Le guêpier

"Walk East on Beacon" is a 1952 film starring George Murphy, about a G-man after a Communist sleeper cell. Set in Boston, it's a dry, unexciting look at police procedure, which we all know is plodding to begin with.

Narrated by Westbrook Van Vorhees, the film uses a documentary style often used for this type of film in the '50s. It usually signals an unexciting film, which this is.

George Murphy wasn't a great actor, but he was certainly charming. He isn't able to use much of his charm in this. The theme of the film isn't uncommon and has been better done.

The Boston locations were fun, but that's about it. If you're looking for thrills, go elsewhere.

PLOT: Commy spies attempt to gain secrets.

a docu-drama style movie~ This starts as the FBI receive a hot trip about a Communist cell in Boston. WE see the newly arrived KGB contact played by Karl Stepanek who urges the spies to even more ruthless means to get secrets. Finley Currie as the Professor Kefer who is being black mailed by the spies with his son being captive in Berlin by the REDS. MADE with the cooperation of the FBI. Some of the men are actual FBI agents. BASED on story by J Edgar Hoover himself the Crime of the Century a short story in the Readers Digest. BETTER than I expected. Moves along very well and the ADDED "dedication" of the spies to the RED commy cause at times is comical and interesting. MADE at time of the RED SCARE (COMMUNIST) days of the 1950s. I give this 7 out of 10 for interesting COMMY spies inside the USA. Also recommend is the HOUSE on 92nd STREET.

This is definitely not a "hysterical anti-communist screed" but a plodding 1950's manhunt story with Westbrook Van Vorhees as the narrator.It would be simple to ignore the ineffective demagoguery of Joe McCarthy as based on fiction, but the U.S.S.R. did aggressively spy on the U.S. and other allies during and after W.W.2 and its party organization and members were totally controlled by Moscow. This whole picture was shot on location but it lacks the punch of such other realistic films as CALLING NORTHSIDE 777, BOOMERANG, IRON CURTAIN etc.

Murphy wasn't much of an actor and comes off as bland as he was when the host of MGM PARADE.

WALK EAST ON BEACON! Is a thriller from 1952 that feels like it was made as a propaganda piece for the FBI. Hoover features in archive footage and from what we know about the communist witch hunts of the era it all feels more than a little queasy. The story involves the usual heroic troupe of FBI agents who are hunting for a sleeper cell of Russian agents working out of Boston. The cast are competent but the film sort of plods along at its own speed without ever truly engaging the senses or indeed the imagination. While it's nice to see a film not set in New York or Los Angeles for once, this really doesn't have all that much to offer.

"Walk East on Beacon!" is a product of the times. Following WWII, the good will between the US and USSR bottomed out quickly and instead of being friends, the Soviets took over Eastern Europe and parts of East Asia. In response, the US became very paranoid about communism and the notion of communists infiltrating the county....so a movie like this isn't the least bit surprising. Some of the movies are fun to watch...some, like this one, are surprisingly ordinary.

The film is about an attempt by communist moles to capture a top scientist and force him to work for the USSR. Professor Kafer (Finlay Currie) is worried because his son disappeared. Apparently, the communists have kidnapped him and say they'll return him IF the Professor cooperates. Fortunately, American FBI agents are on the case and hope to not only rescue the son but break up this network of spies.

The story was interesting. But it also was surprisingly low energy considering the subject matter. Also, having George Murphy anchor the film didn't help, as he always seemed more passive than most actors....and here he gives a typically bland performance. Overall, not a bad film....but I would have expected more fireworks considering the topic.