British Intelligence (film)
Encyclopedia
British Intelligence is a 1940 spy film set in World War I
. It was directed by Terry O. Morse
and starred Boris Karloff
and Margaret Lindsay
. Released in the USA in January 1940, the Warner Bros.
B picture was based on a 1918 play Three Faces East written by Anthony Paul Kelly that was produced on the stage by George M. Cohan
. Three Faces East was filmed in 1926 and 1930. The film was also known as Enemy Agent.
However, she is herself a spy. She is soon recalled to Germany to receive a high honor and undertake a new mission. Posing as a refugee named Frances Hautry, she infiltrates the London household of Arthur Bennett (Holmes Herbert
), an important government official and coincidentally Frank's father. She takes her orders from Valdar (Boris Karloff
), the butler
. However, unbeknownst to her, he is a British double agent
. He later secretly reports to Colonel Yeats (Leonard Mudie
), the head of British Intelligence.
When Bennett's secretary taps out a secret message in code on her typewriter, Yeats recognizes it. Since only Hautry is also in the office at the time, he sets a trap for her. A captured spy named Kurz seemingly escapes from the British and flees to Hautry's bedroom. She hides him in her closet, but then betrays him when Yeats and his men show up. Afterwards, she tells Valdar that she knew "Kurz" was an imposter.
When Frank Bennett unexpectedly shows up on leave, he is surprised to find his former nurse there and under a different name. Hautry is forced to reveal that she is loyal to the British. However, Valdar overhears their conversation.
That night, the British cabinet
meets in Bennett's home. It is the moment Valdar has been waiting for. He forces Hautry at gunpoint down in the cellar, where he has a bomb set to blow the house up. Hautry tells Valdar that she had no choice but to make up a story to allay Frank's suspicions and is loyal to Germany. Convinced when she shows him the award she was given, Valdar finally reveals that he is Strendler.
Fortunately, Valdar has been under surveillance. Yeats and his men rush to the cellar door. When Valdar escapes through the coal shute, Hautry reveals her true allegiance by unlocking the door and informing Yeats about the bomb. Valdar rushes to his hideout to transmit the stolen British plans for the spring offensive, but ironically a German Zeppelin
air raid bombs the place and kills him and his confederates.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It was directed by Terry O. Morse
Terry O. Morse
Terry O. Morse was an American film director and editor.Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Morse began his career as a film editor in 1927, and early in his career was credited as Terrell Morse, and later Terry Morse...
and starred Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt , better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor.Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein , Bride of Frankenstein , and Son of Frankenstein...
and Margaret Lindsay
Margaret Lindsay
Margaret Lindsay was an American film actress. Her time as a Warner Bros. contract player during the 1930s was particularly productive...
. Released in the USA in January 1940, the Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
B picture was based on a 1918 play Three Faces East written by Anthony Paul Kelly that was produced on the stage by George M. Cohan
George M. Cohan
George Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
. Three Faces East was filmed in 1926 and 1930. The film was also known as Enemy Agent.
Plot
A master German spy named Franz Strendler has cost the British dearly. In desperation, they send for their best agent, currently undercover in Germany. Pilot Frank Bennett (Bruce Lester) is sent to pick him up, but the Germans are forewarned and Bennett is shot down. Luckily, he survives and rescued by friendly soldiers. While he recovers in a hospital, he is tended by a pretty nurse, Helene Von Lorbeer (Margaret Lindsay).However, she is herself a spy. She is soon recalled to Germany to receive a high honor and undertake a new mission. Posing as a refugee named Frances Hautry, she infiltrates the London household of Arthur Bennett (Holmes Herbert
Holmes Herbert
Holmes Herbert was an English character actor who appeared in Hollywood films from 1915 to 1952.Born as 'Horace Jenner', Holmes Herbert emigrated to the United States in 1912. He was the first son of Ned Herbert , who worked as and actor/comedian in the English Theatre...
), an important government official and coincidentally Frank's father. She takes her orders from Valdar (Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt , better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor.Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein , Bride of Frankenstein , and Son of Frankenstein...
), the butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
. However, unbeknownst to her, he is a British double agent
Double agent
A double agent, commonly abbreviated referral of double secret agent, is a counterintelligence term used to designate an employee of a secret service or organization, whose primary aim is to spy on the target organization, but who in fact is a member of that same target organization oneself. They...
. He later secretly reports to Colonel Yeats (Leonard Mudie
Leonard Mudie
Leonard Mudie was a British-born character actor whose career ran many decades.His first film appearance was in 1921, and his last on-screen performance was in the Star Trek classic TV series....
), the head of British Intelligence.
When Bennett's secretary taps out a secret message in code on her typewriter, Yeats recognizes it. Since only Hautry is also in the office at the time, he sets a trap for her. A captured spy named Kurz seemingly escapes from the British and flees to Hautry's bedroom. She hides him in her closet, but then betrays him when Yeats and his men show up. Afterwards, she tells Valdar that she knew "Kurz" was an imposter.
When Frank Bennett unexpectedly shows up on leave, he is surprised to find his former nurse there and under a different name. Hautry is forced to reveal that she is loyal to the British. However, Valdar overhears their conversation.
That night, the British cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
meets in Bennett's home. It is the moment Valdar has been waiting for. He forces Hautry at gunpoint down in the cellar, where he has a bomb set to blow the house up. Hautry tells Valdar that she had no choice but to make up a story to allay Frank's suspicions and is loyal to Germany. Convinced when she shows him the award she was given, Valdar finally reveals that he is Strendler.
Fortunately, Valdar has been under surveillance. Yeats and his men rush to the cellar door. When Valdar escapes through the coal shute, Hautry reveals her true allegiance by unlocking the door and informing Yeats about the bomb. Valdar rushes to his hideout to transmit the stolen British plans for the spring offensive, but ironically a German Zeppelin
Zeppelin
A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship pioneered by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century. It was based on designs he had outlined in 1874 and detailed in 1893. His plans were reviewed by committee in 1894 and patented in the United States on 14 March 1899...
air raid bombs the place and kills him and his confederates.
Cast
- Boris KarloffBoris KarloffWilliam Henry Pratt , better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor.Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein , Bride of Frankenstein , and Son of Frankenstein...
as Valdar, aka Franz Strendler - Margaret LindsayMargaret LindsayMargaret Lindsay was an American film actress. Her time as a Warner Bros. contract player during the 1930s was particularly productive...
as Helene Von Lorbeer, aka Frances Hautry - Bruce LesterBruce LesterBruce Lester was a South African-born English film actor with over 60 screen appearances to his credit between 1934 and his retirement from acting in 1958. Lester's career divided into two distinct periods...
as Frank Bennett - Leonard MudieLeonard MudieLeonard Mudie was a British-born character actor whose career ran many decades.His first film appearance was in 1921, and his last on-screen performance was in the Star Trek classic TV series....
as Colonel James Yeats - Holmes HerbertHolmes HerbertHolmes Herbert was an English character actor who appeared in Hollywood films from 1915 to 1952.Born as 'Horace Jenner', Holmes Herbert emigrated to the United States in 1912. He was the first son of Ned Herbert , who worked as and actor/comedian in the English Theatre...
as Arthur Bennett - Austin Fairman as George Bennett