The Red Danube (1949)

In post WWII Vienna, Russian refugees in the British zone are being repatriated back to the Soviet Union ... even if they don't want to go. A British Colonel (Walter Pidgeon) is in charge of the repatriation but a dilemma develops when one of his aides (Peter Lawford) falls in love with one of the refugees (Janet Leigh). Though set in the same milieu as the same year's THE THIRD MAN, this is a very different kettle of fish. The film is clearly anti-Soviet (this was the beginning of "red scare" movies in Hollywood) and pro-Christian propaganda. That being said, it's quite compelling and strongly acted except for Lawford who's hopeless. While parts of the film are obvious and telegraphed (when one character is introduced, he practically has "I'm going to commit suicide in the next scene" tattooed on his forehead), a lot of it is quite brutal and unsentimental although the sappy use of Row Row Your Boat Gently Down The Stream is cringe inducing. It's an authentic looking film however, the art direction received an Oscar nomination. Directed by George Sidney (who replaced Victor Saville) with a strong underscore by Miklos Rozsa. With Ethel Barrymore, Angela Lansbury, Louis Calhern, Melville Cooper, Francis L. Sullivan, Robert Coote, Alan Napier, Argentina Brunetti and two touching performances by Konstantin Shayne and Tamara Shayne that stay with you.