Hold Back the Dawn (1941): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Hold Back the Dawn is a 1941 romantic drama directed by Mitchell Leisen, starring Charles Boyer, Paulette Goddard and Olivia de Havilland. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes. It was nominated for 6 Oscars. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 56m (116 min)
- Director
- Mitchell Leisen
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hold Back the Dawn About?
The premise of Hold Back the Dawn without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A young and innocent teacher, Emmy, finds herself captivated by the charismatic Georges in a Mexican border town. Their romance quickly leads to a whirlwind marriage, but Georges harbors a secret: he intends to use the union to obtain a green card. As Emmy's genuine nature and unwavering authenticity begin to affect him, Georges finds his carefully constructed plan and true motives challenged, ultimately forcing him to re-evaluate the meaning of love and honesty.
Hold Back the Dawn Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- deception
- hollywood california
- female teacher
- pre world war two
- cynicism
- betrayal
- redemption
- ex dancing partner
- political emigration
- class trip
- tijuana mexico
- visa
+38 more Show fewer
- prologue
- u.s. immigration inspector
- newlywed couple
- flashback
- boy
- romanian citizen
- song
- romanian
- romania
- romanian immigrant
- immigrant
- border town
- romanian character played by an american actor
- american actor plays a romanian character
- mexico
- told in flashback
- teacher
- love
- american
- jealousy
- gigolo
- immigration
- u.s. mexico border
- telephone
- cigarette smoking
- california
- wedding ring
- veil
- small town
- rainstorm
- professor
- principal
- police chase
- phone booth
- parade
- olive
- old flame
- marriage proposal
Hold Back the Dawn Cast
Charles Boyer leads the cast, with Paulette Goddard and Olivia de Havilland. Directed by Mitchell Leisen; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mitchell Leisen
Also Starring in Hold Back the Dawn
· 6 moreMore from Mitchell Leisen
More films directed by Mitchell Leisen, best-rated first: Remember the Night, To Each His Own, Death Takes a Holiday and The Girl Most Likely.
Hold Back the Dawn Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Hold Back the Dawn 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 79 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB
Hold Back the Dawn Plot Summary
What happens in Hold Back the Dawn from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As the story unfolds in this captivating film, Georges Iscovescu, portrayed by Charles Boyer, shares his tumultuous journey with a Hollywood director. This Romanian charmer finds himself stranded in a dusty Mexican border town with aspirations of reaching the United States, only to face the daunting challenges imposed by the quota system. He finds himself stuck at the Esperanza Hotel, enduring a frustrating six-month wait alongside other hopeful migrants, while his resources dwindle and despair sets in.
Full summary
The whole story of Hold Back the Dawn, scene by scene
Hold Back the Dawn Awards & Nominations
Hold Back the Dawn was nominated for 6 Oscars.
6 nominations1 ceremony
-
Oscars 1942 6 nominations- Nominated Actress – Olivia de Havilland
- Nominated Art Direction (Black-and-White)
- Nominated Cinematography (Black-and-White)
- Nominated Music (Music Score of a Dramatic Picture)
- Nominated Outstanding Motion Picture
How Well Do You Know Hold Back the Dawn?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Georges Iscovescu's nationality?
Hold Back the Dawn Also Known As
18 alternative titles, including “Si no amaneciera” and “Door de gouden poort”.
- Also known as
-
- Si no amaneciera
- Door de gouden poort
- A Porta de Ouro
- Brána ke stéstí
- Det må ikke blive morgen
- Yö on liian lyhyt
- As min ximerosi pote
- Zlote wrota
- Natten är så kort...
- Erwachen in der Dämmerung
- Par la porte d'or
- La porta d'oro
+6 more Show fewer
- La Porte d'or
- Das goldene Tor
- 良宵苦短
- Задержите рассвет
- 홀드 백 더 돈
- Brána ke štěstí
Seen Hold Back the Dawn?
Movies Like Hold Back the Dawn
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Another Dawn, Sunrise and Enamorada.
Hold Back the Dawn FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Hold Back the Dawn, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hold Back the Dawn?
Hold Back the Dawn runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).
When was Hold Back the Dawn released?
Hold Back the Dawn was released on September 26, 1941.
Who directed Hold Back the Dawn?
Hold Back the Dawn was directed by Mitchell Leisen.
More films by Mitchell Leisen Who is in the cast of Hold Back the Dawn?
Hold Back the Dawn stars Charles Boyer, Paulette Goddard and Olivia de Havilland, among 10 credited actors.
How is Hold Back the Dawn rated?
Hold Back the Dawn has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Was Hold Back the Dawn nominated for any awards?
Hold Back the Dawn received 6 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does Hold Back the Dawn have a post-credit scene?
No. Hold Back the Dawn has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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