Spotlight

Spotlight Date: 14-September-08
Spoiler Rating: Medium

I See a Dark Stranger (1946)

It is surprising that I See a Dark Stranger (an ill-fitting title) was released so soon after World War II ended in Europe. Its heroine, Bridie Quilty, is an Irish woman who volunteers to work for the Nazis! Apparently the studio felt that since the movie smacks of romantic comedy and Bridie is introduced as "a very strange little character," her reasons might provide an excuse. These reasons are a hatred of Britain for years of Irish subjugation coupled with the impetuous naivete of youth.

It is equally surprising to see a young Deborah Kerr in the role of Bridie, since she usually appears refined and mature when lighting up the silver screen. But she is utterly convincing as the callow hothead who leaves the boonies on her 21st birthday and hastens to Dublin to join the I.R.A. Bridie was raised on the tall tales of her exceedingly patriotic father and believes that a life not spent fighting the British is wasted. After her dream of becoming a soldier for Eire is quashed, she turns to the Germans as the obvious channel for anti-Anglo activity. Following a spy for the Reich (Raymond Huntley) to England, she gets a job at an inn near where another spy is being held prisoner. Her job, at which she lacks finesse, is to flirt with soldiers and keep her ears open for intelligence. So far, so espionage-y.

When a British officer arrives at the inn claiming to be on leave, Bridie is ordered to respond to his advances and keep him out of the way while the prisoner escapes with his friends. The officer is played by the ever-enchanting Trevor Howard, and he introduces a lighter tone. Despite Bridie's strange behavior, he falls head over heels and pursues her as she sinks deeper into dangerous intrigue. Disposing of corpses, negotiating coded meetings on trains, eluding agents of the Axis and Allies while fleeing to the Isle of Man: Bridie does it all, developing both a conscience and a trust in her suitor along the way. Her awkwardness is rather endearing, as are the intimate portrayals and unimposing suspense of this film.

Copyright © 2008 The Jujube (M. I. Kim). All rights reserved.