Background to Danger (1943)

A German spy ring plans to publicize a false rumor that Russia, who is fighting Germany, plans to invade neutral Turkey in order to ally them with the Nazis.

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writers:

W.R. Burnett (screenplay), Eric Ambler (novel)

Stars:

George Raft, Brenda Marshall, Sydney Greenstreet

Cast

Complete credited cast:
George Raft	...	Joe Barton
Brenda Marshall	...	Tamara Zaleshoff
Sydney Greenstreet	...	Colonel Robinson
Peter Lorre	...	Nikolai Zaleshoff
Osa Massen	...	Ana Remzi
Turhan Bey	...	Hassan
Willard Robertson	...	'Mac' McNamara
Kurt Katch	...	Mailler

Storyline

Ankara in neutral Turkey : World War Two. A town of intrigue and of provocateurs. The Germans are planning to leak maps apparently proving that the Russians are about to invade the country. American Joe Barton is in the know and in the middle, along with Zaloshoff and his sister who may or may not be Russians. What is clear though is that odious Colonel Robinson is a full-blown Nazi.

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Plot Keywords:

murder of a woman | psychotronic film | nazi | spy | international relations | 

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Taglines:

Love in the midst of intrigue!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The three photographs of possible Roumanian secret agents which McNamara shows Joe were those of Warner Bros. contract players Paul Panzer, Glen Cavender and Stuart Holmes. Those three are not actually in the movie. The fourth photograph was that of Leo White, who is seen in an early scene whispering in someone's ear.

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Goofs

When George Raft is told to shoot Peter Lorre by Sydney Greenstreet to prove his loyalty he reaches into a box on the desk and takes out a Colt Detective Special revolver. When the camera changes to the gun in his hand it has changed into a German P08 Luger.

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Quotes

Colonel Robinson: Our problem is a simple one. We must create an incident. Any kind of an incident that will convince Turkey Russia is about to attack her. How we accomplish this does not matter.

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Connections

Featured in American Masters: Tyrus (2017)

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Soundtracks

Rosen aus dem Süden (Roses from the South), Op.388
(1880)
Written by Johann Strauss
Played on a radio

User Reviews

Background To Danger

I recorded the film "Background To Danger" on TCM a while ago and I like this movie. I like George Raft, too... I also thought that the other cast members were excellent as well. You know, Peter Lorre, Turhan Bey & Sydney Greenstreet were all very good or great actors of our past... I admit, this film doesn't generally get the credit that I feel it deserves, but it was a good effort on the part of Hollywood. George Raft may not have had the same impact that a "Humphrey Bogart" had as a full on star, but I thought George Raft held his own pretty good in this 1943 film. After this film, George Raft kind of slipped into the "B" rated feature film roles of Hollywood, and that was kind of sad to see. Again, I thought the late George Raft was a good/decent actor and I liked his work. To my knowledge, George died back in 1980 of some form of cancer, however, he was at or about 85 years old at the time of his death.... Cheerio...

MR.BILL

EXTRA:

Many of the "Golden Era" film greats like "Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart & George Raft" slipped down a notch or two by the late 1940s/early '50s... I, always enjoyed it most when some of these stars teamed up to do a film like they use to back in the 1930s... Basically, to me, it was best when they teamed up or squared off against one another in the same film..... Again, last but not least, "Background To Danger" was a good 1943 picture, and I'm glad I have it on video.... Peace....

Details

Official Sites:

Ozus' World Movie Reviews [Dennis Schwartz]

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Turkish French

Release Date:

3 July 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Background to Danger

Filming Locations:

Estressin, Vienne, Isère, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1