Duane Eddy and Ry Cooder - 1983

Duane Eddy
Peter Gunn
Bobby Darin
Rebel Rouser

This Was Paris - 1942

This Was Paris - 1942



One of the best of the World War II propaganda movies, it's original intent was to warn English citizens of the dangers of homeland espionage. Viewed from the perspective of history, it captures the danger and desperation of the time. The Nazi menace was threatening and the eventual outcome was unknown. Germany brutally invaded occupied all of Europe except for England and Switzerland (with help from the fascists in Spain and Italy). England had finally seen the coming invasion across the Channel, and the United States was gearing up for war on two fronts. Russia was willing to compromise in almost any form to remain neutral.

The opening credits are overlaid on a series of cartoons (by Fougasse - Cyril Kenneth Bird) that initially appear to be introducing a lighthearted movie. Each shows people casually talking, leading to the point of the film - "The Enemy is Always Listening." Fougasse was a civil engineer who focused on his cartooning skills while recovering from injuries at Gallipoli. He then volunteered his cartoons for the war effort. The best known of his propaganda cartoons is "Careless Talk Costs Lives."


When the movie was viewed in 1942, the theme of "fifth column" espionage was terrifying to English and American audiences, quite similarly to terrorist fears of today. Just as residents of England believed invasion and occupation by Germany to be a real possibility, the outcome of the "war on terrorism" is uncertain today.

Despite the serious subject matter, daily life in Paris, waiting for the German troops, life went on, music filled the cabarets and love affairs blossomed. Underlying all that, however, was the real prospect of joining the battle at the risk of life. Perhaps there are lessons from those fearful days for the threats we now face.