Warsaw Concerto

From the movie Dangerous Moonlight (1941). A stunning American reporter meets a Polish Air force officer amid the newly bombed ruins of Warsaw at the outbreak of WWII. He is a concert pianist and in this clip is in the process of composing, what will be by the end of the movie, the "Warsaw Concerto". Not a real Concerto - just a Pastiche in the Rachmaninoff style -- written specially for the movie by Richard Addinsell.

Walbrook does a poor job of faking playing the piano which on the soundtrack was actually played by un-credited Louis Kentner.

This is a cute scene where the bombing of Warsaw at the outbreak of WWII forms a somber backdrop to a beautiful piece of music.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Warsaw
• Concerto
• Dangerous
• Moonlight
• Richard
• Addinsell
• Suicide
• Squadron
• Anton
• Wallbrook
• Sally
• Gray

[BytomGirl]

If the set (Warsaw) is fake than they did a good job of faking it. Do you know where they actually filmed that scene?

[snoozzz]

The movie was made in 1941 but Warsaw fell in 1939 (September). Therefore it must have been a set - probably at Elstrees Studio in London. However I appreciate the comment. I never realized that the set was meant to actually simulate the real Warsaw3 of that time

[guggle86]

Aw shucks GuinnevereB that's what we said when we saw the clip - now of course i want the full movie.

[snoozzz]

Trust me, the rest of the movie isn't this good. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, they get married, they argue, he tries to get himslef killed (almost suceeds), suffers amnesia, recovers just as she returns and he remembers how to play the piano. Music swells - Curtain!  lol

[twittykins]

For anyone living in the UK, Dangerous Moonlight (1941) will be on BBC 2 at 10:20am on the 30/12/2008.

[snoozzz]

TIVO or DVR anybody?

[helmsdeep84]

Smoking, playing the Warsaw concerto with no effort while talking to a beautiful woman....hahaha...you've got to love old movies, we don't see this kind now a days...lol

[dukeofharuson]

Hmnnn. I just happen to have a copy! My father was one of the actors and my grandfather administered the free Polish Squadrons attached to the RAF during the war (on account of our Polish lineage). Drop me a private email if you are interested.

[baghend]

@snoozzz gee- compared to so much of the crap that passes for film today (not all, mind you) this is brilliant- wonderful story, memorable music, decent acting, all against a background of the most horrific struggle the world has ever seen.

Still a classic to me.

There were other stories, other dramas and tragedies , and other hero's and villains- and, unlike the States, most of Europe was devastated.

Do we ever learn?

-Bill

[baghend]

@snoozzz Still, pretty entertaining stuff, given the time.

try not to be too jaded- just look at what passes for entertainment today.

And we can always enjoy beautiful music.

-Bill in Canada

[crazypianolady]

@mazzymuso Although I don't get why he couldn't have mimed the piano better because it's so obvious!

[crazypianolady]

@mazzymuso Yeah I read that too. He has such a wonderful accent!

[mazzymuso]

Apparently Walbrook could play the piano but not well enough to cope with playing such a complicated piece, whilst speaking English, which he was still learning ( having recently escaped from the Nazis himself as an Austrian Jew).

[riversidefan2]

Cant send a link, can you send me your email address and I'll send u the link.

[GlennLT1824]

@riversidefan2 I've looked on Amazon.com under both Dangerous Moonlight and Suicide Squadron and both of those go to one link and it is the right movie and they are "currently unavailable" through amazon.com. i'm located in Massachusetts. if you would be so kind as to indicate where you see 11 copies availabe, i'll happily go there myself. thank you. glenn

[riversidefan2]

@GlennLT1824 Be sure are looking up the correct title. Where are you located, currently I see 11 copies of the film called "Dangerous Moonlight", that is the 1941 British film that introduces the "Warsaw Concerto". In Britain it is called "Suicide Squadron", but I don't see it listed under that title on Amazon. Hope this helps.

[GlennLT1824]

@riversidefan2 I know two years have gone by since you posted this, but if you still have a copy available, i'd also be willing to pay shipping. i play the solo version (piano) and would LOVE to see the whole film. it's NOT available on Amazon currently. Thanks. glenn

[VIRIATO1942]

Great movie and, of course, the musical theme is outstanding.

There is something about war movies with great musical themes that enchants me.

The great German movie "Das Boot" ( The U-Boat) with the french song "J'Attendrai" .

I lalso love it interpreted by the great Tino Rossi, here in U-Tube.