Enemy Of Women (Roan)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C+     Extras: C     Film: C

 

 

A cycle of exploitation films built on the Nazi reputation and evil (i.e., those Nazi’s are evil and are to be feared, loathed and hated as much as anyone untrustworthy because of what they pull) that saw its nadir with They Saved Hitler’s Brain (see the 50 Worst Films Ever Made DVD reviewed elsewhere on this site) but is not alone in badness.  Alfred Zeisler’s Enemy Of Women (1944) offers claims to be the true story of the Nazi’s head propaganda minister Paul Joseph Goebbels, but I guess he was against women before deciding to wipe out much of the rest of the human race?

 

With that said, the film has aged oddly, with the Nazi moments (hand salutes) coming across as nearly comic as if from an action B-movie or serial of the time aimed as propaganda entertainment for children as part of Hollywood’s effort to help win the war.  Claudia Drake plays a main target, while Gloria Stuart (the original Invisible Man, James Cameron’s Titanic) and the reliable H. B. Warner show up in supporting roles that save the film from being a total loss.  The film is never an insult simply because it stays on the correct message, but that does not stop it form being stilted, dated and repetitive.  It is worth a look for the very curious.

 

The 1.33 X 1 black and white image is from a decent print, but this transfer lacks detail and the cinematography by the legendary John Alton is only served so well, but this print is lucky to survive.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono shows its age, but fares better overall.  Extras include a Troma trailer, production notes, Lou Lembeck intro., clip from Vincent Sherman’s Underground (reviewed elsewhere on this site) and Sherman interview.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo