The FBI Story (1959) 6.5
A dedicated FBI agent recalls the agency's battles against the Klan, organized crime and Communist spies. Director:Mervyn LeRoy |
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The FBI Story (1959) 6.5
A dedicated FBI agent recalls the agency's battles against the Klan, organized crime and Communist spies. Director:Mervyn LeRoy |
|
| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Stewart | ... |
John Michael ('Chip') Hardesty
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| Vera Miles | ... | ||
| Murray Hamilton | ... | ||
| Larry Pennell | ... |
George Crandall
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| Nick Adams | ... |
John Gilbert ('Jack') Graham
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Diane Jergens | ... |
Jennie Hardesty
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Jean Willes | ... | |
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Joyce Taylor | ... |
Anne Hardesty
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Victor Millan | ... |
Mario
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| Parley Baer | ... |
Harry Dakins
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Fay Roope | ... |
Dwight McCutcheon
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Ed Prentiss | ... |
U.S. Marshal
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Robert Gist | ... |
Medicine Salesman
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Buzz Martin | ... |
Mike Hardesty
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Ken Mayer | ... |
Casket Salesman
(as Kenneth Mayer)
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The story of the FBI unfolds through the eyes of one of its agents. During his career he investigates gangsters, swindlers, the klu klux klan, Nazi agents and cold war spies. Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>
This is a film that on the surface would seem to be all about J.Edgar Hoover giving himself a a big pat on the back for fighting Klansmen,going after Indian killers, hunting the famous gangsters of the 1930's, fighting Nazi's in the US and South America during world war 2 and Commies in New York during the early 1950's. Of course in 1959 we did not know about Mr. Hoover's obsession for keeping secret files on honest Americans, bugging people like the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, but worst of all,his secret love affair with his deputy director,Clyde Tolson( If you want to know more about that subject, I suggest seeing the film Citizen Cohn). Hoover aside, This story of a life in the FBI as told by Jimmy Stewart makes for a decent, but dated film. Vera Miles as his devoted wife is also good. But Jimmy is the movie. As much as Hoover controlled production and always made sure the FBI was seen without fault, Jimmy Stewart gave the film a human side,quite an achievement considering Hoover was always looking over his shoulder. The background score is also pleasant. I have read recent online articles suggesting that this is a forgotten film. Jimmy Stewart was one of the greatest film stars of all time and none of his films should be forgotten. TCM was the last network to show it a long time ago and I hope they show it again.