This is definitely a minor Wayne film that will only really appeal to the die hard fan.
Reunion in France (1942)
Wealthy socialite Michelle de la Becque is unconcerned about the war and heads to the south of France for a holiday, leaving behind her fiance Robert Cortot. She returns to Paris to find it under the control of the German military with the aid of some influential Frenchmen, including Cortot. Disgusted, she leaves him and finds employment in a clothing store. Walking home one night she chances upon an escaped prisoner of war and is determined to get him safely out of the country.
Make no mistake; this may be part of The John Wayne Film Collection but it is in fact a Joan Crawford vehicle. Wayne doesn’t even make an appearance until forty minutes into the film and even then gets very little to do. He’s not even a convincing love interest for Crawford, as her character is still besotted with Cortot and the film’s half-hearted attempt at that perennial Hollywood favourite, the love triangle, is a wasted effort.
As the spoilt rich bitch who finds herself rubbing shoulders with people she once looked down on, Crawford is rather good. Her character goes through a major life-changing event and she’s equally believable as the pampered aristocrat and the strong-willed woman who risks everything in an attempt to strike a blow against Hitler. She may lack onscreen chemistry with Wayne but she makes up for it with Philip Dorn as Cortot. She gets to play both his lover and enemy, sometimes in the same scene.
Dorn himself has the most unsympathetic role in the film, going from an important position with the French government to being a German toady. He keeps you guessing until the very end about his motivations and the fact the climax works so well is down to his performance throughout the film.
The film is a cheap-looking endeavour, made on studio sets with stock footage used to show the occupation of France. Thus encumbered, director Jules Dassin does a reasonable job, the film's failings down to the story rather than any lack of ability on his part. There really isn’t much excitement to be had and the film works best as a simple love story between Crawford and Dorn with Wayne a mere plot device.
For fans of Duke’s action films this won’t hit the spot. Crawford fans, however, will doubtless find much to enjoy.
Without Reservations (1946)
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