ESCAPE ME NEVER

US, 1947, 104 minutes, Black and white.
Errol Flynn, Ida Lupino, Eleanor Parker, Gig Young, Reginald Denny, Isobel Elsom, Albert Basserman, Ludwig Stossel.
Directed by Peter Godfrey.

Escape Me Never is a far-fetched romantic melodrama with interest because of its leading stars; Errol Flynn, Ida Lupino and Eleanor Parker. It was directed by Peter Godfrey who made a number of films at Warner Brothers during, the late 1940s. The film is also notable for a musical score by the celebrated Erich Wolfgang Korngold.

The film is one of those 'women's' films of the period - a romantic composer, romance, a man with two women, Italian settings, infidelity in marriage, a broken marriage, final achievement. While the material is that of soap opera - its shows the kind of popular soap opera of the mid-40s.

1. Interesting and entertaining romantic melodrama?

2. Warner Brothers production values: the stars, black and white photography, the Korngold score? The atmosphere of Europe (Hollywood style)?

3. The title and the focus on Sebastian, his relationships with Gemma and Fenella? The triumph of inspiration and love?

4. The credibility of Errol Flynn as Dubrock? As a composer? His talent? His erratic character? His being loved by Gemma? The contrast with the love from Fenella? His life in Italy? His marriage to Gemma? The inspiration from Fenella? The ballet? His treatment of his wife and child? Gemma leaving him? The r repercussions? His return to wife and child?

5. Gemma and her love for Sebastian, her recognition of his faults, devotion? Their marriage? The rockiness of the marriage? The birth of the child? Sebastian and his self-absorption?, Composition? His entanglements with Fenella? inspiration? His composing and Gemma leaving him with the child? Her change of heart?

6. Fenella and her place in society, her love for Sebastian? Her expectations? Demands of him, inspiration? The music for the ballet? Sebastian's leaving wife and child for music and for Fenella? finally going back to his wife and leaving her?

7. The world of music, musical, composition, ballet, work,
inspiration? Business struggles? The repercussions on personal life and family?

8. Popular romance - lavish soap opera style?