Secret Service (12 Jan. 1977)

Set in Richmond, Virginia in October 1864, tells the story of a Union spy working to seize control of the telegraph office.

Director:

Peter Levin

Writer:

William Gillette (play)

Stars:

Lenny Baker, Frederick Coffin, Alice Drummond

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Lenny Baker	...	Henry Dumont
Frederick Coffin	...	Lt. Maxwell
Alice Drummond	...	Mrs. Varney
Joe Grifasi	...	Cpl. Matson
David Harris	...	Jonas
Mary Beth Hurt	...	Caroline Mitford
Jeffrey Jones	...	Sgt. Wilson
Charles Kimbrough	...	Benton Arrelsford
John Lithgow	...	Capt. Thorne
Arthur Miller	...	Messenger B
Moultrie Patten	...	Cavalry orderly
Jonathan Penzner	...	Lt. Allison
Roy Poole	...	Maj. Gen. Randolph
Rex Robbins	...	Lt. Foray
Hansford Rowe	...	Messenger A

Storyline

Set in Richmond, Virginia on an evening in October 1864, tells the story of a Union spy working to seize control of the telegraph office by posing as the wounded Confederate Captain Thorne. The spy's false orders raise the suspicions of a southern agent, who uses a local girl in love with Thorne to set a trap.

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Plot Keywords:

spy | richmond virginia | telegraph | filmed play | american civil war | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 1977 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Phoenix Theatre, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was a videotaped performance of a Phoenix Theatre Company production which played at the Playhouse Theatre in New York in 1976. The play started in previews on March 30, 1976 and, after 15 performances, opened April 12 of that year and played for 13 performances, closing May 2. It was performed in tandem with "Boy Meets Girl."

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Connections

Version of Secret Service (1919)

User Reviews

Excellent suspense movie

This made for TV movie shows what public TV can provide. An excellent cast (I believe most of them were part of a New York City theater company at the time) included John Lithgow, Meryl Streep, Mary Beth Hurt and others. The plot is compelling and very suspenseful.