Operation Secret
Operation Secret is a 1952 American drama film directed by Lewis Seiler and written by Harold Medford and James R. Webb. The film stars Cornel Wilde, Steve Cochran, Phyllis Thaxter, Karl Malden, Paul Picerni and Lester Matthews. The film was released by Warner Bros. on November 8, 1952.[1][2] The film is based on the exploits of US Marine Corps Major Peter Ortiz.[3]
| Operation Secret | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Lewis Seiler |
| Written by | Harold Medford James R. Webb |
| Produced by | Henry Blanke |
| Starring | Cornel Wilde Steve Cochran Phyllis Thaxter Karl Malden Paul Picerni Lester Matthews |
| Cinematography | Ted D. McCord |
| Edited by | Clarence Kolster |
| Music by | Roy Webb |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 108 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
While under attack by German forces, a French army unit discovers there is a traitor in their midst, feeding the Germans information.
Cast
- Cornel Wilde as Peter Forrester
- Steve Cochran as Marcel Brevoort
- Phyllis Thaxter as Maria Corbet
- Karl Malden as Maj. Latrec
- Paul Picerni as Capt. Armand Dupree
- Lester Matthews as Robbins
- Dan O'Herlihy as Mike Duncan
- Jay Novello as Herr Bauer
- Wilton Graff as French Official
- Dan Riss as German Sergeant
- Harlan Warde as Maj. Dawson
- Kenneth Patterson as General
- William F. Leicester as Capt. Hughes
- Gayle Kellogg as Corporal
Critical reception
New York Times critic Bosley Crowther said the film "spins its story vigorously but with little impact. This dissipation of potential tension may be attributed to the fact that the self-effacing bravery displayed here has been in evidence on film before, and with greater effect." Crowther said that even though it was based on fact, "this annal of dedicated men braving dangerous assignments appears to be largely hackneyed deeds out of an old and not too thrilling history."[2]
A New York Daily News critic observed that earlier films about the underground in Europe had presented all the fighters as "heroes and patriots." but that "now, apparently, it can be told that some of the leaders of resistance movements were fighting first for Russia and only incidentally for their native lands." She praised Wilde for an "effective performance."[4]
References
- ^ "Operation Secret (1952) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2015-06-08.
- ^ a b Crowther, Bosley (6 November 1952). "Operation Secret' Opens at Paramount". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- ^ "Colonel Peter Julien Ortiz: OSS Marine, Actor, Californian".
- ^ Cameron, Kate (6 November 1952). "'Operation Secret' A Suspenseful Film". Daily News. p. 76. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- Operation Secret at IMDb