Connect with us


Movies

Spy In Black, The (1939, Conrad Veidt, Valerie Hobson)

Published

on


‘Alex Korda used to say that I was the greatest technician he ever knew in his film career,’ said Michael Powell, ‘he gave me a job when nobody else would and when he didn’t even know where his next million was coming from.’ In 1937 Powell was considering going to Hollywood when Alexander Korda offered him a one-year contract. The first project, Burmese Silver, fell through and Powell was assigned to taut espionage thriller The Spy In Black about which Film Weekly wrote: ‘This is a spy story with a plot sufficiently different – and disciplined – to be freshly interesting and vigorously different.’

During World War One German submarine commander-turned-agent Captain Hardt (Conrad Veidt) is ordered to make contact with a German agent posing as a village schoolteacher in the Orkneys. But the British Secret Service has learned of his scheme to use information from a British naval officer to give U-boats the location of a large number of British warships, and Jill Blacklock (Valerie Hobson), the wife of a naval officer, takes the place of his contact. Too late, Hardt realises the truth. Disguised, he makes a desperate attempt to escape on the local ferry, releases the German prisoners on board and tries to reach the German fleet to warn it. But the ferry is sunk by Hardt’s U-boat and then a British submarine sinks Hardt’s vessel…

The Spy in Black marked the first felicitous teaming of Powell and Emeric Pressburger, a collaboration that later produced such classics as The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp and A Matter of Life and Death. Pressburger, brought in by Korda to resolve the stalemate that had grown between Powell and producer Irving Asher, completely refashioned Roland Pertwee’s original material and, noted Powell: ‘The script was typically Emeric. Well you know it’s the way Hungarians see the world. They always see the world inside out. All their jokes are reverse jokes. They deal in paradoxes, that’s why Chesterton is to them a revered writer.’

Pressburger wrote the shooting script as filming progressed, and, complemented by Powell’s atmospheric direction and effective location filming in the Orkneys and Scapa Flow, The Spy in Black emerged as a hugely entertaining piece of work. German-born Veidt (who, married to a Jewish wife, had had to leave Germany when the Nazis came to power) gave a forceful and impressive performance. Monthly Film Bulletin said he ‘is brilliant in the lead. He is throughout a tragic if slightly sinister figure, and wins respect and sympathy as a patriot with the qualities most admirable in soldier, sailor or airman of any nationality – loyalty, courage, obedience and steadfast endurance,’ and went on: ‘Hobson is delightful… the remaining players are all excellent in their different ways.’

Advertisement

production details
UK | London Films | 82 minutes | 1939

Director: Michael Powell
Writer: Emeric Pressburger, from Roland Pertwee’s adaptation of the novel by J Storer Clouston

cast
Howard Marion-Crawford as German Officer in Kieler Hof Hotel
Hay Petrie as Engineer
Cyril Chamberlain as Bit Part
Bernard Miles as Hans – Hotel Receptionist
Valerie Hobson as The School Mistress
Esma Cannon as Maggie
Helen Haye as Mrs. Sedley
Conrad Veidt as Captain Hardt
Bryan Herbert as Corporal Guarding POW’s on Ferry
Cyril Raymond as The Rev. John Harris
Mary Morris as Chauffeuse
Marius Goring as Schuster
Skelton Knaggs as German Sailor looking for Capt. Hardt
Athole Stewart as The Rev. Hector Matthews
Robert Rendel as Admiral
Sebastian Shaw as Ashington
June Duprez as Anne Burnett
Agnes Lauchlan as Mrs. Matthews
George Summers as Captain Ratter
Grant Sutherland as Bob Bratt
Margaret Moffatt as Kate
Torin Thatcher as Submarine Officer
John Penrose as Newlywed at Kiel Hotel
Johnnie Schofield as Armed Guard of POW’s on Ferry
Diana Sinclair-Hall as Undetermined Minor Role
Graham Stark as Bell Boy
Jack Lambert as Passport Official (uncredited)

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News5 hours ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News5 hours ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News5 hours ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News5 hours ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News5 hours ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News5 hours ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News5 hours ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News5 hours ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

James Martin's Saturday Morning James Martin's Saturday Morning
News4 hours ago

Michaela Strachan, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, 30 March 2024, ITV1

ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning is the perfect relaxed culinary companion to your weekend, airing every Saturday morning from the...

Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow
News4 hours ago

Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff 3, Antiques Roadshow, 31 March 2024, BBC One

The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow visits Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park, Cardiff, for an episode full of exciting discoveries and fascinating...

RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World
News4 hours ago

Grand Finale, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World, 29 March 2024, BBC Three

BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World sees queens from the Drag Race franchise across the globe compete...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News4 hours ago

Natasha Raskin Sharp, Bargain Hunt, 29 March 2024, BBC One

BBC One’s Bargain Hunt sees two teams compete against each other to make the most profit from buying and selling...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News4 hours ago

Chernobyl: The Full Story, 29 March 2024, Channel 5,

Powerful documentary, Chernobyl: The Full Story, narrated by Ben Fogle, airs on Friday 29 March 2024 at 10.00pm on Channel...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News4 hours ago

Travel Man: 48 Hours in Rovaniemi, 29 March 2024, Channel 4,

Join Joe Lycett and a suited-up Desiree Burch for a new episode of Travel Man as they pack their bags...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News4 hours ago

The Sewer Map of Britain, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, Friday

Prepare for an enlightening journey into the underworld on Friday 29 March 2024 at 8.00pm on Channel 5 with The...

Bargain Loving Brits Bargain Loving Brits
News4 hours ago

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, “Series 11, Episode 8”

This episode of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun airing on Friday 29 March 2024 at 4.00pm on Channel 5,...

Popular