The original fairy tale was based on the disappearance of the children of the Dutch - not German - village of Hamelin. Although at the time they were thought to have vanished magically, it is now believed that the children left to join one of the Children's Crusades and were taken into slavery.
The film was released just 7 months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Nevil Shute's original novel was a huge best seller at the time of its release, as the world grew to accept that it was at war again.
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on August 16, 1943 with Monty Woolley and Roddy McDowall reprising their film roles.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on
December 21, 1942 with Roddy McDowall and Anne Baxter reprising their film roles.