Captain Carey, U.S.A.
Captain Carey, U.S.A. | |
---|---|
Directed by | Mitchell Leisen |
Written by | Robert Thoeren |
Produced by | Richard Maibaum |
Starring | Alan Ladd Wanda Hendrix Francis Lederer |
Cinematography | John F. Seitz |
Edited by | Alma Macrorie |
Music by | Hugo Friedhofer |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date | February 21, 1950 |
Running time | 82 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Captain Carey, U.S.A. is a 1950 drama film starring Alan Ladd, Wanda Hendrix, and Francis Lederer. An American returns to post-World War II Italy to bring a traitor to justice.
The film was based on the novel No Surrender by Martha Albrand. It was filmed under the title O.S.S. and then the title After Midnight.[1]
The theme song, "Mona Lisa" performed in the film by Charlie Spivak with Tommy Lynn, won the Academy Award for Best Song. It was a #1 hit for Nat King Cole in 1950.
Plot
A group of agents of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (a forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency) is sent to German-occupied Italy during World War II to knock out the German-held Italian railroad system. In accomplishing this mission, most of them are killed because of an inside betrayal.
After the war, one of the survivors, Captain Webster Carey (Alan Ladd), resolves to find the traitor. Captain Carey returns to Orta, near Milan, to find out who betrayed his World War II O.S.S. team and caused the deaths of several villagers. Much to his surprise, his old love Giulia (Wanda Hendrix), whom he thought dead at the hands of the Nazis, is alive and married to a powerful Italian nobleman, Barone Rocco de Greffi (Francis Lederer). The villagers are unfriendly, but Carey persists in his clandestine efforts to flush out the traitor.
Cast
- Alan Ladd as Captain Webster Carey
- Wanda Hendrix as Baronessa Giulia de Greffi
- Francis Lederer as Barone Rocco de Greffi
- Joseph Calleia as Dr. Lunati
- Celia Lovsky as Countess Francesca de Cresci
- Richard Avonde as Count Carlo de Cresci
- Frank Puglia as Luigi
- Luis Alberni as Sandro
- Angela Clarke as Serafina
- Roland Winters as Manfredo Acuto
- Paul Lees as Frank
- Jane Nigh as Nancy
- Russ Tamblyn as Pietro (as Rusty Tamblyn)
- Virginia Farmer as Angelina
- David Leonard as Blind Musician
Production
The film was based on the serial Dishonored. Jonathan Latimer was originally announced as screenwriter and the stars were to be Ray Milland and Alida Valli,with the title to be After Midnight.[2]
Then Alan Ladd was given the lead role, and Lewis Allen meant to direct.[3][4] Eventually Mitchell Leisen was given the job of directing.[5]
Filming started 3 January 1949.[6]
Accolades
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
- 2004: AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs:
References
- ^ Peter J. Levinson, September in the Rain
- ^ PARAMOUNT SEEKS VALLI FOR PICTURE: Studio Would Team Actress With Ray Milland in 'After Midnight,' Albrand Novel By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 01 Oct 1948: 31
- ^ METRO ACQUIRES 'THE JUDAS KISS': Studio Buys Irving Revetch's Story as Possible Vehicle for Heflin or Taylor By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 17 Nov 1948: 33.
- ^ Otto Preminger to Direct Tierney, Conte as Team; Barker Scouts Zoo Stars Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 18 Nov 1948: B9.
- ^ Cowan to Map Marxes' Life Story While Abroad; Hatcher, Wyatt Deals Set Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 27 Nov 1948: 7.
- ^ Unique Musical Feature Slated by W. R. Frank; Sweden Seeking 'Names' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 06 Dec 1948: 27
- ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-07-30.