Lancer Spy
Lancer Spy is a 1937 American thriller film directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring Dolores Del Rio and George Sanders. Its plot concerns an Englishman who impersonates a German officer and a female German spy who falls in love with him.
| Lancer Spy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Gregory Ratoff |
| Written by | Philip Dunne |
| Based on | novel by Marthe McKenna |
| Produced by | Samuel G. Engel executive Darryl F. Zanuck |
| Starring | Dolores del Río George Sanders Peter Lorre Virginia Field Sig Ruman |
| Cinematography | Barney McGill |
| Edited by | Louis R. Loeffler |
| Music by | Arthur Lange |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
Cast
- Dolores del Río as Dolores Daria Sunnel
- George Sanders as Baron Kurt von Rohback and Lt. Michael Bruce
- Peter Lorre as Maj. Sigfried Gruning
- Virginia Field as Joan Bruce
- Sig Ruman as Lt. Col. Gottfried Hollen
- Joseph Schildkraut as Prince Ferdi zu Schwarzwald
- Maurice Moscovitch as Gen. von Meinhardt
- Lionel Atwill as Col. Fenwick
- Luther Adler as Schratt
- Fritz Feld as Fritz Mueller
- Lester Matthews as Capt. Neville
- Carlos De Valdez as Von Klingen
- Gregory Gaye as Capt. Freymann
- Claude King as Captain
Production
Lancer Spy was based on a story written by Marthe McKenna, a Belgian woman who was a spy for England during World War I. She had previously written the 1932 memoir I Was a Spy, the basis of a 1933 film of the same title.[1]
Gregory Ratoff signed a contract with 20th Century Fox to write, produce and direct. The film was originally to star Michael Whalen[2] in the part that was eventually played by George Sanders.
French actor Germaine Aussey was to have made her American debut in the film but was replaced by Dolores del Río soon after filming began in May 1937.[3][4][5]
Peter Lorre was cast after his success in Think Fast, Mr Moto.[6] Fox bought his contract from the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation.[7]
Colin Clive, who had been cast in the film, collapsed during filming and died.[8]
References
- Shaffer, George (Apr 12, 1937). "Ratoff Writes Another Good Role for Self". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 15.
- Schallert, Edwin (Apr 9, 1937). "GREGORY RATOFF WILL DIRECT ONE FEATURE AND ACT IN ANOTHER: Marion Claire Likely to Play Breen's Mother". Los Angeles Times. p. 17.
- "TWO NEW PICTURES FOR ROLAND DREW". New York Times. Apr 12, 1937. p. 15.
- Schallert, Edwin (May 28, 1937). "DRAMATIC STORY BY FULOP-MILLER PURCHASED TO STAR BOBBY BREEN: United Artists Assembling New Film Units". Los Angeles Times. p. 19.
- "NEW FILM PRODUCTIONS STARTED DURTNG WEEK". Los Angeles Times. May 16, 1937. p. C1.
- DOUGLAS W. CHURCHILL (Apr 18, 1937). "HOLLYWOOD PICKET LINE: The Industry Watches the C. I. O.--Satisfaction--R. Halliburton Flynn". New York Times. p. 169.
- Read, Kendall (26 June 1937). "Around and About in Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. p. A7.
- "Stage and Film Career". The Scotsman. Edinburgh, Scotland. 26 June 1937. p. 17.