Hold Back the Dawn Overview:

Hold Back the Dawn (1941) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by Mitchell Leisen and produced by Arthur Hornblow Jr..

Academy Awards 1941 --- Ceremony Number 14 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActressOlivia de HavillandNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Hans Dreier, Robert Usher; Interior Decoration: Sam ComerNominated
Best CinematographyLeo ToverNominated
Best Music - ScoringVictor YoungNominated
Best PictureParamountNominated
Best WritingCharles Brackett, Billy WilderNominated
.

BlogHub Articles:

Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland, and Paulette Goddard try to “Hold Back the Dawn”

By Stephen Reginald on Jan 20, 2026 From Classic Movie Man

Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland, and Paulette Goddard try to “Hold Back the Dawn” Set against the backdrop of a dusty Mexican border town, Hold Back the Dawn (1941), directed by Mitchell Leisen, follows the story of Georges Iscovescu (Charles Boyer), a suave but desperate Europea... Read full article


A Porta de Ouro / Hold Back the Dawn (1941)

By L? on Jul 3, 2018 From Critica Retro

A Porta de Ouro / Hold Back the Dawn (1941) Todo mundo merece um lugar ao sol? N?o sei ao certo, mas todo mundo quer um lugar ao sol. E geralmente a busca por este lugar cheio de alegria e satisfa??o envolve a migra??o. E o que acontece quando os imigrantes s?o parados no meio do caminho? Qu... Read full article


Hold Back the Dawn (Mitchell Leisen, 1941)

By Judy on Jul 2, 2016 From Movie Classics

Charles Boyer, Paulette Goddard and Olivia de Havilland Happy 100th birthday, Olivia de Havilland! This is my contribution to her centenary blogathon, being organised by The Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and Phyllis Loves Classic Movies. Please visit and read the other entries, which cover a wi... Read full article


Hold Back the Dawn (1941)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 5, 2015 From 4 Star Films

Hold Back the Dawn was written by the winning combination of Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, but the director was actually Mitchell Leisen. That was the last time Wilder would let someone else take hold of his work. It’s actually rather meta, a film within a film. We see our director and a ... Read full article


Hold Back the Dawn (1941)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 5, 2015 From 4 Star Films

Hold Back the Dawn was written by the winning combination of Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, but the director was actually Mitchell Leisen. That was the last time Wilder would let someone else take hold of his work. It’s actually rather meta, a film within a film. We see our director and a ... Read full article


See all Hold Back the Dawn articles

Quotes from

Anita Dixon: All those years with all the others, I've shut my eyes and thought of you.


Georges Iscovescu: Your husband?
Anita Dixon: No. No, Shaughnessy was a jockey from Caliente. Five foot three. Once over the border, I went to a judge. I said, a woman wants a man, not a radiator cap! Divorce granted, fifty dollars.


Georges Iscovescu: [having just let Anita know that he prefers the company of Emmy] You've got enough money to get you back to New York. I'll find you there when I'm ready.
Anita Dixon: Thanks! You just stand right in the middle of Times Square ... and whistle!


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Facts about

"Screen Director's Playhouse" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 15, 1949 with Charles Boyer reprising his film role.
"Academy Award Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on July 31, 1946 with Olivia de Havilland reprising her film role.
One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.
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Best Picture Oscar 1941











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Also directed by Mitchell Leisen




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Also produced by Arthur Hornblow Jr.




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