I'm a big fan of English spy films shot during World War II. With Britain at war with Nazi Germany since 1939, the film industry there had a huge responsibility to raise spirits, emphasize what they were fighting for and keep the nation's morale up. There are many of these films, often focused on espionage, presumably to remind the population to remain keenly aware of people acting suspicious, asking strange questions and participating in what could be plots against the war effort.
Yellow Canary, released in 1943, was one of these films. Directed by Herbert Wilcox, the film starred Anna Neagle, Richard Greene and Albert Lieven. Though the film is quick to announce straight off that the characters in the film are fictional, Neagle's role was loosely based on Unity Mitford, an English socialite and Nazi sympathizer. Neagel was hugely popular in Britain for her beauty and brimming optimism in films, especially during the war. She and Wilcox married the year this film was released. Yellow Canary was also released in the U.S., mostly likely to remind those with isolationist views of why America was back in Europe defending a long-time strategic ally. [Photo above of Anna Neagle]
An interesting note. Perhaps due to a film shortages, instead of shooting with multiple cameras, some scenes were shot with one, with the camera briskly rotated to capture the other person's reaction or dialogue. You'll notice these swivel cuts throughout, which add to Yellow Canary's quaintness and charm. [Photo above of actor Richard Greene]
If you have already poured out that glass of port and settled in, here's Yellow Canary (1943)...
