Intrigue (1947)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Edwin L. Marin

Writers:

George F. Slavin (screenplay) and
Barry Trivers (screenplay)

Release Date:

6 December 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

Cast

George Raft	...	Brad Dunham
June Havoc	...	Mme. Tamara Baranoff
Helena Carter	...	Linda Parker, alias Linda Arnold
Tom Tully	...	Marc Andrews
Marvin Miller	...	Ramon Perez
Dan Seymour	...	Karidian
Jay C. Flippen	...	Mike, the bartender (as J.C. Flippen)
Philip Ahn	...	Louie Chin (as Phillip Ahn)
Charles Lane	...	Hotel Desk Clerk
Marc Krah	...	Nicco
Nancy Hsueh	...	Mia, orphan girl
Nan Wynn	...	Dinner Club Singer ['Intrigue']
Peter Chong	...	Editor
Michael Ansara	...	Ramon's Radio Man
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Philson Ahn	...	Chinese Official (uncredited)
Reginald Billado	...	Air Force Pilot at Bar (uncredited)
Kenneth Chuck	...	Chinese Boy (uncredited)
Gordon Clark	...	Hotel Cigar Stand Clerk (uncredited)
Hassan Ezzat	...	Karidian's Henchman (uncredited)
Paul Fierro	...	Warehouse Lead Thug (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Table Extra in Bar (uncredited)
Bob Gilbert	...	Karidian's Henchman (uncredited)
Joe Gray	...	Hotel Guest (uncredited)
Edna Holland	...	Miss Carr (uncredited)
Wei F. Hsueh	...	Hospital Doctor (uncredited)
Hassan Khayyam	...	Karidian's Henchman (uncredited)
David Leonard	...	Headwaiter (uncredited)
Leon Lontoc	...	Mechanic (uncredited)
Ronald Louie	...	Chinese Boy (uncredited)
Marya Marco	...	Ling (uncredited)
Alex Montoya	...	Karidian's Henchman (uncredited)
Rodd Redwing	...	Spy in Editor's Office (uncredited)
Al Rhein	...	Karidian's Henchman (uncredited)
Stan Ross	...	Warehouse Bit Thug (uncredited)
Hayward Soo Hoo	...	Chinese Boy (uncredited)
Phil Taylor	...	Eddie Lane (uncredited)
Michael Visaroff	...	Ship's Captain (uncredited)
Richard Wang	...	Chinese Boy (uncredited)
Ralph E. Winters	...	Air Force Pilot at Bar (uncredited)
Jean Wong	...	Hospital Nurse (uncredited)
Victor Sen Yung	...	Western Union Clerk (uncredited)

Directed by
Edwin L. Marin

Writing credits
George F. Slavin		(screenplay) (as George Slavin) and
Barry Trivers		(screenplay)

Produced by
Samuel Bischoff	....	producer

Cinematography by
Lucien N. Andriot		(as Lucien Androit)

Film Editing by
George M. Arthur		(as George Arthur)

Art Direction by
Arthur Lonergan

Set Decoration by
Robert Priestley

Costume Design by
Peter Tuesday		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Robert Cowan	....	makeup artist
Ann Locker	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Ben Hersh	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Joseph Depew	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Joseph I. Kane	....	sound
William H. Lynch	....	sound

Music Department
Louis Forbes	....	musical director

Production Companies

• Star Films Inc.

Distributors

• United Artists (1947) (USA) (theatrical)
• Favorite Films (1952) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #12578) | UK:PG

Company:

Star Films Inc.

Quotes:

Brad Dunham: I want a pack of American cigarettes.
Hotel Cigar Stand Clerk: Sorry, but we're all out.
Brad Dunham: How much are they when you're all out?
Hotel Cigar Stand Clerk: Ten dollars.

Shining light on an ugly business

Though not the greatest film by a long shot, the earnestness in bringing to the foreground the nasty underbelly of the black market in post-war Asia is a major redeeming value of "Intrigue." That innocent people starved while criminals prospered is a fact, and still occurs, unfortunately.

The story is told through the plot line of an American ex-military pilot in Shanghai. Brad Dunham (George Raft) along with three other flyers during World War II were court martialed and kicked out, accused of black market activity. The unjust shame has taken its toll, and Brad's three friends have died, including one by suicide. Brad himself now hangs out in Shanghai and has adapted to his infamy by turning to trade of which he was accused - smuggling. Meanwhile, his journalist pal Marc Andrews (Tom Tully) and the sister (Helena Carter) of one of the dead pilots are seeking to find the truth.

Andrews' bigger story, of course, is the depth of damage done by the black market in China. Little does he know that Brad has joined forces with the dishy boss (June Havoc) of the main smuggling ring. Meanwhile Brad becomes exposed to that dark side by visiting children at an orphanage and seeing the homeless, starving people in the streets. Brad's better side does not have to fight very hard to gain the upper hand, but the challenge is to make right out his wrongs.

The direction is rarely inspired. Though there are a few nice bits of dialogue, the writing has an unfortunate trend toward the precious. Raft's relationship with either woman is not all that interesting. (There seems more reality in his male relationships and his interaction with the children.) It would have been a big improvement had the music in general been more honest to the setting. And yes, there is some stereotype in the Chinese-ness, but it is not the insulting subservience we see so much of in the Hollywood of the day. Plus we are briefly blessed by the presence of Peter Chong as a courageous editor.

Tully has the most passionate role as the voice of justice and social responsibility, and he's very good. It's a rather idealized picture of a journalist, but that's what people really want to see, not some boozing sellout. Raft, too, when free from the film noir elements, is earnest in the real theme of the picture. It's those film noir elements that seem to stiffen him and make the action implausible.

Still, the main subject of the film gives it human importance.