They Made Her a Spy

"They Made Her a Spy" is from that landmark year 1939 -- the year of so many great films. This isn't one of them. It's a B movie from RKO.

Sally Eilers stars as a young woman whose brother is a victim of sabotage, which has been rampant. She volunteers to do undercover work to find out who is feeding plans and secrets to the enemy. Now, I saw "Carve My Name With Pride," a real-life story, and I know what the government puts you through in order for someone to become a spy. With this woman, she becomes a spy immediately without so much as a background check.

Pretending to be involved with the other side, she is directed to one of the leaders, a Herr Krull, starts delivering results, and earns his trust. That takes up about ten minutes of screen time. But some people are still suspicious.

Fritz Lieber plays Dr. Krull. I'm assuming this is the noted Shakespearian stage actor Fritz Lieber Sr., father of the science fiction writer Fritz Lieber Jr.

There isn't much of a plot here; it seems like Irene no sooner becomes a spy that things come to a boil, the movie is that short. It's not very impressive. Some familiar faces among the supporting players -- Charles Halton, Addison Richards, a few others.

Probably pounded out in five days.