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State Secret casts Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, as an American doctor practicing in London who goes on a goodwill tour behind the Iron Curtain to demonstrate a ew surgical technique.

Fairbanks is wined and dined and feted and then performs the operation and bad for him that he recognizes his patient is the country's dictator.

The secret police in the person of Jack Hawkins try to hold him, but Fairbanks escapes in possession of one of the biggest State Secrets out there. The rest of the film is Fairbanks and his efforts to flee the country.

Fairbanks gives a wonderful portrayal of a trapped man. Not knowing the language is a frightful and almost insurmountable barrier. A meting with Glynis John who is an entertainer who speaks English because her mother was from the United Kingdom is a godsend. Their scenes together as Fairbanks tries to persuade Glynis to help are special.

The atmosphere shown of the omnipresent state is the best thing about State Secret. Another special performance is that of Herbert Lom as a fixer who will help if it suits him for a price.

State Secret is one excellent Cold War drama/

Fairbanks, in his most natural style makes you believe he is a gifted surgeon. He is "kidnapped" by a country to perform a delicate operation on its leader. Things go wrong and, of course, Fairbanks is in danger of being killed to silence his knowledge. I viewed this film a a local theatre in Los Angeles as "State Secret" and later I could see that other writers "borrowed" many of the twists and turns for later productions. Herbert Lom has a nice part and clearly establishes his talent for future films. Jack Hawkins is at his menacing best. Although there are some cute things to laugh at, this film is not a comedy as stated on the cover page, but an exciting chase that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I viewed this film at Cinevent in Columbus, Ohio on Memorial Day weekend, 2001. It is one of Fairbanks's best performances. He is believable as an American physician brought to a eastern European nation under false pretenses. When his patient, the current dictator, dies he is slated to be killed as part of the coverup. He escapes with the unwilling aid of a cabaret singer (Glynis Johns), a stranger who is the only person he can find that speaks English. The story is told in flashback and contains some highly tense moments of an escape over high mountains and a bit of comic relief provided by Herbert Lom. First rate! I hope this film can be released on video or seen on television. It shouldn't be missed.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. has invented a new surgical procedure. He's invited to a European dictatorship to demonstrate it. He discovers in mid-operation his patient is the country's dictator. When the dictator dies, the authorities, in the person of Jack Hawkins, can't let anyone know, so Fairbanks ... escapes and so begins the movie.

It's Sidney Gilliat doing a Hitchcock thriller on his own, and doing it very well, thank you, with a fine cast, with heroine Glynis Johns showing up a third of the way into the movie in a cheap music hall singing "Paper Doll" very badly and Herbert Lom hilariously sleazy as a black-market fixer. There's an exciting mountain-climbing sequence shot in the Dolomites and the entire movie is shot through with a sardonic cynicism that is capped with Miss Johns' closing words to the show.

When you see films of the caliber of 'State Secret' it makes you ask how the industry can 'loose' them for so long between the rare screenings! The credits for this near forgotten classic are masterful. Produced and Directed by the talented team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat (Hitchcock collaborators from way back) this has style that puts some of Hitch's films to shame. Gilliat also adapted the screenplay from prolific writer: Roy Huggins novel. The film moves along at a cracking pace, with a chase across many varied landscapes...night journeys on river barges, over deadly Mountain ranges, through city streets, etc.

The Director of Photography is none other than Award winner Robert Krasker ('The Third Man' - 'El Cid', etc) and assisting him is future feature Director: Guy Green ('James Bond' - 'Remo', etc) The look these professionals create together is first class. If you enjoy fast moving suspense dramas, tinged with wry touches of humour this could be waiting for you to discover (or re-visit)

Cast wise: Douglas Fairbanks Jr is surprisingly good in a mature roll of famous Surgon, framed by foreign agents to perform operation on 'mystery man' with dynamite results! In an early role, the astonishingly 'cute' Glynis Johns is marvelous. Herbert Lom is used to excellent effect as an international con man drawn into a dangerous liaison with the escaping duo. Jack Hawkins, as usual, is totally convincing as the menacing political manipulator. This film journey is filled with creative touches throughout. Find it on DVD (if you can) otherwise scour the TV Guide and don't miss it.

Gem Digital TV in Australia somehow dug it out of the vaults (they probably inherited it in a package deal without being aware what they had - this often happens) then screened it as one of their Sunday afternoon movies. As usual, they presented it in their throw-away, semi-unprofessional manor, with the way too LARGE, lolly 'PINK' station Logo running over the stylish B/W photography. Then proceeded to pepper it with gaudy colour 'pop up' adds, for shows that the audience for this style of movie won't watch in a pink fit! Don't they know...has no one taught them?

While at least they had a superbly re-mastered print with clear image and good contrast, they then ran the sound track through an 'auto level controller' (A.L.C.) so that during the films quieter moments the ALC unit goes off looking for sound that's not even there, leaving the viewer to suffer 'Hiss and Background noise' till someone speaks again. Pitiful. Oh well, at least they did screen it! Bless their little hearts!