A British officer poses as a traitor in order to infiltrate a team of terrorists who are sabotaging ships, while a seductive cabaret dancer is working for the mysterious genius who runs the enemy spy ring.
Acting
Von Stroheim's ice-cold menace steals every frame he's in.
Production
Gibraltar location shooting adds rare authenticity for 1938.
Costume
Mercedes's cabaret looks are serving dangerous glamour.
Director
Fyodor Otsep
Viviane Romance
Mercedes Garcia
Roger Duchesne
Lt. Robert Jackson
Erich von Stroheim
Eric Marson
Yvette Lebon
Maud Wilcox
Jean Périer
Gen. Wilcox
André Roanne
Le Lt. Français
Philippe Richard
Henri Crémieux
Jacques Henley
Odette Talazac
Angelina / Dresser
Georges Paulais
Madeleine Suffel
Nelly / Manicurist (as Suffel)
André Nicolle
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot on location in Gibraltar during rising pre-WWII tensions, the film doubles as British military propaganda disguised as entertainment.
Director Fyodor Otsep fled Russia after the Revolution and made this in France before Hollywood called—explaining the weirdly international spy sensibility.
FR
