Paris-Subterrâneo

Paris Underground is the US title for the British film originally titled Madame Pimpernel. Hollywood distributors were pretty savvy about advertising and marketing these types of films, and thought that Madame Pimpernel was a bit too obscure for the vast majority of American film viewers. They were most likely right on the money. Both Constance Bennett and Gracie Fields give outstanding performances in a film basically carried by two leading female characters; a real rarity in film, and almost a non-existent rarity in Hollywood. That is why Bennett had the film produced in England; a very wise move.

The story of two women in Paris in the early days of Paris occupation by the Germans is quite a compelling story. One marvels at the dramatic effectiveness of Gracie FIelds, who would become much better known for her teaming with George Burns for classic US television comedy. FIelds carries off the dramatic role without missing a beat. Bennett is also very effective. George Rigaud does a competent job as the French husband of Fields in Paris, as his wife begins a series of underground adventures, rescuing over 200 fallen airmen, one at a time, over a period of years, until the American liberation of Paris. Although the film has a few stops and starts, and the conclusion occurs faster than a German blitzkrieg, the main body of the film is very entertaining and is very solid. Don't miss it.