The Crime of the Century (1952)
"Walk East on Beacon!" (original title)

A G-man searches for a communist sleeper-cell in Boston.

Director:

Alfred L. Werker

Writers:

Laurence Heath (additional writing), J. Edgar Hoover (article),

Stars:

George Murphy, Finlay Currie, Virginia Gilmore

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Murphy	...	Inspector James 'Jim' Belden
Finlay Currie	...	Professor Albert Kafer
Virginia Gilmore	...	Millie / Teresa Zalenko
Karel Stepanek	...	Alexi Laschenkov / Gregory Anders
Louisa Horton	...	Mrs. Elaine Wilben
Peter Capell	...	Chris Zalenko / Gino
Bruno Wick	...	Luther Danzig
Jack Manning	...	Melvin Foss / Vincent
Karl Weber	...	FBI Agent Charlie Reynolds
Robert A. Dunn	...	Dr. Wincott (as Rev. Robert Dunn)
Vilma Kurer	...	Mrs. Rita Foss
Michael Garrett	...	Michael Dorndoff / Frank Torrance
Lotte Palfi Andor	...	Mrs. Anna Kafer (as Lotte Palfi)
Ernest Graves	...	Robert Martin
Robert Carroll	...	Boldany

Storyline

A G-man searches for a communist sleeper-cell in Boston.

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Plot Keywords:

based on article | communist infiltrator | fbi | spy | based on true story

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Taglines:

MOST THRILLING PICTURE SINCE "HOUSE ON 92ND STREET"! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Thriller | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Louis de Rochemont's Walk East on Beacon!

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, RD-DR Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A sequence involving two Russian agents meeting covertly in a bar is underscored by Jack Shaindlin's song "I'm Tickled Pink" which is playing in the bar - the lyrics of which appear to add a comic overtone to the Communist-busting theme of the film. The exact same recording of the song is used in the popular video game "Fallout 3".

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Connections

Spoofed in Brazil (1985)

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Soundtracks

"Sobre las olas (Over the Waves)"
(uncredited)
Music by Juventino Rosas
Played at the restaurant

User Reviews

Kind of blah

"Walk East on Beacon" is a 1952 film starring George Murphy, about a G-man after a Communist sleeper cell. Set in Boston, it's a dry, unexciting look at police procedure, which we all know is plodding to begin with.

Narrated by Westbrook Van Vorhees, the film uses a documentary style often used for this type of film in the '50s. It usually signals an unexciting film, which this is.

George Murphy wasn't a great actor, but he was certainly charming. He isn't able to use much of his charm in this. The theme of the film isn't uncommon and has been better done.

The Boston locations were fun, but that's about it. If you're looking for thrills, go elsewhere.