But this pre-World War II Hollywood movie is not easy to fit strictly into a genre. It contains elements of comedy, romance and melodrama - there is even a road trip - all sewn together in a story which, like Casablanca, is predicated on people waiting to transition to America. IN fact, despite being some 80 years old, it is still quite timely, being about immigration.
Based on a novel, it was adapted by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, who already had Oscar nominations for Ninochka (1939) since their recent collaboration. And indeed, Wilder was familiar with visa problems himself, having had to wait for a work permit while emigrating from Germany a few years earlier. And it is easy to see how Wilder may have applied his trademark cynical irony in the script.
In fact, you can read about how profoundly Wilder probably felt about applying aspects of his own experience to the script, and how the film was instrumental in his career, by following this link to the program notes:-
Classic Film Club @ SouthBank
Monthly, Second Sunday: 5.30 for 6.00pm screening.
SouthBank Arts Cafe and Bar,
Dean Lane, Southville, Bristol.
Guest Membership £3
