Then the young Resistance fighter tells the escaped POWs that the Americans had landed in North Africa a few days previously, that date would be 8 November 1942. France surrendered to the Germans on 22 June 1940. So, Paul and Victor had spent about two years and four-and-one-half months as POWs.
The triangle patches seen on the prisoners' uniforms are correctly shown with the point up, and they were red in color. This indicated they were a military prisoner of war (POW). Triangle markings for civilians in concentration camps were inverted with the point down and were different colors depending on their offense or status.
The Cross of Lorraine (1943) was only Gene Kelly's fifth film - and his third in a row (following the star-studded Thousands Cheer (1943) and the Pacific theater Pilot #5 (1943) with a wartime setting. It was also one of Kelly's better non-musical, dramatic roles. Of his performance, Kelly remarked, "I thought I did quite well in the first half. But missed towards the end. I had several close-ups which just weren't registering what I wanted them to." Nonetheless, Kelly gave the experience of making the film high marks, commenting, "it was fun doing the picture. I didn't have to wear any make-up, nor did I bother about shaving. And it was a great pleasure to be able to get dirty without having the wardrobe department jump down your throat."
Another Tay Garnett story had him and Cedric Hardwicke on their way to the commissary for lunch. Hardwicke was still in full priest attire. They came across Tommy Dorsey and his band rehearsing for Girl Crazy (1943) and stopped to listen. After a few minutes, Hardwicke turned abruptly to leave, as they only had an hour lunch break and plowed right into Greer Garson who was hurrying by. Garson apparently thought she had nearly taken out a real priest and offered up an "I'm so sorry father." According to Garnett, Hardwicke reacted "deadpan [and] blessed Miss Garson with the sign of the cross, then...executed a slow sensuous grind ending in a violent bump. In his priest costume, it was outrageous." Garson's reaction was momentary horror until she recognized Hardwicke. The incident remained a running joke between the actors; Hardwicke always greeted Garson with "bless you my daughter."
This film failed at the box office, resulting in a loss to MGM of $179,000 according to studio records.