Women in War (1940) DVD-R

Starring Elsie Janis, Wendy Barrie, Patric Knowles, Mae Clarke, Dennie Moore
Directed by John H. Auer

Print: black/white
Runtime: 71 min.
Genre: drama
Print Quality: B

Musical comedy favorite Elsie Janis, who gained renown in WW1 as "The Sweetheart of the
AEF", returned to the screen after a long absence in Republic's Women in War. The story is
the old chestnut about two volunteer Red Cross nurses, Pamela (Wendy Barrie) and Gail
(Mae Clarke), both in love with dashing aviator Larry (Patric Knowles). The producers
brought the storyline up-to-date by plunking it in the middle of the London Blitz, German air
raids and all. As a result, Women in War was one of the first Hollywood productions to
recreate the Nazi bombing of London, which it did with commendable credibility. Top-billed
Elsie Janis plays O'Neill, "den mother" of the volunteer nurses; surprisingly, she is afforded
no singing opportunities, but manages to light up the screen all the same.