Review of The Moon Is Down

We're shown two things right from the beginning. First, that the Nazi's are invading Norway, expecting total cooperation... and...also that the citizens of the small berg where they land have no intention of cooperating. Cedric Hardwicke does a convincing job as the German commander leading the charge, in spite of his British accent. Henry Travers (Clarence, from Wonderful Life !) is the town mayor, and knows his people better than than the soldiers. They say a couple times that the people of Norway have known only peace for so long that they have become complacent, and ignorant of war tactics. SO much talking. "Moon" feels more like a play than a novel by Steinbeck. Very different from his other works. The mayor and the German commander spend much of the film having quiet, peaceful debates over serious issues. Quite well done. Some other big names in here. van Eyck plays the German Lieutenant, who is a little too simple to be believed; he tries to make friends with the townspeople, but professes surprise when they don't return the friendship. Lee Cobb is the town doctor. It DOES have some hallmarks of a Steinbeck novel -- plain, down to earth, gritty citizens, showing their daily battles and tribulations. Direction and screenplay by Irvin Pichel. He did this right around mid-career... he had been making films for ten years, and would continue to do so for another ten years. Good stuff. Hadn't seen this one before. Simple but poignant WW II story.