Edge of Darkness (Warner Bros.) (1943)

(Opening Day Story) Flynn -Sheridan Film at Strand Today “Edge Of Darkness,” starring Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan, adapted to the screen from the William Woods novel of the same name, which is scheduled to open at the Strand Theatre today, is the story of a little Norwegian town’s’ unyielding defiance of Nazi domination. The production was directed by Lewis Milestone, the man who brought to the screen the greatest story of World War I, “All Quiet On The Western Front.” Milestone sincerely believes that in “Edge Of Darkness,” he has the fest great film story of the new World War. An Outstanding Cast Given a powerful story and a masterly director, Warner Bros. set out to match it with an outstanding cast. Selecting Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan and Walter Huston from Hollywood, Warner Bros. combed Broadway for the best available talent. The result was a galaxy of New York names rarely seen together in one production. These include Judith Anderson, Ruth Gordon, Charles Dingle, Tonio Selwart, Roman Bohnen, Art Smith, Morris Carnovsky, Helene Thimig, Torben Meyer, Tom Fadden and Francis Pierlot. To these, Warner Bros. added brilliant young Nancy Coleman, seen recently in “Kings Row” and “The Gay Sisters”; Helmut Dantine, lately in “Casablanca”’; John Beal, Monte Blue, Virginia Christine and Dorothy Tree. Milestone has aimed, in this production, at a story that will typify the invincible determination of the “little man” all over the world to live in decency, self-respect and freedom. He chose Norway as a locale to present the picture of Hitler’s hypocritical imposition of “Nordic supremacy” upon the descendants of the fabled Norsemen themselves. The Nazi invader learns, in the little town of Trollness, that the love of peace and of freedom is not weakness but strength. The story makes skillful use of the traditionally stolid Norwegian temperament as a foil for the Nazi Commandant, whipping him up into a mounting frenzy of frustration, as he learns that he cannot whip these simple people into subjugation. The only measure his petty Nazi mentality knows is to add more brutalities, yet it brings the stubborn spirit of resistance not to the breaking point but to the explosion point that destroys him and every other Nazi in Trollness. The rebellion is set off when Sixtus Andresen, played by Morris Carnovsky, the aged and venerated schoolmaster, is beaten and his belongings burned. With the Nazi garrison destroyed, the surviving townspeople take to the hills to carry on guerrilla warfare until the invaders are driven from Norway. The script for “Edge Of Darkness” was prepared by Robert Rossen, one of Hollywood’s ablest script writers. (Lead Story) EDGE OF DARKNESS TALE OF NORWAY, AT STRAND FRIDAY “Edge Of Darkness,” the Warner Bros. film based upon William Woods’ popular ‘novel of the same name, will be the new screen offering at the Strand Theatre, starting Friday for an extended engagement. Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan head one of the most distinguished casts ever assembled in one motion picture. Featured in the supporting cast are Nancy Coleman, talented young player who performed so notably in “Kings Row,” “The Gay Sisters” and others; Walter Huston, whose performance as Jerry Cohen in “Yankee Doodle Dandy” will long be remembered; Judith Anderson and Ruth Gordon, both prominent players of stage and screen. Other important names in the film include John Beal, Charles Dingle, Morris Carnovsky, Roman Bohnen and Helmut Dantine, who scored in “Mrs. Miniver” and “Casablanca.” Brought to life on the screen is this story of a Norwegian fishing village, its simple, peaceloving people, and of the brutal Nazi boot that stamps out freedom wherever it goes. Underground Functions Despite acts of brutality upon the villagers, the underground system functions perfectly. News travels fast; plans are made; meetings are held under the very noses of the watchful Nazis. When the villagers are secretly armed by the Britsh, they wait in readiness for the time to strike. The Nazis give them their opportunity in the particularly brutal assult on the aged village schoolmaster, followed by an order for a mass execution of the ring-leaders