IMDb > The Thief (1952)

The Thief (1952) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   186 votes
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Down 14% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Clarence Greene (writer)
Russell Rouse (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Thief on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
15 October 1952 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Never has the screen told a story like this! more
Plot:
A chance accident causes a nuclear physicist selling top secret material to the Russians to fall under FBI scrutiny and go on the run. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 nominations more
User Reviews:
Interesting gimmick film. more (14 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Ray Milland ... Allan Fields

Martin Gabel ... Mr. Bleek
Harry Bronson ... Harris
Rita Vale ... Miss Philips
Rex O'Malley ... Beal
Rita Gam ... The Girl
John McKutcheon ... Dr. Linstrum
Joe Conlin ... Walters
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Additional Details

Runtime:
85 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The Thief is one of the few films with synchronized sound to be made completely without spoken dialog. more
Goofs:
Miscellaneous: Martin Gabel's name is misspelled as "Martin Gable" in the closing credits. more

FAQ

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13 out of 13 people found the following review useful.
Interesting gimmick film., 7 March 2001
Author: Glenn Andreiev (gandreiev@aol.com) from Huntington, NY

THE THIEF (1952) has a fascinating footnote in film history. It is one of the few films with sync sound to be made completely without spoken dialog. It's plot concerns Dr. Allen Fields (Ray Milland) who is selling Government secrets to a foriegn power. He travels from Washington DC to Manhattan to deliver top secret documents. He doesn't know he is being followed by FBI Agents. There is innovative use of sound effects (The Washington DC ambiance is very different from the NYC ambiance) There are three human sounds in the film- two blood-curdling screams, and in a powerful finale scene, acted brillantly by Milland, a guilt ridden cry of anquish. The film did poor box office, as is the case with most gimmick films. These films fascinate cine-philes, but don't do a thing for Mr. and Mrs. Moviegoer. It's poor box office makes this well made thriller hard to catch. It is a shame.

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