They Made Her a Spy (1939)

When her brother is killed by sabotage, Irene Eaton (Sally Eilers) joins the secret service and goes undercover to unroot the culprits.

Director:

Jack Hively

Writers:

Michael Kanin (screen play), Jo Pagano (screen play)

Stars:

Sally Eilers, Allan Lane, Fritz Leiber

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sally Eilers	...	Irene Eaton
Allan Lane	...	James Huntley
Fritz Leiber	...	Dr. Krull
Frank M. Thomas	...	Col. John Shaw
Theodore von Eltz	...	Col. Page (as Theodor Von Eltz)
Addison Richards	...	Everett Brock
Larry J. Blake	...	Ben Dawson (as Larry Blake)
Pierre Watkin	...	Col. Wilson
Louis Jean Heydt	...	Gillian
Spencer Charters	...	Lucius
Leona Roberts	...	Ella
Charles Halton	...	Beldon
Alec Craig	...	Canby

Storyline

When her brother is killed in the mysterious explosion of a new field-gun for the U. S. Army, Irene Eaton goes to Washington D. C. to call upon Colonel Shaw, head of the Army Military Intellegence. The gun explosion was just one of many acts of sabotage recently pulled off by a foreign sabotage gang. Shw and his aides are the subject of increasing criticism from Congressmen and politicians such as Everett Brock because they haven't captured the gang members and leaders. Shaw appoints Irene to root them out and sends her off to the Dome Cafe which is the headquarters of the gang.

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Plot Keywords:

washington monument washington d.c. | sabotage | explosion | cafe | gang member | 

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Taglines:

A Hundred men had failed...Could one woman - denying love - trap the phantom leader of scoundrels buying death to millions? (original ad)

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Allan Lane--aka "Rocky Lane"--became a star of many low-budget westerns, mainly for Republic Pictures, but is probably best remembered as the voice of "Mr. Ed" in the successful TV series Mister Ed (1958).

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Quotes

George Wolf, alias James Huntley: You *can* put us up for the night, can't you?
Irene Eaton, aka Margaret Brennan: We're very tired; we've been traveling all day.
Lucius 'Paul' Wilkins: Well, uh...
[Mrs. Wilkins whispers something in his ear]
Lucius 'Paul' Wilkins: Well, we've only got one room, and that we've been renting mainly to... *married* couples.
George Wolf, alias James Huntley: [He looks doubtful, then suddenly puts his arm around Irene] We're married, aren't we, dear?
Irene Eaton, aka Margaret Brennan: [big fake smile] Oh, of course! You see, well, it's been so long that I thought *everybody* knew...
[under her breath]
Irene Eaton, aka Margaret Brennan: or something.
Mrs. Ella Wilkins: I don't believe it!
[...]

User Reviews

They Made Her a Leading Actress

A decent script by, among other people, Michael Kanin, gets turned into an RKO B movie. Although the cast is nominally pretty good -- including Sally Eilers and Alan 'Rocky' Lane as the leads, old pro Teddy von Eltz as the good spymaster and Fritz Leiber Sr. as the rather cadaverous and evil Dr. Krull -- a name borrowed, if I recall correctly, for a bunch of subterranean baddies in the Silver Age Fantastic Four -- the whole thing is rather poorly performed. Saly Eilers is pretty stiff and declamatory and Alan Lane is little better in his scenes with her. Leiber is just fine; the only question in my mind is why he wasn't picked up as soon as he showed his face and given the third degree.

Director Jack Hively is probably at fault for what I see as the film's shortcomings. This was his last year as a director, all in RKO Bs, although he went on to be the AD on several excellent movies of the late 1940s.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fizeram-me uma Espiã

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1