FBI agent Ed Renard investigates the pre-war espionage activities of the German-American Bund.FBI agent Ed Renard investigates the pre-war espionage activities of the German-American Bund.FBI agent Ed Renard investigates the pre-war espionage activities of the German-American Bund.
- Awards
- 4 wins
- Mrs. Liza Kassell
- (as Celia Sibelius)
- Dr. Julius Gustav Krogman
- (as Sig Rumann)
- Max Helldorf
- (as Hans von Twardowski)
- Johann Westphal
- (as John Voigt)
- Captain Richter
- (as Frederick Vogeding)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to the article "Hollywood Goes to War" by Colin Shindler in the film history tome "The Movie": "Warner Brothers, who had made the one explicitly anti-Nazi film of the [US] pre-war period (i.e., this film) were unofficially told by the [US] government not to make any more such pictures. In April 1940, the news filtered back to Hollywood that several Polish exhibitors who had shown the film had been hanged in the foyers of their own cinemas."
- GoofsThere is a large sign on a fence reading, "Fort Wentworth Base Hospital". The Army does not refer to its installations as "bases". A correct sign would have read "Post Hospital".
- Quotes
Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels: There will be slight change in our methods. From now on, National Socialism in the United States must wrap itself in the American flag. It must appear to be a defense of Americanism. But at the same time, our aim must always be to discredit conditions there in the United Sates. And in this way make life in Germany admired and wished for. Racial and religious hatred must be fostered on the basis of American-Aryanism. Classism must be encouraged in a way that the labor and the middle classes will become confused and antagonistic. In the ensuing chaos, we will be able to take control.
- Alternate versionsFor the 1940 re-release, Warner Bros. added footage showing the devastation inflicted on Norway, Holland and Belgium, those countries then occupied by Germany. That footage is included in the print shown on Turner Classic Movies.
- ConnectionsFeatured in War Comes to America (1945)
Nutshell; Some German-Americans felt an attachment to their Fatherland at the outbreak of the war, and some bought into the narrative and became Nazi sympathizers. Schneider (Francis Lederer) is one of those. He is inspired by the speeches of Dr. Kassell (Paul Lukas) and becomes a spy - more of a messenger - for a local subversive Nazi group. He is discovered by the FBI (Edw. G. Robinson), loses his nerve and informs on the group. Any more of the plot will spoil the story.
The picture is related in semi-documentary style which gives it a patina of authenticity and is directed by Hollywood veteran Anatole Litvak, who adds the required tension and who made several noteworthy noir and crime dramas in his career. Lederer and Lukas supply the villains and Robinson the hero in this surprisingly good rendition of a story of troublesome times to come for America.
- GManfred
- Jan 25, 2017
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Storm over America
- Filming locations
- San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA(Coast Guard flying boat scene)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,500,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1