Reporter Homer Smith accidently draws Marcia Warren into his mission to stop Nazis from bombing Allied Conwoys with robot-planes.
Acting
Ethel Waters steals every scene she's in—Oscar-deserving, Oscar-snubbed.
Direction
Van Dyke's 'one-take wonder' efficiency keeps this absurd train moving.
Director
W.S. Van Dyke
Jeanette MacDonald
Marcia Warren
Robert Young
Homer Smith, aka Juniper Jones
Ethel Waters
Cleona Jones, Marcia's Maid
Reginald Owen
Philo Cobson
Grant Mitchell
Mr. O.H.P. Boggs
Lionel Atwill
Teutonic Gentleman
Eduardo Ciannelli
Ahmed Ben Hassan (as Edward Ciannelli)
Mitchell Lewis
Ludwig
Dooley Wilson
Hector
Cecil Cunningham
Mme. Laruga
Mona Barrie
Mrs. Morrison
Rhys Williams
Strange man
Dennis Hoey
Colonel Woodhue
Larry Nunn
Bernie
Bert Roach
Sleepy man (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ethel Waters was one of Hollywood's highest-paid Black performers in 1942, yet still relegated to maid roles—her talent transcended the era's racism.
This was W.S. Van Dyke's final film—he died two months after release, capping a career known for 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mercury' speed.
US
