Lily Marlène

It's unlikely Fassbinder ever saw this equally fanciful narrative constructed around the popular song and it's enormous popularity on both sides of WWII. But it's the one that comes closest to his glossy retread of the original combining regular performances of the song with Nazis; including Walter Gotell as Goebbels, who wants to claim her for the Fatherland.

'Stinker' Murdoch plays himself, as does silent star Estelle Brody, briefly heard at one point singing WWI favourite 'Mademoiselle from Armentieres'.

Lisa Daniely is quite engaging as the eponymous character in this post-war homage to the sweethearts whose songs lifted many an heart during the hardships of WWII. She is working in a small North African bar that finds itself controlled by the British, the Nazis, then the British again - with both sides aware that she is the source of the legendary song, and with both equally aware of her enormous propaganda value. Amidst all this toing and froing, she meets and gradually falls for "Steve" (Hugh McDermott) before being recaptured by the Nazis and taken to Berlin where she is encouraged to make broadcasts in English to smash morale. Nobody will sing this song like Marlene Dietrich, but Daniely makes a decent fist of her frequent renditions - in English and German - and her porcelain-like features and delicacy of performance engender a sense of her vulnerability as she is but a pawn in a dangerous game. McDermott could never be described as versatile and it's all grin and smart-assed quips from him here too. The production has been nowhere near a desert, but as wartime feel good films go this is at the more entertaining end with just enough menace from some nasty Nazis to remind you that it could all have been true!

Unfortunately this isn't one of the best of British war films although it has some interesting elements, including early appearances of actors who would ultimately become stars at home and internationally. Stanley Baker shone brightly but briefly and Walter Gotell and Russell Hunter both would have long careers on both TV and film.

Established character actors Lesley Dwyer ( who always added to the films he was in), Ben Williams and John Blythe (a more recent addition to the register of good character actors) did their jobs. Richard (Stinker) Murdoch was already a star of stage, radio and early TV, prior to the war and essentially played himself. Hugh McDermott playing the male lead, already had years of experience in mostly 'bit' parts but wasn't at his best in this film.

The film was hampered by the poor sets and pretty poor script. A shame as the premise had some promise.

The film was dated by 1951. It is great as a propaganda film for the war but for the post war period it is out of date. However Stinker Murdoch adds a bright touch for those who collect comedic performances. Overly sentimental and jingoistic with stero typical performances representing all areas of the UK and 'ze Germans'.

I had been looking for this somewhat obscure little movie because it is an early film of Stanley Baker.

The picture is set in North Africa before El Alamein when the British and German armies moved backwards and forwards across the same territory on several occasions. The story is partially narrated by an American radio man who keeps the story moving.

Stanley Baker has a small part playing a Welshman....surprise! Anyway when the Germans retake the "pub" in which so much of the action takes place they find on interrogating the staff that the daughter of the house is called Lilly Marlene and is none other than the original on whom the song is based.

This seems like a big coup for the Nazis until they find she is a very patriotic Frenchwoman who refuses to sing the song in German until her parents are threatened.

Well the Brits retake the place and Lilly is momentarily saved but there are still hidden dangers. The movie unspools in a predictable fashion and before the end we are treated to a couple of Vera Lynn songs (not sung by her).

The movie is available on an NTSC VHS.