Secret People (1952)

This tale of intrigue finds Valentina Cortese involved in an assassination plot. She helps the police apprehend the conspirators after an innocent bystander is accidentally killed.

Director:

Thorold Dickinson

Writers:

Thorold Dickinson (story), Joyce Cary (story),

Stars:

Valentina Cortese, Serge Reggiani, Charles Goldner

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Valentina Cortese	...	Maria Brentano / Brent / Lena Collins
Serge Reggiani	...	Louis Balan
Charles Goldner	...	Anselmo
Audrey Hepburn	...	Nora Brentano
Angela Fouldes	...	Nora Brentano as a child
Megs Jenkins	...	Penny
Irene Worth	...	Miss Jackson
Reginald Tate	...	Inspector Eliot
Norman Williams	...	Police Sgt. Newcombe
Michael Shepley	...	Manager of the British Pavilion
Athene Seyler	...	Mrs. Reginald Kellick
Sydney Tafler	...	Syd Burnett
Geoffrey Hibbert	...	Steenie
John Ruddock	...	Daly
Michael Allan	...	Rodd

Storyline

In 1930, Maria Brentano and her younger sister Nora flee to London after their father is murdered by a European dictator. Seven years later, during a weekend trip to Paris, Maria unexpectedly meets Louis, her former lover who is now plotting the assassination of the dictator. Maria and Nora become involved in the plan, which goes tragically wrong when the time bomb they plant kills an innocent bystander.

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Plot Keywords:

ealing | starvation

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Taglines:

LOOK OUT FOR THIS MAN! HE LIVES! AND LOVES! AND MURDERS!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Verblendeten

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While most sources (including this website) list the official release date of this film as 1952, the copyright notice on the title card of the actual film reads "1951".

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits: "Hidden in each one of us is a secret person, often unknown even to ourselves. The force of circumstances can drive us to a point at which this inner character takes charge and alters the course of our lives."

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Soundtracks

"Valse brillante As-dur Op.34-1"
Written by Frédéric Chopin

User Reviews

okay pre-war time London espionage piece

Another Ealing Studios/Rank production from 1952... opens with a title card describing an "inner person" within each of us...foreshadowing of some sort. We are told that it takes place in 1930 London, just prior to England and WW II. A man reads a letter from an old friend, warning of troubles to come, and asking him to look after his children... Really, the only big name (that I recognize) is Audrey Hepburn, as "Nora", one of the daughters. The next two films she would make were Roman Holiday and Sabrina, and her voice sounds more like a little girl in this one, as she was still only about 21. Co-star Serge Reggiani, who apparently was a famous artist, singer, actor, poet, even boxer in Europe, plays "Louis". We follow along as Nora and her sister "Maria" (Valentina Cortese) make good and bad decisions. Lots of underground war-time spying and espionage.... the photography and sound are quite good for the 1950s. The film has a good script, but lacks a spark and some big names. A good entertaining film, if no real "electricity. Written and directed by Thorold Dickinson, this would be one of the last films he made. This film is not at all connected to the "Secret People" documentary made in 1998.