Hold Back the Dawn

From Hollywood, the NBC Theater presents... John, director, Mitchell Lycen, Stars, Charles Boye, Vanessa Brown. The Hollywood screen directors present a story fashioned for the heart. Hold back the dawn, starring Charles Boye with Vanessa Brown, and introducing the director of the film, Mitchell Lycen.

Some weeks ago, the NBC Theater introduced one of Hollywood's most expert directors of motion picture comedy. Tonight, he is our guest once again as we present a film story of a quite different character. Thus, an impressive versatility is limelighted by the contrast between comedy and romantic drama, two forms of entertainment vividly directed by the same artist.

Ladies and gentlemen, the director of such excellent films as Lady in the Dark, Kitty, to each his own, and tonight's story, Hold Back the Dawn. Mr. Mitchell Leisen. Thank you, thank you. Pulled Back the Dawn was a rather unusual film which tried to tell a story of how a motion picture is made.

And that's how I happened to end up in front of the camera myself, managing somehow to act the part of a screen director named Mitchell Leisen. My job in the opening sequence was to listen as a fascinating rascal down on his luck, tried to sell his story to motion pictures.

Pulled Back the Dawn is the story he told me. And now Charles Boye starring in his original role of George Iscovescu with Vanessa Brown as Enne. On one side of the high wire fence standing in the desert heat, the stars and stripes flutter in the sunshine.

For many waiting on the Mexican side, that flag is the goal. The soil it flies over the dream. To George Iscovescu, barely within the law, international confidence man, gigolo, it merely means another people to exploit.