13 Rue Madeleine (1947)

When spy chief Bob Sharkey finds out one of his agents-in-training is actually a Nazi double agent, his strategic decision not to arrest him results in tragedy.

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

John Monks Jr. (original screenplay), Sy Bartlett (original screenplay)

Stars:

James Cagney, Annabella, Richard Conte

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Cagney	...	Robert Emmett 'Bob' Sharkey
Annabella	...	Suzanne de Beaumont
Richard Conte	...	Bill O'Connell
Frank Latimore	...	Jeff Lassiter
Walter Abel	...	Charles Gibson
Melville Cooper	...	Pappy Simpson
Sam Jaffe	...	Mayor Galimard
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dick Gordon	...	Psychiatrist (scenes deleted)
Horace McMahon	...	Burglary Instructor (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Documentary-style prologue follows training of O.S.S. agents for WWII work behind enemy lines. One of the group is a German "mole;" leaders Gibson and Sharkey are aware of this and scheme to feed him false info about the invasion of Europe, while the real agents go to France to find a secret V-2 rocket depot. But the German spy outsmarts them and rejoins his people knowing too much; Bob Sharkey takes the risk of going in after him.

---

Plot Keywords:

spy | double agent | france | nazi | backgammon | 

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

3 March 1947 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

13, rue Madeleine

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rex Harrison turned down the lead role in 13 Rue Madeleine.

---

Goofs

In the French village, Cagney originally appears with a .45 automatic. Next he carries a large revolver, then the automatic. When he is involved in the shootout, he uses the revolver.

---

Quotes

Mayor Galimard: There will be reprisals!

---

Crazy Credits

Prologue, shown printed in a book: No single story could ever pay full tribute to the accomplishments of the U.S. Army Intelligence in World War II. Working secretly behind enemy lines, in close cooperation with our Allies, its brilliant work was an acknowledged factor in the final victory. The page turns to reveal: In order to obtain the maximum of realism and authenticity, all the exterior and interior settings in this Motion Picture were photographed in the field - - and, whenever possible, at the actual locations.

---

Connections

Edited into All This and World War II (1976)

User Reviews

13 Rue Madeleine: C'est Magnifique! ****

A totally marvelous film depicting the setting up of a spy organization in the U.S. during World War 11.

James Cagney shed his usual tough guy image in gangster films to portray the head of the unit. He is one tough dedicated American.

The film wonderfully captures the training that the prospective spies received. It also tells that one of them is really a German agent.

Annabella is convincing as one of the trainees who yearns for information regarding her missing husband in France.

Richard Conte is quite effective as the German spy who is cunning beyond belief. His cruelty is on par with his fabulous performance years later as Tony Bardman in "I'll Cry Tomorrow."

Though a tragic film, the film should serve to show the dedication of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War 11.