MovieChat Forums > The Red Danube (1949) Discussion > Audrey

Audrey

posted 9 years ago by littlenightmusic-15077
6 replies | jump to latest

Don't know about anyone else but I found Audrey (Angela Lansbury) far more interesting, and fun, than the girl Peter Lawford was mooning over.

[–] DanceAnitra 9 years ago

Agreed, but the character of Audrey was strong of spirit, clever, and self-reliant. Peter Lawford's character seemed to suffer from Rescuer Syndrome/ White Knight Disorder, something that on the surface seems noble and self sacrificial but more often than not, leads said rescuer from one failed mission to another.

I am a Christian and tend not to give psycho babble much credence, but I've witnessed this too many times, and not only in males.

Great movie. Really enjoyed Walter Pidgeon and Ethel Barrymore.

[–] littlenightmusic-15077 9 years ago

Very good points.
I really enjoyed this movie too.

[–] dannieboy20906 8 years ago

I suffer from the 'White Knight Disorder,' suffered through some failed missions, and suffered more through successful missions. I have also left some broken hearts in my wake. My current partially successful mission, fortunately, is exceptionally strong of spirit, clever enough to understand my disorder, and self-reliant in many ways. We are struggling now to rescue each other.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

[–] dannieboy20906 8 years ago

What I don't get is why they would even consider a relationship and why the colonel would encourage 'Audrey.' Unless I misunderstand what I am seeing and hearing, 'Audrey' is a captain in the Royal Army. In some cases they are more informal than the United States military services, but most of the time they are more formal. Any personal relationship between Captain Quail and Major Phimister would be absolutely forbidden. This would not prevent the senior officers, Colonel whatsisname and Major Phimister from addressing her as 'Audrey' in informal office business, but she certainly ought to be discouraged from seeking a personal relationship with her immediate superior.

Maybe she occupies some volunteer position, or she is a civilian in uniform for appearance sake and I missed the explanation.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

[–] Reedmalloy 8 years ago

Audrey is in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, a formerly voluntary support branch to the British Army formed in 1938 and militarized (with pay) in 1941. As she herself says to the Countess Cressanti early in the film, she is "Miss Audrey Quail, General Staff Officer 3rd Grade, rank of Junior Commander, that's equivalent to captain."

The rules of fraternization in the British Army were similar to those in the U.S. Army, prohibited between other ranks (enlisted) and officers, and between officers of different ranks within the chain of command. McPhimister is not her direct superior; Nicobar is. Their roles were on the same level of authority, which for practical purposes made them equals within their organization and not subject to "no fraternization."

[–] dannieboy20906 8 years ago

Reedmalloy;

Thank you for the explanation. You cleared it up for me. As pretty as Angela Lansbury is in this film, I don't think that I would further complicate an already tense and complex situation as Major McPhimister did. But, for some people a little romance will take the edge off.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.