Uncertain Glory

Uncertain Glory
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Produced by Robert Buckner
Written by László Vadnay
Max Brand
Based on original story by Joe May
László Vadnay
Starring Errol Flynn
Paul Lukas
Music by Adolph Deutsch
Cinematography Sidney Hickox
Edited by George Amy
Production
company
Thomson Productions
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release dates
  • April 22, 1944 (1944-04-22)

(US)
1951 (France)

Running time
 102 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office 1,022,524 admissions (France)[1][2]

Uncertain Glory is a 1944 film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn and Paul Lukas.[3]

Plot

During World War II, Jean Picard (Errol Flynn) is a convicted killer being led to the guillotine. He escapes during an air raid but is captured by French Sûreté Inspector Marcel Bonet (Paul Lukas). They learn that a bridge has been blown up by three saboteurs, and that the Germans have taken 100 hostages who will be killed unless the saboteurs are apprehended by the Vichy police. To buy time in order to escape again, Picard persuades Bonet to let him pose as one of the saboteurs to save the hostages. In the course of enacting a story that will convince the Vichy that Picard is one of the escaped saboteurs, he and Bonet encounter the real saboteur, captured by the Vichy, and aid him in escaping.

Picard falls in love with Marianne (Jean Sullivan), a local girl, and with freedom just ahead for both of them, struggles with his conscience over the fate of the hostages, her trust in him, and his own perception of himself.

Cast

Production

In September 1942 it was announced that Flynn had signed a new contract with Warners for four films a year, one of which he was to also produce.[4] This was the first film produced under Flynn's new contract with Warners which allowed him a say in the choice of vehicle, director and cast, plus a portion of the profits. He formed his own company, Thomson Productions, to make Uncertain Glory and planned to make a series of films with director Raoul Walsh.[5]

Paul Lukas - who had just had a big hit with Watch on the Rhine, was attached in July 1943.[6] Faye Emerson and Jean Sullivan were signed to support.[7]

Principal photography on Uncertain Glory started in August 1943.[8] During filming it was announced Warners would rush release plans on this and Passage to Marseilles, another drama set in occupied France.[9]

Some filming took place in the grape country in Escondido. While shooting there, labor-strapped farm hands insisted the unit had to pick grapes with them before they would allow filming to take place.[10]

Reception

The Washington Post said "Flynn has never given a more restrained, earnest and believable portrayal ... there is guile, sly humour, an appealing bravado, grim rebellion, gentleness, charm, in his drawing of a character that is alternately enigmatic and transparent. Mr Flynn is more of an actor than many have thought."[11]

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Box office results of Raoul Walsh films in France." Box Office Story. Retrieved: January 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ "1951 Box Office Figures in France." Box Office Story. Retrieved: January 26, 2015.
  3. ↑ Film review: "'Uncertain Glory'." Variety; April 5, 1944, p. 14.
  4. ↑ "Of Local Origin." The New York Times, September 30, 1942, p. 29.
  5. ↑ Thomas et al. 1969, p. 136.
  6. ↑ "Screen news here and in Hollywood." The New York Times, July 17, 1943, p. 8.
  7. ↑ DRAMA AND FILM: Wally Beery, Daughter May Do Film Together Constance Moore Will Appear Opposite George Murphy in 'Show Business' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 27 Aug 1943: 12.
  8. ↑ "Film review: 'Uncertain Glory'." Harrison's Reports; April 8, 1944, p. 59.
  9. ↑ DRAMA AND FILM: La Dietrich Will Give 'Three Cheers for Boys' Maureen O'Hara Today's Selection for Leading Femme Role in 'Army Wife' Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 09 Sep 1943: 17.
  10. ↑ ACTORS HAD TO HARVEST CROP Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 23 May 1944: A10.
  11. ↑ "'Uncertain Glory' Is An Able 'Acting Piece'." The Washington Post, June 10, 1944, p. 7.

Bibliography

  • Behlmer, Rudy. Inside Warner Brothers, 1935-51. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1987. ISBN 978-0-2977-9242-0.
  • Thomas, Tony, Rudy Behlmer and Clifford McCarty. The Films of Errol Flynn. New York: Citadel Press, 1969. ISBN 978-0-80650-237-3.
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