Confessions of a Nazi Spy (Warner Bros.) (1939)

PUBLICITY Doors ° Lead Stories °® G-Men Barred From Set ‘Nazi Spy’ Made Behind Locked e Players (Lead Story) ‘Nazi Spy’ Film Opening At Strand Friday ‘¢Confessions of a Nazi Spy,’’ the Warner Bros. film dealing with Nazi espionage activities in this country is scheduled to open at the Strand Theatre on Friday. This is the much-awaited film which has been a subject of wide interest ever since Warner Bros. started the production of it, the first really important motion picture document of Nazi espionage activities in America. Mr. (Name), manager of the (Name) Theatre, made arrangements with the producers for showing ‘‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy’’ in this city because he felt that his theatre would not only render a patriotic service in showing a film of this kind, but also because he felt it would make Americans more cognizant of the unbelievable spy menace which exists in our democracy. Because this picture has created a great furore in other key cities throughout the United States and has been playing to packed theatres, Mr. (Name) has arranged his showing schedule of the film to start earlier so that more showings per day can be given. Therefore ‘“Confessions of a Nazi Spy’? will open at ten o’clock on Friday, with continuous performances daily. Anatole Litvak directed the film, which stars Edward G. Robinson, and a brilliant supporting cast including Paul Lukas, Francis Lederer, Lya Lys—famous European film beauty making her American debut—and many others. Although the particular characters and events are fictional, the espionage methods revealed in the film are based on the facts brought out in the recent trials in New York, Los Angeles and the Panama Canal zone. Leon G. Turrou, former F.B.1. agent, who acted as technical advisor on the Warner Bros. photoplay, smashed one of the Nazi spy rings, and his intimate knowledge of the manner in which the spies operate have given reality and authenticity to the production. ‘¢Confessions of a Nazi Spy’’ is a sensational picture in the true sense or the word, because it is a vivid depiction of the menacing under-cover activities fostered in this country by the most dangerous of all the enemies of our democratic institutions—the Nazi regime in Germany. In making the picture, Warner Bros. have used all the facilities at their command to bring the danger of these activities out into the open, and although the story of the film is fictional, there can be no doubt that the dangers are very real. Edward G. Robinson portrays the G-Man who breaks the spy ring and brings four of the members to trial and conviction. Paul Lukas plays the doctor who heads the spy ring, and Lederer portrays a bungling Nazi informer. lLya Lys, whose exquisite blonde beauty and dramatic ability make her one of the top European stars, makes her American film debut in ““Confessions of a Nazi Spy.’’ Star Cast In ‘Nazi Spy’ Edward G. Robinson, Francis Lederer, Paul Lukas and Lya Lys head the cast of ‘‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy,’’ the sensational Warner Bros. drama which will make its local debut on Friday at the Strand Theatre. Anatole Litvak directed and Leon G. Turrou, former G-Man, acted as technical advisor on the production. IN FILM THAT CALLS A SWASTIKA A SWASTIKA Mat 301—45c Featured in "Confessions of a Nazi Spy'' coming to the Strand are (I) Edward G. Robinson, who plays the G-Man who cracks the spy ring; (2) George Sanders, (3) Paul Lukas, (4) Francis Lederer, (5), (6), (7) and (8) are Robert Davis, Henry Victor, Lionel Royce and Sig Rumann, who portray Nazi spies; (9) German-born Lya Lys as a siren. EVEN G-MAN BARRED FROM ‘NAZI SPY' SET lf you think the Warner Bros. Studio was kidding when it announced that the "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" set would be closed to all but persons directly connected with the filming of the picture, just listen to this: The picture, which opens next Friday at the Strand Theatre, went before the cameras on the studio's back lot at 9 a.m. one morning. Four uniformed studio policemen were stationed about a block distant from the set on the four studio streets leading to it. About 9:10 a.m. a tall slender man tried to get on the set, but the policeman wouldn't allow him on without a pass. The man was Leon G. Turrou, former ace G-Man, who broke up the Nazi Spy ring in America, and who acted as technical advisor during production of ''Confessions of a Nazi Spy.’ Extra Showings Daily For ‘Nazi Spy’ Film Because ‘‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy,’’ which opens at the Strand Theatre on Friday, has been playing to packed houses in the other key cities where it has opened, a new showing schedule has been devised for its showing in this city. The Strand will therefore open at ten o’clock on Friday in order to provide for extra performances. The same schedule will be followed for the complete run of the picture. ‘“Confessions of a Nazi’’ stars Edward G. Robinson, Francis Lederer, Paul Lukas and Lya Lys. What Stars Of “Nazi Spy’ Say About Their Parts In Picture Many Anti-Nazi Germans In Cast When a motion picture is finished, the stars who took part in it are usually reluctant to comment on it. They prefer to wait. and see how it will be received by press and public. But in the case of “Confessions of a Nazi Spy,” the sensational expose of Nazi spy activities in the United States, a fictional story based on material brought out in the recent trials in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, the cast demonstrated a vociferous approval of the picture and the important message which it carries to all lovers of democracy. Edward G. Robinson said: “In making ‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy,’ I feel that I am serving my country just as effectively as if I shouldered a gun and marched away to war.” Lya Lys said: “I was born in Berlin, Germany. I personally felt the hand of Nazi persecution, because I refused to make pictures for Hitler. When I was leaving Nazi Germany, I was removed from the train and held in custody for six days. It is plain to understand why I have a personal delight in playing in this picture which I hope will awaken everybody to the scourge of Nazism.” Francis Lederer said: “Even though my role is an unsympathetic one, I was glad to have the opportunity to play my part in awakening the United States to the menace of Nazi propaganda and espionage.” Ferdinand Schumann-Heink said: “I am of German birth. I consider it a great privilege to work in ‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy’ and contribute my humble share toward correcting evil conditions that exist today.” ‘Nazi Spy’ Film Made Behind Locked Doors ‘<Confessions of a Nazi Spy,’’ the sensational Warner Bros. picture coming to the Strand Theatre, represents a complete reversal of Hollywood precedent in more ways than one. In the first place, the motion picture producers in the past have avoided controversial subjects like the plague. But Warners could hardly have chosen a subject packed with more potential dynamite than the spy picture. Then, contrary to all precedent, they literally filmed the picture behind locked doors. No one not directly concerned with the production was allowed on the set. This rule was rigidly adhered to, with no exceptions made for executives of the company or members of the press. Ordinarily, studios are anxious to announce the casts of their pictures. That’s showmanship and good advertising, for every name added to a cast means additional fans at the box office. After the first ten principals had been chosen for ‘‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy,’’ however, Warners clamped down on all casting news and announced that the rest of the players would be known by number instead of name. ‘“Simply a precautionary measure,’’ the studio announced. Still another unusual behind-thescenes feature of the production involved the script. Invariably a studio is anxious—some even demand—that all players know their lines from beginning to end before a picture starts. Only ten instead of the usual 150 scripts for ‘‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy’’ were mimeographed, however. These were given to six of the principals, the director, supervisor and two trusted departmental heads. The rest of the players got only one day’s lines at a time. Thus, they didn’t know the complete story until the picture was completed. ‘Nazi Spy’ Opens Friday ‘¢Confessions of a Nazi Spy,’’ the sensational drama which was inspired by the revelations of Nazi espionage activities brought out in the recent spy trials in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, will be the next feature attraction at the Strand Theatre, starting Friday. Edward G. Robinson is starred in the production. PLAYERS EDWARD G. ROBINSON FRANCIS LEDERER GEORGE SANDERS PAUL LUKAS HENRY O'NEILL LYA LYS And 72 Others © Directed by ANATOLE LITVAK e Screen Play by Milton Krims and John Wexley ® Technical Advisor — Leon G. Turrou, former agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who broke the Nazi Spy ring eee OOOO S50 SSS SSS 060606080893°>008080————Ssen [14]