The Assassin (1952)
"Venetian Bird" (original title)

Private detective Edward Mercer goes to Venice at the request of a French insurance company to locate a brave Italian whom they wish to reward for his part in the rescue of an Allied airman... See full summary »

Director:

Ralph Thomas

Writers:

Victor Canning (novel), Victor Canning (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Todd, Eva Bartok, John Gregson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Todd	...	Edward Mercer
Eva Bartok	...	Adriana Medova
John Gregson	...	Renzo Uccello
George Coulouris	...	Chief of Police Spadoni
Margot Grahame	...	Rosa Melitus
Walter Rilla	...	Count Boria
John Bailey	...	Lt. Longo
Sid James	...	Bernardo
Martin Boddey	...	Gufo
Michael Balfour	...	Moretto
Sydney Tafler	...	Boldesca
Miles Malleson	...	Grespi
Eric Pohlmann	...	Gostini
David Hurst	...	Minelli
Raymond Young	...	Luigi

Storyline

Private detective Edward Mercer goes to Venice at the request of a French insurance company to locate a brave Italian whom they wish to reward for his part in the rescue of an Allied airman shot down during the war. At least, that is what Mercer thinks as he steps off the steamer at the Piazza San Marco and is greeted by a smiling street photographer, Cassana. Mercer makes his way to a shop and finds his first contact dead from a knife stab, and the trail leads him to Adrianna. He faces danger from police chief Spaloni and also from a group of foreign patriots, led by Count Borian and Lieutenant Longo, who want to use him as a stool-pigeon for a planned Coup d'Etat. A hectic race across the roof tops, high above the great square, brings Mercer to grips against his unknown enemy.

---

Plot Keywords:

coup | private detective | rooftop escape | murder | venice italy | 

---

Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Assassin

Filming Locations:

Venice, Veneto, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Film-Makers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Time Was Standing Still"
(uncredited)
Music by Nino Rota
Lyrics by Ferrante Alvaro De Torres
English Lyrics by Harold Purcell

User Reviews

Hot Glass when Hot

Many of these detective series had to be formulaic. That is the nature of a series. So if you want to differentiate, one strategy is to introduce exotic locations. When this was made, that was still rare. The location has to be highlighted in the name, so we have Charlie Chan, the Saint, the Falcon and so in such and such a city.

The place here is Venice. Unfortunately it is not captured well. For some reason, the texture of the city escapes the usual camera. (I did like the color you got in the Clooney "The Job" and the Bond "XXX").

So the setting is largely wasted by the clumsy camera, except for a visit to a Murano glassworks. The glass factories are located on an island near the city because of the ancient fear of fire. These for hundreds of years have been a wonder of the world, once secret, now a bit tired. When this film was made, Chihuly had not yet brought Murano to our attention and the polluting effect of tourism had not occluded its magic.

It is only a few minutes in this otherwise ordinary adventure. And it is just background motion. But you might as I, hold it a dear experience to just see.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.