Hold Back the Dawn

Hold Back the Dawn is a 1941 American romantic drama movie directed by Mitchell Leisen and was based on the 1940 novel of the same name by Ketti Frings. It stars Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland, Paulette Goddard, Victor Francen, Walter Abel, Curt Bois, Eva Puig and was distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was nominated for 6 Academy Awards in 1942.

Plot

Georges Iscovescu, a Romanian gigolo in a Mexican border town, plans to enter the US by marrying American school teacher Emmy Brown during her brief visit, thus bypassing a lengthy immigration wait. After quickly wooing and marrying her, his genuine feelings for Emmy develop during a trip, but his con is revealed by a jealous former partner, Anita, causing Emmy to leave heartbroken. When Georges learns of Emmy's subsequent car accident due to distress, he risks his visa status to be with her. Chased by Immigration inspector Hammock, Georges tries selling his story for Emmy's medical bills. Ultimately, Hammock allows Georges entry into the US where he reunites with a recovering Emmy.

Other websites

• Hold Back the Dawn on IMDb
• Hold Back the Dawn at AllMovie
• Hold Back the Dawn at the TCM Movie Database
• Hold Back the Dawn at the American Film Institute Catalog