Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. | ... | Dr. John Marlowe | |
Glynis Johns | ... | Lisa Robinson | |
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Olga Lowe | ... | Baba 'Robinson', taller singer |
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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 | |
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Russell Waters | ... | Clubman |
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Arthur Howard | ... | Clubman |
Carl Jaffe | ... | Janovic Prada / Tugboat Captain (as Carl Jaffé) |
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.) Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
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'?