Hold Back the Dawn (1941)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(418 ratings)

Hold Back the Dawn begins with a shabby immigrant (Charles Boyer) wandering onto a Paramount sound stage and telling his life story to director Mitchell Leisen (who actually directed this film). In flashback, we see that Boyer was once a conscienceless gigolo, desperate to flee Nazi-occupied Europe.… More Hold Back the Dawn begins with a shabby immigrant (Charles Boyer) wandering onto a Paramount sound stage and telling his life story to director Mitchell Leisen (who actually directed this film). In flashback, we see that Boyer was once a conscienceless gigolo, desperate to flee Nazi-occupied Europe. He makes it to Mexico, where he pretends to fall in love with shy schoolteacher Olivia de Havilland. It is his plan to marry her, thus be able to enter the United States; then he intends to dump her and pursue the woman he really loves. Boyer's regeneration, and the price he pays for his previous callousness, brings Hold Back the Dawn to its tearful conclusion. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Mitchell Leisen
Written By: Ketti Frings, Charles Brackett
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 26, 1941 Wide

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
You will enjoy it as a straight-away romance, crowded with most engaging characters and smoking with Mr. Boyer's charm.
Variety Staff, Variety
While Hold Back the Dawn is basically another European refugee yarn, scenarists Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder exercised some ingenuity and imagination and Ketty Frings' original emerges as fine celluloidia.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
This romantic weepie is both moving and effectively stylish.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A touching and memorable film, this brilliant romance offers evocative performances by Boyer and de Havilland.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Billy Wilder co-wrote but didn't direct this Oscar-nominated border drama, starring Charles Boyer and Olivia de Havilland.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

Charles Boyer is very good in this moving melodrama. I think he gets overlooked as an actor sometimes. Nice to see Olivia de Havilland sans hoop dress. Worth tracking down, TCM shows occasionally.
Stella D

a superior melodrama way under the radar. charles boyer is highly effective as a gigolo hoping to enter the u.s. by marrying a citizen. enter innocent schoolteacher olivia de havilland. paulette godard is fun as boyer's partner in crime, but their cynical plans soon go awry.… More
a superior melodrama way under the radar. charles boyer is highly effective as a gigolo hoping to enter the u.s. by marrying a citizen. enter innocent schoolteacher olivia de havilland. paulette godard is fun as boyer's partner in crime, but their cynical plans soon go awry. most of the film takes place in mexico with lots of local color

Cast

            Charles Boyer as Georges Iscovescu

            Olivia de Havilland as Emmy Brown

            Paulette Goddard as Anita Dixon

            Victor Francen as Prof. Van Den Luecken

            Walter Abel as Inspector Hammock

            Rosemary De Camp as Berta Kurz

            Curt Bois as Anatole Bonbois

            Nestor Paiva as Flores

            Eric Feldary as Joseph Kurz

            Micheline Cheirel as Christine Van Den Luecken

            Madeleine Le Beau as Annie

            Billy Lee as Tony

            Sonny Boy Williams as Sam

            Edward Fielding as American Consul

            Gertrude Astor as Young Woman at Climax Bar

            Donald Douglas as Joe

            Chester Clute as Man

            Jesus Topete as Second mechanic

            Tony Roux as Third mechanic

            Francisco Maran as Mexican doctor

            Carlos Villarías as Mexican judge

            Arthur Loft as Mr. Elvestad

            John Holland as Mr. MacAdams

            June Pickrell as Mrs. Brown

            Buddy Messinger as Elevator Boy

            George Anderson as Emmy's doctor

            Charles Arnt as Mr. MacAdams

            Leon Belasco as Mr. Spitzer

            Brian Donlevy as Movie actor

            Soledad Jiminez as Old Peon's Wife

            Veronica Lake as Movie actress

            Ray Mala as Husky Young Mexican Bridegroom

            Ella Neal as Bride

            Eva Puig as Lupita

            Mikhail Rasumny as Mechanic

            Richard Webb as Movie actor

            June Wilkins as Vivienne Worthington

            Mitchell Leisen as Mr. Saxon
See full cast