The Sergeant and the Spy

"Sergeant and the Spy" was apparently made as a TV movie by Princess Pictures. That may have been one of the last film companies from Poverty Row. But, for a 1954 production, this film's quality isn't even as good as that of most of the "B" films I've seen from the 1930s and 1940s.

The movie suffers in all the technical areas. The music was horrible for the plot. The idea of the plot isn't bad – one could see something like that being made into a good comedy with Cary Grant and Claudette Colbert. But, it would need an all-new script. This one is quite terrible.

There are a few instances where the efforts at humor work – but very few. For the most part, the attempts at humor come off as rather lame. The leads, Richard Ney and Janis Carter, are mostly supporting actors who were in a few good films of note. But otherwise, they made some Poverty Row films of lower quality. Each had a career that covered a couple decades, and both left show biz after a few years in TV.

One can't blame the cast for trying to make it in Hollywood, and Ney and Carter's performances here are OK, for the roles and script they had. But, in a movie that is so bad in all other aspects, their futures in films weren't enhanced by this one. Incidentally – the IMDb entry doesn't show that this ever aired on a major TV network. All it says is that it's release date was April 5, 1954.

I recommend a pass on this one, even if you can get it free. If you'd like to see Ney or Carter in some good roles in good films, check their filmography lists under their IMDb biogs. I liked Ney in the 1960 mystery-thriller, "Midnight Lace," that starred Rex Harrison and Doris Day. He was also good in the 1947 mystery, "Ivy," with Joan Fontaine and Herbert Marshall. Ney played in several TV series of the 1950s and early 1960s. He then went on to a successful career on Wall Street.

Janis Carter left show biz after marrying a second time and settling down to a life of cultural pursuits. She had good roles in a few very good films, including comedies, mysteries and dramas. She was in the 1942 comedy, "Girl Trouble," with Don Ameche, Joan Bennett and Billie Burke; and starred in a very good film noir "B" movie, "Night Editor" in 1946 with William Gargan. She co-starred with William Holden in the 1947 mystery, "Framed." She had good supporting roles in two 1949 comedies. The first was a musical comedy, "Slightly French," with Dorothy Lamour and Don Ameche. The second was "Miss Grant Takes Richmond," with Lucille Ball and William Holden. In 1951, Carter starred with John Wayne in the war film, "Flying Leathernecks."

Sergeant Richard Ney is stationed in Milan. His colonel wants a letter carried to London, so he gives Ney a furlough with instructions. Ney and his buddy go by way of Paris and promptly lose the bag the letter is in, Ney heads on to London while his friend stays in Paris to find the letter. Ney meets Janis Carter ont he way.

At 61 minutes, this movie is badly acted, badly padded, and badly shot -- cinematographer Bruno Stephan stops trying to shoot at normal angles halfway through. A sequence in which Ney tries to find the missing bag -- apparently all luggage in Paris is identical -- is supposed to be humorous, but at about 15 minute isn't. Miss Carter is supposed to be French, but doesn't bother trying to essay an accent, unlike Ney, who occasionally tries a mid-Atlantic one. Dull, obvious and something you should avoid.

The consensus that Richard Ney was a louse appears to be consistent. Professionally, it is appropriate for both actors to stay on the set, when only one has their 'close-up'. It provides the other actor with someone to interact with and to talk to. Not Ney. He would leave the set, leaving the other actor, standing alone. This conduct is considered to be unprofessional.

In addition, for no apparent reason, Ney would laps into a British accent. It would be inappropriate for the part he was plying. On the first day of shooting of this film, the Director cautioned John Steinmetz, that this might happen, if Ney became bored or upset. Although Steinmetz was experienced in Radio, theater and television, he was not acquainted with Film culture. Steinmetz was a "Method" trained actor but perplexed to react to Ney's behavior.

Steinmetz was puzzled why the producers and the director were so delighted when he auditioned. If you watch the first few minutes, you will see that he is the only one to bring energy and interest to this otherwise boring film.