Captain Carey, U.S.A.

Captain Carey, U.S.A. is a 1950 American crime film noir directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Alan Ladd and Wanda Hendrix. An American returns to post–World War II Italy to bring a traitor to justice.

Captain Carey, U.S.A.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMitchell Leisen
Produced byRichard Maibaum
Screenplay byRobert Thoeren
Based onAfter Midnight
by Martha Albrand
StarringAlan Ladd
Music byHugo Friedhofer
CinematographyJohn F. Seitz
Edited byAlma Macrorie
Production
company
Paramount Pictures
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • February 21, 1950 (1950-02-21)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1,625,000[1]

The film was based on the novel No Surrender by Martha Albrand. It was filmed under the title O.S.S. and then the title After Midnight.[2]

The theme song, "Mona Lisa", was performed in the film by Charlie Spivak with Tommy Lynn. Jay Livingston and Ray Evans won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was a #1 hit for Nat King Cole in 1950.

Plot

A group of agents of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (a forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency) is sent to German-occupied Italy during World War II to knock out the German-held Italian railroad system. In accomplishing this mission, most of them are killed because of an inside betrayal.

After the war, one of the survivors, Captain Webster Carey (Alan Ladd), resolves to find the traitor. Captain Carey returns to Orta, near Milan, to find out who betrayed his World War II O.S.S. team and caused the deaths of several villagers. Much to his surprise, his old love Giulia (Wanda Hendrix), whom he thought dead at the hands of the Nazis, is alive and married to a powerful Italian nobleman, Barone Rocco de Greffi (Francis Lederer). The villagers are unfriendly, but Carey persists in his clandestine efforts to flush out the traitor.

Cast

Production

The film was based on the serial Dishonored. Jonathan Latimer was originally announced as screenwriter and the stars were to be Ray Milland and Alida Valli, with the title to be After Midnight.[3]

Then Alan Ladd was given the lead role, and Lewis Allen meant to direct.[4][5] Eventually Mitchell Leisen was given the job of directing.[6]

Filming started 3 January 1949.[7]

Accolades

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

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References
  1. "Top Grosses of 1950". Variety. January 3, 1951. p. 58.
  2. Peter J. Levinson, September in the Rain
  3. Brady, Thomas F. (1 October 1948). "Paramount Seeks Valli for Picture: Studio Would Team Actress With Ray Milland in 'After Midnight,' Albrand Novel". New York Times. p. 31. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  4. Brady, Thomas F. (17 November 1948). "Metro Acquires 'The Judas Kiss': Studio Buys Irving Revetch's Story as Possible Vehicle for Heflin or Taylor". New York Times. p. 33. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  5. Schallert, Edwin (18 November 1948). "Otto Preminger to Direct Tierney, Conte as Team; Barker Scouts Zoo Stars". Los Angeles Times. p. B9.
  6. Schallert, Edwin (27 November 1948). "Cowan to Map Marxes' Life Story While Abroad; Hatcher, Wyatt Deals Set". Los Angeles Times. p. 7.
  7. Schallert, Edwin (6 December 1948). "Unique Musical Feature Slated by W. R. Frank; Sweden Seeking 'Names'". Los Angeles Times. p. 27.
  8. "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-07-30.
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