Escape [DVD] [1940] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

This beautiful rendering of Ethel Vance's runaway bestseller has sensitive performances from Robert Taylor and Norma Shearer and restrained direction from Mervyn LeRoy. Radio fans will be surprised to see Arch Oboler's name among the writing credits, as the writer who took over Lights Out and thrilled audiences for years helped Marguerite Roberts retool Vance's tense and exciting melodrama in to Norma Shearer's last great film. The role of Countess Ruby von Trek was beefed up by MGM and while it remains overall Taylor's film, who is outstanding, it is Shearer's final sacrifice to get he and his mother out of Germany the viewer will always remember. Having seen this many times over the years, it remains my favorite of the lovely Shearer's films sans her husband, Irving Thalberg. Legend has it she went around incoherently asking people if they were Irving when she was relegated to being cared for in her old age.

Robert Taylor is excellent as the American traveling to Germany to discover what has become of his mother, who had gone back to sell the family home. Silent film star Alla Nazimova hams it up a bit at times but is effective nonetheless as his mother, Emily Ritter. Mark's mother had helped refugees escape the Nazis and would have been wiser to stay in America. Mark isn't sure what has happened to his mother, and has only a letter and postmark to go by. Shearer is regal and luminous in fur from the first frame, a glorious flower fronting the beautiful alps in the background. Ruby is an American by birth, a widow who remained in her adopted country when her German husband of title passed on. More worldly than the innocent Mark, she at first refuses to help, urging him to return to the United States where it is safe.

It becomes even more dangerous for the American as his questions have reached the ears of the Gestapo. But not all in Germany are of the same mind about their country's direction, and when he discovers his mother has been interned in a concentration camp, a desperate and exciting plan to get her out is hatched and aided by them. Philip Dorn as the doctor who helps fake her death so that Mark can claim the body, and Felix Bressart as the old family friend sent to pick up the coffin are excellent. In a kind gesture to her silent screen past, Shearer afforded Nazimova a meaty role here, and she makes the most of her screen time after a long absence. Shearer is marvelous as a woman with conflicting loyalties. The mistress of General Kolb (Conrad Veidt) who has protected her from harm thus far, her true feelings are for Mark. A daring plan to escape with them so she and Mark can have their happiness plays out with tension and excitement in this glossy melodrama. The ending will come as a surprise.

Tense and exciting at times, with restrained performances and a fine adaptation of Vance's novel, this glossy production is MGM at their best, and gorgeous Norma Shearer just the way we'd like to remember her. Bonita Granville gives a noteworthy performance as the nosy and misguided Ursula. Released in 1940, this film makes little bones about the climate in Germany while offering classic film fans some glossy A+ entertainment. A real winner.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) presents "ESCAPE" (1940 - (104 min/B&W) Starring: Robert Taylor, Norma Shearer, Conrad Veidt, Ala Nazimova & Felix Bressart

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy

Based on a novel by Ethel Vance, Robert Taylor plays a young American who is the son of a widowed European woman (Alla Nazimova). The mother has been imprisoned in a German concentration camp, compelling her son to ignore America's neutrality and attempt a rescue. Sneaking into German-occupied Europe, Taylor is befriended by a countess (Norma Shearer) who is the mistress of a Nazi general (Conrad Veidt).

This is an underrated film, MGM doesn't pull any punches on their feelings about Hitler, and his concentration camps of Nazi Germany. Not the run of the mill you are use to from MGM during that time in Hollywood.

Shearer gives one of her best performances, also Veldt's character as the charming but ruthless Nazi General, still gives us chills.

This was a gutsy move on MGM's part, as we were not at war with Germany for over a year.

BIOS:
1. Murvyn Leroy Director)
Date of Birth: 15 October 1900 - San Francisco, California
Date of Death: 13 September 1987 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California

2. Robert Taylor [aka: Spengler Arlington Br ugh]
Date of Birth: 5 August 1911 - Willey, Nebraska
Date of Death: 8 June 1969 - Santa Monica, California

3. Norma Shearer [aka: Edith Norma Shearer]
Date of Birth: 10 August 1902 - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date of Death: 12 June 1983 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

4. Conrad Veidt [aka: Hans Walter Conrad Weidar]
Date of Birth: 22 January 1893 - Potsdam, Germany
Date of Death: 3 April 1943 - Hollywood, California

5, Alla Nazimova [aka: Mariam Leventon]
Date of Birth: 22 May 1879 - Yalta, Taurida Governorate, Russian Empire [now Crimea, Ukraine]
Date of Death: 13 July 1945 - Los Angeles, California

6. Felix Bressart
Date of Birth: 2 March 1892 - Eydtkuhnen, East Prussia, Germany [now Chernyshevskoe, Russia]
Date of Death: 17 March 1949 - Los Angeles, California

* Special footnote: -- Because of the quality of this DVD - am giving this a 3 1/2 star rating, although
the cast, screenplay and direction is five star performances.

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 3 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 104 min on DVD ~ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ~ (July 7, 2010)

I really liked this movie. Of course, I love Norma Shearer, WWII movies and true love stories. I can not believe I have not seen it before. I'm ashamed to call myself a film buff.