in the underground movement. The rebellion is touched off and the village rises en masse against its oppressors. The ensuing battle results in the complete destruction of the little town. Not a Nazi is left alive, and the few remaining natives escape to the hills to join in the ‘guerilla warfare against the invaders. “Edge Of Darkness,” prepar -ed for the screen by Robert Ros sen and produced by Henry Blanke, is the first war story to be directed by Lewis Milestone since he made his epochal “All Quiet On The Western Front.” ‘Edge Of Darkness’ Continues at Strand Because of unprecedented public attendance, the management of the Strand Theatre has announced that “Edge Of Darkness” will be held over for an extended run. The Warner Bros. film, directed by Lewis Milestone, stars Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan, and has a brilliant supporting cast, headed by Walter Huston, Nancy Coleman, Judith Anderson and Ruth Gordon. The story depicts the efforts of a tiny Norwegian fishing village to overthrow the Nazi yoke. “Edge Of Darkness” is based upon the novel of the same name by William Woods. The script was written by Robert Rossen. Flynn, Sheridan Film at Strand Errol Flynn and Ann Sheri “dan are starred in “Edge Of Darkness,” Warner Bros.’ new picture which starts its engagement today at the Strand Theatre. The film, adapted from the recent best-selling novel of the same name, is the story of the Norwegian underground revolt against Nazi oppression. Lewis Milestone, whose “All Quiet On The Western Front” made cinema history, directed the production from the script by Robert Rossen. Besides the stars, the featured cast of “Edge Of Darkness” includes Nancy Coleman, Walter Huston, Judith | Anderson, Ruth Gordon, Helmut Dantine and Tom Fadden. Gunnar Brogge Karen Stensgard Dr. Martin Stensgard Walter Huston Nancy Coleman Tom Fadden Gerd Bjarnesen Capt. Koenig Anna Stensgard Kaspar Torgersen Johann Stensgard Lars Malken Charles Dingle John Beal Helene Thimig Monte Blue Dorothy Tree Richard Fraser Morris Carnovsky Art Smith Henry Brandon Tonio Selwart Torben Meyer Virginia Christine Mortensen) 60k oF e8. OAs es Francis Pierlot : Henry Rowland Kurt Krueger Petersen Solveig Brategaard Pastor Aalesen Knut Osterholm Major Ruck SYNOPSIS (Not for Publication) Trollness, a fishing village in Nazi-occupied Norway, is headed by Nazi Commandant Koenig, a brutal man hated by the people. Trollness is decidedly hard on his nerves. Although there’s no open rebellion by the people, he is continuously beset by a boiling kettle of incidents—a wire is cut, a boat sunk, a shipment of fish spoiled. These acts of sabotage by the villagers do not let up, even under penalty of death. Ringleader in the underground revolt is Gunnar Brogge (Errol Flynn) who, with Karen Stensgard (Ann Sheridan), is. the guiding force among his people. One day, Mrs. Stensgard (Ruth Gordon) reveals that the family’s son, Johann (John Beal) is coming home from Oslo where he is supposed to have turned quisling. Karen denounces her father, Dr. Martin Stensgard (Walter Huston), a man torn by an inner conflict over whether to submit to the Nazis or fight back. Gunnar, Karen and Gerd Bjornesen (Judith Anderson) learn from a British agent the key to the code for smuggling in arms, and one night as they keep watch, the long awaited signal comes. A submarine brings arms ashore and they are secretly distributed among the villagers. Climax of the story comes when Sixtus Andresen (Morris Carnovsky), an aged schoolmaster, is beaten and his belongings turned into a flaming pyre by the Nazis. The re-_ bellion, at fever heat, is set off when Karen is attactxed by a Nazi soldier and, in the ensuing battle, the entire village, including Nazis and townspeople, is wiped out, leaving only Gunnar, Karen and a few others to escape to the hills to continue the guerilla warfare against the Nazis. (Running Time: 120 Minutes) PRODUCTION Directed by LEWIS MILESTONE Produced by Henry Blanke; Screen Play by Robert Rossen; from the Novel by William Woods; ‘Director of Photography, Sid Hickox, A.S.C.; Film Editor, David Weisbart; Art Director, Robert Haas; Sound by Everett A. Brown; Gowns by Orry-Kelly; Makeup Artist, Perc -Westmore; Set Decorations by Julia Heron; Unit Manager, Lou Baum.