Main Cast: Monty Woolley, Anne Baxter, Roddy McDowall, Otto Preminger, Peggy Ann Garner, J. Carrol Naish
Release Year: 1942
Country: US
Run Time: 86 minutes
Plot
Monty Woolley plays an irascible Englishman who insists that he dislikes children. While on a vacation in France, the Nazis invade the country. Reluctantly, Woolley agrees to transport several French children into England. As the flight to freedom becomes more treacherous, Woolley grows fonder of his young charges and vows that they'll be kept safe. The group is detained by German officer Otto Preminger, who finally allows Woolley and the children safe passage--provided they take Preminger's niece to England as well. Pied Piper was based on a novel by British author Nevil Shute. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Lester Matthews - Mr. Cavanaugh; Jill Esmond - Mrs.Cavanaugh; Ferike Boros - Madame; Merrill Rodin - Willem; Maurice R. Tauzin - Pierre; Ficurette Zama - Rose; William Edmunds - Frenchman; Marcel Dalio - Foquet; Edward Ashley - Charendon; Morton Lowry - Roger Dickinson; Marcelle Corday - Madame Bonne; Odette Myrtil - Mme. Rougeron; Robert O. Davis - Lieutenant; Henry Rowland - Military Policeman; Helmut Dantine - Aide; George Davis - Barman; Wilson Benge - Waiter; Adrienne D'Ambricourt - Servant; Jean de Briac - Fisherman; Jean del Val - Railroad Official; Henry Guttman - German Soldier; Brandon Hurst - Majordomo; Thomas Louden - Medford; Otto Reichow; Hans Von Morhart; Hans Heinrich Von Twardowski - Sergeant; William Yetter, Jr. - Officer at Road; Ernst Hausman - Soldier
This is the best single-CD compilation of Bunny Berigan recordings issued to date. Although all of the trumpeter's big-band sides for Bluebird have come out on three double LPs, this set gives more general collectors a better overview of his talents. One of the top trumpeters active during the 1935-1939 period (only Louis Armstrong and the up-and-coming Roy Eldridge were on his level), Berigan was largely responsible for the success of important hit records for Benny Goodman ("King Porter Stomp" and "Sometimes I'm Happy") and Tommy Dorsey ("Marie" and "Song of India"), in addition to having a best-seller of his own ("I Can't Get Started"). Unfortunately, Berigan's alcoholism eventually did him in, but this CD has all of the hits, plus appearances with Gene Gifford's Orchestra (a majestic solo on "Nothin' but the Blues"), Frankie Trumbauer, jamming with Fats Waller, and with the Metronome All-Stars, plus more titles as a leader, with BG, and with Dorsey (including a radio broadcast version of "I've Found a New Baby" from 1940). This is a well-conceived reissue of important and often exciting swing by one of the greats. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
