Secret Service (1931) User Reviews

Of Historical Interest Only

[max von meyerling · 5/10 · 24 July 2003]

Important only as a record of a real turn of the century barnstormer, a theatrical chestnut concocted by William Gillette, the man who brought Sherlock Holmes to the stage. A compact civil war drama that can be played in front of a bare minimum of sets, its story twists and turns in on itself basically getting down to the dilemma of a Union spy-duty or love. Though he is exposed nearly from the beginning the story oscillates between a will he or won't he conundrum which fills out the running time. Two gruesome deaths seem to effect the main protagonists not at all. Still an authentic glimpse of what the American public considered fine entertainment and serious theatre from a different time. As hokey as the tale seems today it was reprised in 1977 by PBS as a vehicle for Meryl Streep and John Lithgow ?!!. As far as the Civil war goes it has not a shred of authenticity in its bones. Best performance is by Florence Lake, in blackface, as a slave.

Previously filmed by Famous Player Lasky in 1919, this hammy play was revived no doubt because it was something from new RKO studio head David Selzick's childhood.

A simple and familiar sort of idea but well executed...

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 3 February 2013]

There were a lot of films made during the 30s and 40s about spies during the US Civil War--though most featured Confederate spies. In "Secret Service", it's about Union spies instead. Two brothers are sent behind enemy lines to prepare the way for an attack on Richmond. The Captain (Richard Dix) is to pose as a Confederate and infiltrate the telegraph office so that he can send false orders to the troops. However, two things happened that he didn't count on--he gets shot on the way there and when he's rehabilitated, he falls in love with the young lady ministering to him. But, there is a dogged Confederate counter-spy who is always at his heels--suspecting him of being a Union infiltrator.

The story is relatively routine but is also handled well. There is a nice feeling of suspense and the film does take a few unexpected turns. Because of this, it's a agreeable little film and well worth your time.

an engaging Civil War yarn...

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 6 January 2024]

... with Richard Dix as a Union man sent behind the lines to Richmond by General Grant, in order to help bring the War to a close. He is to be disguised as a dead Confederate officer, whilst his brother is to get himself captured. Along the way, he is injured as well as helping another Confederate to get medical help, although for some reason the poor chap is taken home (perhaps to reuse a rather familiar mansion set) and taken upstairs. Complications ensue when the daughter of the house (Shirley Grey) starts to fall for him.

Aside from some rather over-thick Southern accents, the film is generally entertaining and had a surprisingly unpleasant Gavin Gordon as a Confederate man whom we first might think is a non-combatant, but is in fact higher up, and ruthless to boot. This is powerfully seen when the servant / slave Jonas, played by Clarence Muse is summarily hung for helping Dix pass a message through. This is done without even letting the household know.

The film then becomes more fluid, with good use of camera movement in the telegraph office. . Directed by J Walter Ruben, this is certainly entertaining, though perhaps rather silly at times, although there was even another filming of it in 1977. In addition to this and Sherlock Holmes, Gillette wrote a number of other American Civil War dramas but this is a rare filming of one of them while the author was still alive.

Union spy penetrates Confederate telegraphy office but falls for Southern belle.

[Silents Fan · 5/10 · 25 July 2003]

This creaky old espionage flick is based on a play by William Gillette, who also wrote the popular Sherlock Holmes play. Richard Dix is suitably stoic in the lead role as the Union spy masquerading as a Confederate artillery officer from Texas. The movie is surprisingly gritty for the time. An innocent black man is hanged for spying and Dix's character's brother shoots himself to maintain Dix's cover. The racial stereotypes are broad and offensive, and the phony southern accents are thick enough to cut with a knife. Gavin Gordon, as the ruthless confederate spymaster, steals the show. William Gillette isn't Ian Fleming and Richard Dix isn't Sean Connery. This movie would be of interest primarily to those interested in William Gillette or to the fans of Richard Dix.

Below-par Civil War drama

[frankfob · 3/10 · 25 July 2003]

This Civil War spy drama is based on a stage play, and it shows. Director J. Walter Ruben eventually turned into a competent filmmaker, but at this early stage of his career he was apparently enamored of the "bolt the camera to the floor and never move it" school of directing, as this is an extremely static and stagy film. It gets a bit more mobile during the few outdoor shots, but the interior scenes must be why the term "photographed stage play" was invented: people stand around in one position, seldom move and recite their dialogue pretty much by rote. Leading man Richard Dix tries to inject some life into the dull proceedings, but the insipid dialogue, wooden supporting performances and leaden direction doom his efforts to failure.

Forgotten Civil War Film

[Ron Oliver · 10/10 · 27 July 2003]

Two brothers, both members of the Union's SECRET SERVICE, make their way behind Confederate lines to assist in the capture of Richmond.

Based on a play by the celebrated American stage actor William Gillette, this nearly forgotten Civil War film offers an interesting espionage plot and three actors worth watching.

Sturdy leading man Richard Dix provides a fine performance as a conflicted hero who would probably have gotten shot by both sides if captured. Even when the dialogue given him was substandard, Dix could always be counted on to instill some life into his character.

Gavin Gordon plays the Virginia official, consumed with jealousy, who engages Dix in a deadly war of wits. Wonderful Clarence Muse brings real heart to his portrayal of a friendly slave whose good nature gets him into terrible trouble.

The film has definite drawbacks. The romance Dix has with a Southern belle (Shirley Grey) is neither convincing nor compelling. The spy plot, dealing greatly with multiple coded telegraph messages, is rather difficult to follow. And the film fairly cries out for a background score to push the action along (Max Steiner, later one of the big names in cinematic music, provides the scant score).