Mr. Emmanuel
Encyclopedia
Mr Emmanuel is a British film directed by Harold French
, based on a 1938 novel by Louis Golding, who adapted the novel for the screen.
, is much taken with the story of Bruno, a young Jewish boy who has just arrived as a refugee
from Germany and is attending an English school.
Himself a former refugee, Mr Emmanuel's sympathies are aroused for Bruno, who has not heard from his Mother and doesn't know where she is. Somewhat naively, he decides to travel to Germany to find her.
Emmanuel puts up at a boarding-house and starts asking questions, but everyone is too scared to give him information. The authorities are equally unhelpful. Eventually, they decide that, despite his innocent appearance and British passport
, he may well be a spy
, and arrest him. Mr Emmanuel sees fellow prisoners tortured and led off to certain execution.
He is eventually released, but instead of leaving the country, he continues to search for Bruno's Mother. He eventually finds her, but she is now married to a prominent Nazi and denies that she is Jewish or that she has a son.
Sadly, Mr Emmanuel returns to Britain and tells Bruno that he was unable to find his Mother.
Harold French
Harold French was an English director and actor of stage and screen. As an actor most of his roles occurred between 1912 and 1936. He did not garner as much attention as an actor as he would as a director. From 1940 to 1955 he had a several solid box-office successes...
, based on a 1938 novel by Louis Golding, who adapted the novel for the screen.
Plot synopsis
Mr Emmanuel, an elderly employee of a Jewish welfare agency in pre-WW2 LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, is much taken with the story of Bruno, a young Jewish boy who has just arrived as a refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
from Germany and is attending an English school.
Himself a former refugee, Mr Emmanuel's sympathies are aroused for Bruno, who has not heard from his Mother and doesn't know where she is. Somewhat naively, he decides to travel to Germany to find her.
Emmanuel puts up at a boarding-house and starts asking questions, but everyone is too scared to give him information. The authorities are equally unhelpful. Eventually, they decide that, despite his innocent appearance and British passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
, he may well be a spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
, and arrest him. Mr Emmanuel sees fellow prisoners tortured and led off to certain execution.
He is eventually released, but instead of leaving the country, he continues to search for Bruno's Mother. He eventually finds her, but she is now married to a prominent Nazi and denies that she is Jewish or that she has a son.
Sadly, Mr Emmanuel returns to Britain and tells Bruno that he was unable to find his Mother.
Cast
- Felix AylmerFelix AylmerSir Felix Edward Aylmer Jones, OBE was an English stage actor who also appeared in the cinema and on television.-Early life and career:...
- Mr Emmanuel - Peter Mullins - Bruno
- Greta GyntGreta GyntGreta Gynt , born Margrethe Woxholt, was a Norwegian singer, dancer and actress. -Biography:Greta Gynt was born Margrethe Woxholt in Oslo, Norway. As a child, she came with her parents to England and started dancing lessons at the age of 5. Eventually, they moved back to Norway...
- Elsie Silver - Walter RillaWalter RillaWalter Rilla was a German film actor. He appeared in over 130 films between 1922 and 1977. He was born in Neunkirchen, Germany and died in Rosenheim, Germany.-Selected filmography:...
- Willi Brockenburg - Ursula JeansUrsula JeansUrsula Jean McMinn was a British actress on film, stage, and television.Ursula Jeans was born in Shimla, British India, to British parents, and brought up and educated in London. She was the youngest of three siblings...
- Frau Heinkes - Friedrich RichterFriedrich RichterFriedrich-Wilhelm Heinrich Richter was a Sturmbannführer in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War...
- Herr Heinkes - Elspeth MarchElspeth March-Early years:She was born as Jean Elspeth Mackenzie in Kensington, London, England, the daughter of Harry Malcolm and Elfreda Mackenzie.-Career & marriage:...
- Mrs. Cooper - Myer Tzelnicker - Sam Silver
- Helen Misener - Mrs Silver
- Louis de WohlLouis de WohlLouis de Wohl, earlier Ludwig von Wohl was a German-British Catholic author, and an astrologer notable for his work with MI5 during World War II. Sixteen of his popular pre-war novels were the basis of movies...
- Herman Goering