I Was an American Spy (1951)

Begins in documentary style when U. S. Army General Mark Clark authenticates Claire Phillips' adventures and achievements, as an American citizen who rendered invaluable services to her ... See full summary »

Director:

Lesley Selander

Writers:

Claire Phillips (novel), Claire Phillips (magazine article "I Was an American Spy"),

Stars:

Ann Dvorak, Gene Evans, Douglas Kennedy

Cast

Cast overview:
Ann Dvorak	...	Mrs. Claire 'High Pockets' Phillips
Gene Evans	...	Cpl. John Boone
Douglas Kennedy	...	Sgt. John Phillips
Richard Loo	...	Col. Masamato
Leon Lontoc	...	Pacio
Chabing	...	Lolita
Philip Ahn	...	Capt. Arito
Marya Marco	...	Fely
Nadine Ashdown	...	Dian
Lisa Ferraday	...	Dorothy Fuentes
Howard Chuman	...	Kamuri
Fred Revelala	...	Zig Zag (as Freddie Revelala)
James B. Leong	...	Ho Sang
Mark W. Clark	...	Himself / Authenticator in Prologue (as General Mark Clark)

Storyline

Begins in documentary style when U. S. Army General Mark Clark authenticates Claire Phillips' adventures and achievements, as an American citizen who rendered invaluable services to her country in Manila during the Japanese occupation, and at the end, when she is presented a medal by a Presidential representative: Claire Phillips, a café entertainer in Manila, marries a U.S. soldier on December 8, 1941, after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, and when he is killed fighting the Japanese invasion of the Phillipines, she returns to her calling as a means of obtaining and transmitting to the American and Filipino guerillas information, supplies and services which the Filipino underground uses in its aid to the Allied forces fighting the Japanese invaders. She has narrow escapes from detection and detention, until she is finally exposed as a spy, arrested, convicted and imprisoned.

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Plot Keywords:

japanese | american | spy | entertainer | detention | 

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Taglines:

Based on the Reader's Digest sensation that gripped the heart of the nation!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ich war eine amerikanische Spionin

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allied Artists Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mrs. Claire Phillips' (Ann Dvorak) code-name was 'High Pockets'.

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Soundtracks

"Because of You"
Music by Dudley Wilkinson
Lyrics by Arthur Hammerstein
Sung by Ann Dvorak

User Reviews

Ann Dvorak outstanding in spy drama

Based on a true story U.S. citizen Dvorak poses as a cabaret singer in Manila during WW2 to help combat a Japanese attack. Code name "High Pockets" she endures many dangers and severe punishment for the sake of her country in this tense spy story. Also impressive in the cast are Gene Evans, Douglas Kennedy and both Richard Loo and Philip Ahn performing their nasty Japanese soldier bits. However it's Dvorak who makes it all worth while. The veteran actress who excelled in such films as "Scarface" (1932), "Three on a Match" (1932), "G Men" (1935), "Our Very Own" (1950) etc. is outstanding as the American spy. Also featured in the film is the song "Because of You" which was a big hit for crooner Tony Bennett.