In Our Time (1944 film)
Encyclopedia
In Our Time is a 1944
romantic drama film set in the days leading up to World War II
. It stars Ida Lupino
and Paul Henreid.
) and her assistant Jennifer "Jenny" Whittredge (Ida Lupino) travel through Poland making purchases. In Warsaw, Jenny meets Count Stephan Orwid (Paul Henreid) and, after a whirlwind courtship, he asks her to marry him.
However, Stephan's aristocratic family is less than welcoming to the English commoner, particularly his sister Janina (Nancy Coleman
) and his wealthy, diplomat uncle Count Pawel Orwid (Victor Francen
). His mother Zofia (Alla Nazimova
) merely wants to keep peace in the family. Only his other uncle, ineffectual Leopold Baruta (Michael Chekhov
), welcomes her. Nonetheless, the wedding takes place.
Afterwards, Jenny encourages Stephan to break his family's dependence on Count Pawel's financial aid by persuading his peasant tenants to adopt more modern and efficient farming methods. It works; the harvest is bountiful, and Stephan accepts Jenny's suggestion that they invite the workers to a celebration party in his mansion. Count Pawel makes a surprise visit to express his strong disapproval of Jenny's democratic ideas. However, they are interrupted by the bombing of nearby Warsaw
. War has broken out, despite Count Pawel's desperate attempts to placate Nazi Germany
.
Stephan joins his cavalry regiment, leaving Jenny to supervise the rest of the harvest. Days go by with conflicting radio reports. Finally, a dazed, wounded Stephan returns to the estate. His regiment was wiped out after charging German tanks. He gathers the peasants and asks them to burn the crop and anything else that could be of use to the invaders. They patriotically agree. Count Pawel shows up to take the family out of the country to France. Stephan, Jenny, and Leopold remain behind to fight.
1944 in film
The year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, award-winning Going My Way plus popular murder mysteries such as Double Indemnity, Gaslight and Laura.-Events:*July 20 - Since You Went Away is released....
romantic drama film set in the days leading up to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It stars Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino was an English-born film actress and director, and a pioneer among women filmmakers. In her 48-year career, she appeared in 59 films and directed seven others, mostly in the United States. She appeared in serial television programmes 58 times and directed 50 other episodes...
and Paul Henreid.
Plot
In March 1939, antiques dealer Mrs. Bromley (Mary BolandMary Boland
-Career:Born Marie Anne Boland in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of William Boland, an actor, and his wife Mary Cecilia Hatton. She had an older sister named Sara....
) and her assistant Jennifer "Jenny" Whittredge (Ida Lupino) travel through Poland making purchases. In Warsaw, Jenny meets Count Stephan Orwid (Paul Henreid) and, after a whirlwind courtship, he asks her to marry him.
However, Stephan's aristocratic family is less than welcoming to the English commoner, particularly his sister Janina (Nancy Coleman
Nancy Coleman
Nancy Coleman was an American film, television and radio actress. After working on radio and appearing on the Broadway stage, Nancy Coleman was brought to Hollywood to work for Warner Bros. studios...
) and his wealthy, diplomat uncle Count Pawel Orwid (Victor Francen
Victor Francen
Victor Francen , born Victor Franssens, was a Belgian-born actor with a long career in French cinema and in Hollywood....
). His mother Zofia (Alla Nazimova
Alla Nazimova
Alla Nazimova , was a Russian American film and theatre actress, a screenwriter and film producer. She is perhaps best known as simply Nazimova, but also went under the name Alia Nasimoff.-Early life:...
) merely wants to keep peace in the family. Only his other uncle, ineffectual Leopold Baruta (Michael Chekhov
Michael Chekhov
Michael Chekhov was a Russian-American actor, director, author, and theatre practitioner. His acting technique has been used by actors such as Clint Eastwood, Marilyn Monroe, Yul Brynner, and Robert Stack. Constantin Stanislavski referred to him as his most brilliant student...
), welcomes her. Nonetheless, the wedding takes place.
Afterwards, Jenny encourages Stephan to break his family's dependence on Count Pawel's financial aid by persuading his peasant tenants to adopt more modern and efficient farming methods. It works; the harvest is bountiful, and Stephan accepts Jenny's suggestion that they invite the workers to a celebration party in his mansion. Count Pawel makes a surprise visit to express his strong disapproval of Jenny's democratic ideas. However, they are interrupted by the bombing of nearby Warsaw
Bombing of Warsaw in World War II
The Bombing of Warsaw in World War II refers both to the Strategic bombing campaign of Warsaw by the Luftwaffe during the siege of Warsaw in the Invasion of Poland in 1939 and to the German bombing raids during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944....
. War has broken out, despite Count Pawel's desperate attempts to placate Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
.
Stephan joins his cavalry regiment, leaving Jenny to supervise the rest of the harvest. Days go by with conflicting radio reports. Finally, a dazed, wounded Stephan returns to the estate. His regiment was wiped out after charging German tanks. He gathers the peasants and asks them to burn the crop and anything else that could be of use to the invaders. They patriotically agree. Count Pawel shows up to take the family out of the country to France. Stephan, Jenny, and Leopold remain behind to fight.