Kaaren Verne

Berlin-born actress Kaaren Verne fled her homeland in 1938 when it became obvious (to her, at least) that Hitler was hazardous to her future well-being. Verne made her English-language movie debut in the 1939 British film Ten Days in Paris, and the following year had settled in Hollywood. At first, the studios tried to play down her German heritage by briefly changing her professional name to Catherine Young, but after America's entry into World War II, the publicity value of a Teutonic actress who'd turned her back on Naziism was too good to avoid. During this period, Verne was the wife of Peter Lorre, with whom she appeared in All Through the Night. Even after their divorce, Lorre was known to turn to Verne in moments of crisis, often telephoning her late at night to tearfully pour out his insecurities. Kaaren Verne remained in films until her death, essaying worldly-wise character vignettes in such films as Ship of Fools (1965) and Torn Curtain (1966).

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide