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I Was an American Spy

Play trailer Poster for I Was an American Spy Released Apr 14, 1951 1h 24m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 25% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In this fact-based film, Claire Phillips (Douglas Kennedy) is an American nightclub performer living in Manila, Philippines, who is married to John (Gene Evans), a U.S. soldier. When her husband is killed in combat during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, she is convinced by John Boone (Ann Dvorak), a U.S. secret agent, to assist in collecting and transmitting information to aid the the war effort. However, things take a dark turn for Claire when she's captured by Japanese operatives.
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I Was an American Spy

Critics Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Emotionally powerful low-budget war story. Rated: B- Apr 13, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D More melodramatic infomercial than real film. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/23/23 Full Review Audience Member based on a true story Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I honestly don't know how to rate the movie, but this can be decent viewing for those who want something old-fashioned. The story is true: Claire Phillips, who lives in Manila, falls in love and gets married with her husband, Johnny, but he must serve in the new war that's embroiling as a result of the attacks in Pearl Harbor. He, however, becomes a dead POW. To avenge his death, she becomes a spy by running a nightclub, the place where she smuggles supplies to American POW's through Filipino guerillas. Eventually, the Japanese figure out, and she is imprisoned. But in the end, she escapes and is presented with a medal by the presidential representative for her courage. Yay! It's somewhat boring, but has touches of excitement, romance, and emotion. I actually find the idea intriguing, one working for America amidst the political trappings of Japanese occupation. Plus, Ann Dvorak is a great actress emiting sheer bravura. As I can see, this is surprisingly an obscure film. But, thanks to TCM, this movie will hopefully be better known in the future. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Madame Tsubaki Claire Phillips/Dorothy Fuentes infiltrates Japanese high command and causes trouble for the Axis. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
I Was an American Spy

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Cast & Crew

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Lesley Selander

Director

Ann Dvorak

Claire

Gene Evans

Boone

Douglas Kennedy

Phillips

Richard Loo

Col. Masamoto

Leon Lontoc

Pacio
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I Was an American Spy

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this fact-based film, Claire Phillips (Douglas Kennedy) is an American nightclub performer living in Manila, Philippines, who is married to John (Gene Evans), a U.S. soldier. When her husband is killed in combat during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, she is convinced by John Boone (Ann Dvorak), a U.S. secret agent, to assist in collecting and transmitting information to aid the the war effort. However, things take a dark turn for Claire when she's captured by Japanese operatives.
Director
Lesley Selander
Screenwriter
Samuel Roeca
Distributor
Allied Artists Pictures
Production Co
Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 14, 1951, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 22, 2009
Runtime
1h 24m
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