Sometimes it isn't easy to fit a film into a certain genre. While it has some leanings to a particular genre, those leanings are quite mild, so you're not sure it really fits there. That's the case with Dangerously They Live, a 1941 drama starring John Garfield. While there are some elements of espionage, it's not overtly an espionage film. Also, while it is mildly suspenseful, it hardly qualifies as a mystery/suspense. So, I will simply say this film is a drama, with a small amount of espionage and suspense.
Also starring Nancy Coleman and Raymond Massey, Dangerously They Live has John Garfield playing against type. While he generally portrays cynical, angry, or criminal men, in this film, he's an honorable, likeable doctor, assigned to the case of a lovely young woman---the victim of a car accident. Although the lady's injuries weren't severe, after coming to after the accident, she seems to have amnesia and is unable to tell Dr. Lewis anything about herself.
When a man claiming to be her father arrives at the hospital, the woman tells Dr. Lewis that she is in danger, that the man is not her father and is just trying to get information out of her. She claims that she is a member of the British Intelligence and that she was on an important anti-Nazi mission when the accident occurred. However, when the man returns to the hospital with photos of himself with the young woman, Dr. Lewis isn't sure what to believe. Is this beautiful young woman really in danger? Or has the accident left her confused and delusional?
This movie was enjoyable and quite interesting; however, I must admit, I actually prefer John Garfield in his typical, rough-around-the-edges kind of roles. As I've said before, I rather like him when he's in "bad boy" fashion...I think he really excelled in those roles. He's good here, and the film is entertaining; I just prefer Garfield when he's not a nice guy. I do recommend this movie, though, especially to those who are Garfield fans.
Happy viewing!!!
