaits him when he goes to their home. He learns they were killed in an American air raid.
After some investigating, Kelly and a pal (Richard Egan) learn that the family's daughter (Pier Angeli) is not listed among the casualties. There is a chance she survived and is still living somewhere in the area. Kelly tells Egan how important it is for him to locate the girl, who would now be around 18.
Since Egan knows a lot of the local establishments (translation: bars), he takes Kelly around to search for the girl. One evening they frequent a place called the Silhouette nightclub, and Kelly is glad to discover that Angeli works there. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a joyous reunion with her, since she no longer thinks very highly of Americans after the death of her parents.
In the scenes that follow Kelly tries to tear down her defenses. Gradually she remembers their tender friendship and renews her old feelings for him. If not, there would be no romance.
Miss Angeli projects the right sort of innocence required for the role. It is suggested that her character had to do certain things to stay alive after her folks' demise...such as smuggle stolen good and possibly prostitute herself. As for Mr. Kelly, I may be in the minority, but I always enjoy his non-musical performances. Especially in films like this one, BLACK HAND and INHERIT THE WIND.
While the two become reacquainted and realize their deep affection, there are various political intrigues taking place in the background. For instance, Kelly learns that while Hitler and his cronies are either dead or in prison, there is a revivalist movement afoot.
In this regard, the picture's story presents an early neo-Nazi tale. Obviously Kelly will have a part to play in the downfall of this new political group. He is instructed by his superiors to remain in the region and find out as much as he can.
Meanwhile there is a comic (Claus Clausen) who performs at the club where Angeli is employed. Though not revealed at first, this seemingly harmless comedian is actually the mastermind of the neo-Nazi group that Kelly seeks to expose. It all leads to a spectacular chase through the streets and down snow-covered roads.
The final sequence occurs in a house owned by Hitler that would soon be demolished by the West German government. To up the drama, the scenarists have Clausen shoot Angeli who gets caught in the crossfire. She will recover to facilitate the happy ending. The film functions as a document of Germany's then recent past, as well as a signifier that the hard-won liberation from the Nazis would not be sacrificed at any cost.
The prevailing romantic note of Kelly and Angeli's love story tells us the Americans and the Germans have united in creating a new generation that values peace above everything else.
Powerful postwar drama
searchanddestroy-113 April 2023
And directed by a war film specialist: Andrew Marton, who already gave us LONGEST DAY - ten years after this one - THE THIN RED LINE, MEN OF THE FIGHTING LADY, and he was also the director of the BEN HUR - 59 - terrific chariot race, several decades after B Reeves eason for the Fred Niblo's version. So, back to this one, this not a real war film, but post war, more exactly, in occupied Germany, without being a spy intrigue, as there were so so many BERLIN EXPRESS, SEALED VERDICT...And Gene Kelly is also very impressive here, as he was two years earlier in THE BLACK HAND. But not as impressive as the climax of this movie, outstanding finale for an outstanding setting....
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