L'Espion

Ray Milland is a nuclear physicist who's been selling top secret material to the Russians. His story is told here without dialogue in this very ambitious and rewarding little film. His performance and the film score work well together and keep the viewer's interest. It's amazing how so much can be told without the mechanics of speaking. And, for as many films as I've seen, the chase sequence is one of the most intense I've ever seen, primarily by its use of silence and Ray's intensity. If you've never seen this very unusual film, then you are missing one of the best examples of film noir, buoyed by its distinction of no dialogue, but well makes up for it with its grade-A treatment of the story and its ability to use its surroundings as part of the story. Another Ray Milland winner!

Why haven't I heard of this movie before? Not a single word spoken, yet every detail of the mental torture that Ray Milland endures as a seemingly unwilling Soviet spy is conveyed by his features and demeanor. Film review books call it tame, pretentious, uninspired. I suspect those reviewers (this means you, Lenny Maltin) have never actually watched "The Thief."

This film is notable for not containing a single word of dialogue. Ray Milland plays a U.S. scientist who suffers a crisis of conscience while selling secrets to the Soviets. Partners Greene and Rouse made several very challenging films in the 50s, none more so than this. It's an exercise in "pure" cinema, aided immensely by the creative scoring of Herschell Burke Gilbert. Its fascinating to see a famed Hollywood actor play a role silently

This rather curious and open ended film was something that no major studio back then would have taken a chance on. It fell to Ray Milland and independent producer Harry Popkin to get this project finished and released by United Artists.

Without dialog other elements in the film have to carry the story along and two of them are there. The facial expressions of Ray Milland who is on screen for about 90% of the film are marvelous. The second is the Oscar nominated score from Herschel Burke Gilbert. But the third for silent films are those all important titles inserted where needed so you followed the story where the writer and director wanted to go.

Those titles might have explained Milland's motivations for what he was doing as a scientist who is doubling as a spy. Whatever they were the anguish on Milland's face told you this was not something he was doing willingly. As The Thief was made in 1952 at the height of the Cold War there were certain parameters in how the story had to end and they were followed.

Some things need no dialog however. Rita Gam made her film debut as a slinky and sexy woman in the next apartment. Those looks she gives to Milland and that sexy body language need no words.

The Thief is an interesting and somewhat entertaining film from Milland which while it doesn't succeed totally is still something to be checked out.

THE THIEF (1952) has a fascinating footnote in film history. It is one of the few films with sync sound to be made completely without spoken dialog. It's plot concerns Dr. Allen Fields (Ray Milland) who is selling Government secrets to a foriegn power. He travels from Washington DC to Manhattan to deliver top secret documents. He doesn't know he is being followed by FBI Agents. There is innovative use of sound effects (The Washington DC ambiance is very different from the NYC ambiance) There are three human sounds in the film- two blood-curdling screams, and in a powerful finale scene, acted brillantly by Milland, a guilt ridden cry of anquish. The film did poor box office, as is the case with most gimmick films. These films fascinate cine-philes, but don't do a thing for Mr. and Mrs. Moviegoer. It's poor box office makes this well made thriller hard to catch. It is a shame.