The Great Manhunt (1950)

In post-WW2 Europe, when the dictator of a small police state dies during surgery, the operating surgeon, who's a visiting American doctor, is held captive in order to preserve the terrible state secret.

Director:

Sidney Gilliat

Writer:

Sidney Gilliat (screenplay)

Stars:

Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Glynis Johns, Olga Lowe

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Dr. John Marlowe
Glynis Johns	...	Lisa Robinson
Olga Lowe	...	Baba 'Robinson', taller singer
Therese Van Kye	...	Teresa 'Robinson'
Jack Hawkins	...	Colonel Galcon
Walter Rilla	...	General Niva
Karel Stepanek	...	Dr. Revo
Leonard Sachs	...	Dr. Poldoi
Herbert Lom	...	Karl Theodor
Robert Ayres	...	Arthur J. Buckman
Howard Douglas	...	Clubman
Martin Boddey	...	Clubman
Russell Waters	...	Clubman
Arthur Howard	...	Clubman
Carl Jaffe	...	Janovic Prada / Tugboat Captain (as Carl Jaffé)

Storyline

Visiting in England, famed American surgeon Doctor John Marlowe is decoyed to a middle European country, and discovers the operation he is to perform is on the Vosnian dictator. When the latter dies, he is replaced by a look-alike, but Marlowe is the object of a shoot-to-kill, vicious pursuit by the secret police of Vosnia since it is vital to Vosnia that the dictator's death does not become known. Fleeing, he seeks help from an English-speaking actress, Lisa Robinson, and the two are harried across the countryside before being captured. (Produced by the British team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat "in association with London Films" and released in the U.S. by Columbia Pictures Corporation.)

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Plot Keywords:

operation | telegram | billiards | car chase | barber | 

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Taglines:

ADVENTURE SWEEPING ACROSS A CONTINENT!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Glynis Johns is the film's leading lady and is second-billed; however, she does not appear in the film at all for the first forty-five minutes, nearly half-way through.

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Goofs

All of the vehicles the characters drive have a steering wheel on the right hand side. This includes the State Security Chief, the Staff car and the truck.

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Quotes

Karl Theodor: [Lisa hurriedly packing a case, Theodor pacing up and down]
[Lisa folding a pair of pajamas]
Karl Theodor: You have excellent taste
Lisa Robinson: Do you mind ! It will take me longer if I stop to shudder.

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Connections

Referenced in Beyond Recognition (2003)

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Soundtracks

Paper Doll
(uncredited)
Written by Johnny Black
Performed by Glynis Johns, Olga Lowe and Therese Van Kye

User Reviews

Doug's Best.......

State Secret is a forgotten classic, made around the same time as the celebrated 'The Third Man', this film is equally, if not more enjoyable! A thriller in the Hitchcockian tradition, with a nice blend of comedy that doesn't detract from the thrills. Devilishly handsome, dashing and suave Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. in what is arguably his best role as the Doctor running for his life in a foreign country, ably supported by a menacing Jack Hawkins, pretty Glynis Johns, and a hilarious Herbert Lom, in one of the best 'cat & mouse' chases ever made! Nice locales, excellent black & white photography all add up to one hell of a ride! An even bigger mystery is why this film has never been given it's just desserts in an official DVD release? Perhaps it didn't have as catchy a theme as 'The Third Man'?

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 September 1950 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Great Manhunt

Filming Locations:

Dolomites, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1