STATE SECRET (1950)
Special Features: Introduction by film historian Jon Mirsalis
STATE SECRET is a terrific, dark film noir starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as John Marlowe, a doctor brought to an Eastern European country where he is forced to go on the run with showgirl Lisa (Glynis Johns) when he learns a secret that could bring down the government. He is pursued by commissar Galcon (Jack Hawkins) and a menacing thug (Herbert Lom). This tale of an innocent on the run is based on a novel by Roy Huggins, later the creator of THE FUGITIVE for television and the movies. To prevent political problems, the producers engaged a linguist from London University to create an artificial language for the actors. As Hawkins recalled, the language was grammatically impeccable, but almost unspeakable! Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat were a prolific British writer-director team whose work ranged from crackling spy thrillers like Hitchcock's THE LADY VANISHES (1938) to hilarious comedies like THE BELLES OF ST. TRINIAN'S (1954). Although one of their best, STATE SECRET is seldom seen in the United States. DIR/SCR/PROD Sidney Gilliat, from a novel by Roy Huggins; PROD Frank Launder. UK, 1950, b&w, 97 min. NOT RATED
Digital copy courtesy of Rialto Pictures.
No AFI Member passes accepted.
Run Time: 97 Minutes
Opening Date: Sunday, June 18, 2023
Genre: Film noir