Operator 13 (1934)

Union spy Gail Loveless impersonates a black maid in the early days of the Civil War, but complications arise when she falls in love with a Confederate officer.

Director:

Richard Boleslawski

Writers:

Harvey F. Thew (screen play), Zelda Sears (screen play),

Stars:

Marion Davies, Gary Cooper, Jean Parker

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marion Davies	...	Gail Loveless
Gary Cooper	...	Captain Jack Gailliard
Jean Parker	...	Eleanor
Katharine Alexander	...	Pauline
Ted Healy	...	Doctor Hitchcock
Russell Hardie	...	Littledale
Henry Wadsworth	...	John Pelham
Douglass Dumbrille	...	General Stuart (as Douglas Dumbrille)
Willard Robertson	...	Captain Channing
Fuzzy Knight	...	Sweeney
Sidney Toler	...	Major Allen
Robert McWade	...	Colonel Sharpe
Marjorie Gateson	...	Mrs. Shackleford
Wade Boteler	...	Gaston
Walter Long	...	Operator 55

Storyline

Gail Loveless, a spy known as Operator 13 working for the Union and Federal cause during the Civil War, posing as a Confederate woman named Anne Claybourne, meets and falls in love with Confederate Captain Jack Galliard. Dusguised as an octoroom maid at a Confedarate military ball, she learns and relays secrets to the Union forces that are devastating to the Rebel cause. Assigned to the case to track down and kill the spy maid, Galliard learns she is also the woman he loves, but proceeds with his assignment. He captures her but is in danger of being captured himself as Federal forces are approaching. Gail/Anne saves him and they part to wait until peace comes to resume their romance.

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Plot Keywords:

spy | civil war | female spy | secret service | copperhead | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 June 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spy 13

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Curly Howard of The Three Stooges was originally to have appeared in this film.

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Goofs

When Gail takes an oath, she raises her right arm in the traditional manner, but in the next shot, it has turned into a salute.

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Quotes

Major Allen aka Allen Pinkerton: Operators 27 and 13 are not men.
'Doctor' Hitchcock: What are they, mules?

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Connections

Featured in Captured on Film: The True Story of Marion Davies (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Oh Susanna"
(1846) (uncredited)
Written by Stephen Foster
Played as background music when the Ford's theater sign is shown

User Reviews

When Marion Comes Marching Home Again

During the United States Civil War, singer Marion Davies (as Gail Loveless) is recruited to become a spy for the North. Darkening her skin and hair, speaking in husky drawl, and codenamed "Operator 13", Ms. Davies becomes the "Negro" maid working for Katharine Alexander (as Pauline "Operator 27" Cushman). While in her African guise, Davies meets handsome young Gary Cooper (as Jack Gailliard), a confederate spy. Believe it or not, romance ensues…

Davies found her niche in a series of fine late 1920s silent comedies. Then, she braved a successful, albeit shaky, transition to talking films. But, by "Operator 13", Davies was back in the inappropriate film rut earlier represented by films like "Janice Meredith". This was the type of film sponsor William Randolph Hearst seemed to want for Davies, and she did not learn how to market herself honestly. It gets better after Davies washes the black paint off her face. George Folsey's photography received an "Academy Award" nomination. And, The Mills Brothers are wonderful.

**** Operator 13 (6/8/34) Richard Boleslawski ~ Marion Davies, Gary Cooper, Jean Parker, Katharine Alexander