Laddie and the Ladies - THE RED BERET (Excerpts)

Here is a scene from the first of the three films that Alan Ladd made in the early '50s in Britain, THE RED BERET (US title: PARATROOPER, 1953). As in the case of HELL BELOW ZERO (1954), the screenplay was written by Richard Maibaum, and Albert R. Broccoli produced, both later best-known for the Bond-films, and this one was even directed by Terence Young, who directed DR NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and THUNDERBALL.
At the time, despite Ladd's popularity in Britain, there was a big patriotic fuss that Ladd's character was a great hero in the much-admired British regiment, but was American born and a member of the Canadian army. Nonetheless, this war actioner seems to have remained one of men's favorite Ladd movies to this day.
Despite the fact that the focus is on action, AL gets a rare love scene, with leading lady Susan Stephen. Who ever said English girls were prude? ;-)
I like the dialogue about the smile suiting him, because reportedly, after THIS GUN FOR HIRE (!942), many fans wrote to the studio that in future films, Ladd should smile more - and get the girl. :-)
No copyright abuse intended, but if the owners mind, the video will be deleted, of course.

[@gjmaztr7]

Lovely actress Susan Stephen, who portrays the RAF love interest in this film, has her look duplicated by actress Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Elton John's mom (Sheila) in the current film 'Rocketman'. Its so eerie, i never forget a lovely face,,,.maybe many British lasses have such beauty,,, I doubt it, however.

[@lonhebert]

he loved her in the movie