Brackett-Wilder script, Mitchell Leisen direction, superb Paramount production values. Ray Milland is a flyer based on Harold Dahl imprisoned in fascist Spain, Colbert is a journo based on Martha Gellhorn who helps him escape.
Romance and squabbles ensue with subtext about America waking up from isolationism. Cobert and Milland have the charisma to put this over.
The first act/sequence is screwball romantic comedy. It slows down in Paris where it's just banter and less life and death: this bit feels as though it needs a third party to pursue Milland or Colbert, or a baddy. Like to see George Zucco's fascist again or something. We do have Walter Abel's editor but he's not really into Colbert he just does some Front Page schtick. But the last section is brilliant when the war comes in, the film gets more serious and it tackles big issues.
Very romantic, sensitive. Leisen did well by Wilder and Brackett even if he annoyed them.
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