The first was a cracking early Wilder / Brackett screenplay (credited as from a story by Ketti Frings, though Brackett's diary revealed they hadn't used it and were angry; she also wrote the screenplay to The File on Thelma Jordan) - in fact it was as a result of Leisen and Boyer's treatment of Wilder's material that pushed him into becoming a director.
Mexico. Charles Boyer callously marries schoolteacher Olivia de Havilland to gain entry to the US, where he can continue 'dancing' with Paulette Goddard. The enclave of hopeful refugees is perhaps inspired by Wilder's time in Paris with a similar assortment of internationals (fugitives from the Nazis). I didn't know any of these actors, though Victor Francen was in dozens of other films. One of the hopefuls for entry, a pregnant lady, pulls off a smart and most enjoyable trick.
Great writing of course, e.g. immigration cop Walter Abel answering Paulette's new non-American speaking sugar daddy's "How do you do?" with "Very well thanks, sucker!"
Ph. Leo Tover, ed. Doane Harrison. Paramount.
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