mark.waltz Three years after Joan Crawford walked through an approaching crowd as the Nazis entered Paris (with her hair unmussed), veteran actress Constance Bennett took on the invading fifth columnists in order to help stranded English soldiers get out of the country safely. Aiding her in this is veteran English actress/music hall performer Gracie Fields who doesn't get to be comical here as she was in earlier films. The film really gets exciting during one moment when Bennett hides a soldier in the trunk of her car and deals with Nazi soldiers who help her change her tires. With suspicious landlady Eily Maylon supposedly reporting her activities to the Nazi's, Bennett is soon being watched, and this leads to an exciting confrontation where everybody in the complex is threatened with torture and death unless the members of the underground give themselves up. Unfortunately, the film doesn't represent reality well in the conclusion which goes for the traditional Hollywood happy ending rather than what probably would have happened in a real life situation.Made towards the end of the war, this pretty much seems to have lost its impact simply out of a "been there, done that" sort of feeling. Of course, there's the typical propaganda and a few moments of grave tension which are hand-gripping moments of true fear. Ms. Bennett was the film's producer which gives a good indication of why in her 40's she looks totally glamorous throughout. It's still entertaining, but one of those films on a much made topic that seems standard when compared to such classics as "The Mortal Storm", "Underground" and "Edge of Darkness".

deschreiber I pretty much agree with the lukewarm review here entitled "Mediocre war heroine tale." This is far from a "gem," as some people would have it.The plot keeps moving and is mildly interesting, although without finger-biting suspense. We know pretty well how each situation will turn out, the romance, the hair's-breadth escapes, and so on. As the end approaches there is a little surprise, but it's all fixed up within minutes as victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat and medals are pinned on the heroines. Ho-hum. I barely kept myself from turning off the television.Outdoor scenes are all shot in studio and look very fake. The foggy night scene in the fields--puleeze! The music has moments when it goes over the top.Although the movie is set in France, French characters are insignificant, while the American and English ladies are large, ultimately heroic presences. It's certainly a narrow, nationalistic vision of "Paris underground." I did find it refreshing to see a movie, especially one focused on the conflicts of war, in which the lead characters are female.Don't get excited about seeing this. Don't set aside important time for it. But if you run into it accidentally, you probably won't think it's a total waste of time.I believe this film was also released with the title "Madame Pimpernel."

blanche-2 I happen to be a fan of Constance Bennett's, and also an admirer - she was not only a fine actress and a beautiful, glamorous woman, but a crackerjack businesswoman and someone who worked hard for the war effort.Having hit 40, Bennett was no longer in demand for leads; in fact, in Two-Faced Woman, she'd had a supporting role. "Paris Underground" is a film she produced herself in England, and it's very good. It's the story of the American wife, Kitty de Mornay (Bennett) of a Frenchman (George Rigaud) who is swept into the Resistance when she's asked to help get an English flier back to London. The work excites and intrigues her so much, she decides not to leave France and instead, continues helping fliers escape. She is assisted in this by a nervous friend (Gracie Fields).I found this a suspenseful and interesting film, and although it wasn't shot in France, some of the sets, like the baker's, were quite good. The performances are excellent. Rigaud as Kitty's husband is suave and likable; Kurt Krueger is excellent as a German officer who takes an interest in Kitty, and Gracie Fields, in her last role, though she lived until 1979, is wonderful as Kitty's friend.This is a little known gem, and I thought it was well done.

maksquibs In a late example of a fading Hollywood star going to England for a career boost, delectable Constance Bennett plays a madcap, irresponsible Yankee stuck in occupied France. She's uses her glam appeal to aid the resistance & help Allied troops escape with the help of co-hort Gracie Fields, the Brit Music Hall star in her final screen perf. The whole unlikely enterprise is done with reasonable flair under surprisingly lively direction from Gregory Ratoff and stellar lighting from lenser Lee Garmes. Too bad no one was able to turn the corner for the last act when the film tries for a darker, more serious tone, but it's well worth a gander. As is the still jolie Mme Bennett.