Operator 13 (1934)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Richard Boleslawski

Writers:

Robert W. Chambers (stories)
Harvey F. Thew (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

8 June 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance | War

Plot:

Gail Loveless, a spy known as Operator 13 working for the Union and Federal cause during the Civil War...

Plot Keywords:

Spy | Civil War | Firing Squad | Racial Impersonation | Deception

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Marion Davies	...	Gail Loveless
Gary Cooper	...	Captain Jack Gailliard C.S.A.
Jean Parker	...	Eleanor Shackleford
Katharine Alexander	...	Pauline Cushman
Ted Healy	...	'Doctor' Hitchcock
Russell Hardie	...	Lieutenant Gus Littledale
Henry Wadsworth	...	Capt. John Pelham
Douglass Dumbrille	...	General Stuart (as Douglas Dumbrille)
Willard Robertson	...	Captain Cornelius Channing C.S.A.
Fuzzy Knight	...	Pvt. Sweeney (Stuart's groom)
Sidney Toler	...	Major Allen aka Allen Pinkerton
Robert McWade	...	Colonel Sharpe
Marjorie Gateson	...	Mrs. Shackleford
Wade Boteler	...	Officer Gaston C.S.A.
Walter Long	...	Operator 55

Also Known As:

Spy 13

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed

Company:

Cosmopolitan Productions

Trivia:

Curly Howard of the Three Stooges was originally to have appeared in this film.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Captured on Film: The True Story of Marion Davies (2001) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Little Liza Lee

When Marion Comes Marching Home Again

During the United States Civil War, singer Marion Davies (as Gail Loveless) is recruited to become a spy for the North. Darkening her skin and hair, speaking in husky drawl, and codenamed "Operator 13", Ms. Davies becomes the "Negro" maid working for Katharine Alexander (as Pauline "Operator 27" Cushman). While in her African guise, Davies meets handsome young Gary Cooper (as Jack Gailliard), a confederate spy. Believe it or not, romance ensues…

Davies found her niche in a series of fine late 1920s silent comedies. Then, she braved a successful, albeit shaky, transition to talking films. But, by "Operator 13", Davies was back in the inappropriate film rut earlier represented by films like "Janice Meredith". This was the type of film sponsor William Randolph Hearst seemed to want for Davies, and she did not learn how to market herself honestly. It gets better after Davies washes the black paint off her face. George Folsey's photography received an "Academy Award" nomination. And, The Mills Brothers are wonderful.

**** Operator 13 (6/8/34) Richard Boleslawski ~ Marion Davies, Gary Cooper, Jean Parker, Katharine Alexander