Contemporary Article
49th Parallel (1941)
Picture Show, March 8th, 1941
British Studio News
Edith Mepean
(sp? unsure because it's a printed signature)
Michael Powell is, I suppose, one of the most-discussed
film directors in this country at the moment. (By the way
- before I forget - there is a rumour that he is making
a very topical and secret film which will have world
release. The plot hangs on a wonderful letter written
by one of our magnificent young war heroes who gave his
life for England.) But I want to write about "49th Parallel"
at the moment.
Michael Powell went off to Canada to make this film.
He started in the Rockies with Eric Portman, Richard George,
Raymond Lovell, John Chandos, Niall MacGinnis, Peter
Moore and Basil Appleby. They took the role of Nazis.
Two actresses also braved the Atlantic in war-time. They
appear in the film as air hostesses on the trans-Canadian
flight. They were properly trained in their jobs by
Trans-Canada Airways. They were Carla Lehmann, who recently
played in "Once a Crook" and now has a leading part in
"Cottage to Let", and lovely Tamara Desni. Then there
was also Finlay Currie, who plays the Hudson Bay factor.
"It was a long and tough trip at a difficult time,"
Michael Powell told me. "The conduct of everyone from first
to last was extremely praiseworthy. The Hudson Bay trip
in a freighter, with temporary quarters in the hold,
was particularly exacting to minds and bodies."
Now I want you to know what Michael Powell told me about
Elisabeth Bergner, whom you may know is no longer in
the cast of this film. It was at her request that she
should play in the prarie sequence. She did not leave
this country expressly to make this film. She and her
husband, Dr. Czinner, were already leaving to discuss
certain projects in America. But on arrival in Canada to
do exteriors disagreements arose and they became more
serious after Bergner reached Hollywood. And so, in
these circumstances, Michael Powell went on to relate,
"We decided to recast for the part. We rewrote it for
Glynis Johns, and we feel that the picture has gained
in youthful English charm and excellence whatever it
may have lost in star value."
In "49th Parallel" Anton Walbrook plays the leader of
the foreign settlers in the prarie sequences with Glynis
Johns. Leslie Howard plays the English-speaking
Canadian Philip Armstrong Smith [sic] - the part was
written for him. Laurence Olivier is to play Johnnie,
the French-Canadian. He is ideal for the part of a
young volatile trapper who meets a tragic end. Raymond
Massey has completed his part of the Southern Ontario
farmer turned soldier. It is a wonderful part; the first
time he has ever played one of his own people on the
screen. He loved doing it and it is the performance
of his life.
Music plays an important part in this film, and
there is romance and patriotism which should make it
a really worth-while picture.
Notes:
1. Carla Lehmann & "lovely Tamara Desni" didn't make it
into the final cut. The whole section with the Trans-Canada Airways
flight was dropped.
2. Leslie Howard played Philip Armstrong Scott
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