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	...	Colonel John Shaw
Theodore von Eltz	...	Colonel Page (as Theodor Von Eltz)
Addison Richards	...	Everett Brock
Larry J. Blake	...	Ben Dawson (as Larry Blake)
Pierre Watkin	...	Colonel 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:

sabotage | explosion | cafe | gang member | washington monument | 

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Taglines:

Uncle Sam Cracks Down On Spies!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fizeram-me uma Espiã

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

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

There's Spys Out There!!!

Prior to the outbreak of World War II (WWII) and continuing through too our entry in the war there was a series of cautionary tales involving Spys and their threat too this countries (U.S.A.) security. THEY MADE HER A SPY (1939) was RKOs' contribution to this trend.

Irene Eaton/Margaret Brennan (Sally Eilers) has a Patriotic as well as personal reason to fight against Spys. Her Brother in the first reel gets blown up testing a new explosive, SABOTAGE! Offering her services to Army Intelligence she quickly infiltrates the ring gaining their confidence. Along the way she meets future romantic interest George Wolf/James Huntley (Allan Lane). Are the Spys defeated and the Republic made secure? You bet and in only sixty-nine (69) entertaining minutes.

THEY MADE HER A SPY is not in the top ranks of these films. That would have to be a film like FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT (1940), Alfred Hitchcock directing. That movie we rate IMDb Eight********stars. This film though is worth watching as it is filled with competent second tier and character actors. The ending has a nice twist when the Master Spy is revealed.