CAPTAIN CAREY

US, 1951, 83 minutes, Black and white.
Alan Ladd, Francis Lederer, Wanda Hendrix, Joseph Calleia.
Directed by Mitchell Leisen.

Captain Carey U.S.A. (After Midnight) is an entertaining thriller, an Alan Ladd vehicle. Ladd appeared in a film called O.S.S. Here he is an O.S.S. officer who experiences betrayal during the war in North Italy. After the war he returns to Italy to unravel a mystery about who betrayed him and his friends. The plot also involved local politics, art thefts. Ladd acquits himself in the usual style. There are some interesting Italian characters portrayed by Hollywood character actors and actresses. The heroine is Wanda Hendrix, popular in features at this period.

Direction is by Mitchell Leisen, perhaps more at home in musicals, comedies and dramas. The theme song, 'Mona Lisa', won the Oscar for the Best Song of 1949. Entertaining of its kind.

1. An entertaining thriller? World War Two in North Italy? The aftermath of the war? Politics? Betrayal? The film as a mystery?

2. Black and white photography, the re-creation of Italy? War sequences? The musical score? 'Mona Lisa' - and its incorporation into ,the plot as a warning theme?

3. The focus on Captain Carey? popularity at the time? Later? The film as an Alan Ladd vehicle?

4. The experience of the war: the OSS officers in the castle, their being hidden, communications with the outside, the support of the de Greffi family? Julia and her help? Her love for Carey? The betrayal, the coming of the Nazis, the final fight-out, Frank's death? Carey's wounds? His thinking that Julia was dead?

5. His recuperation after the war? Aimlessness? Job? Possible marriage? His discovery of the painting? His linking it to the castle and the betrayal? His quest?

6. Carey's return to North Italy, the people's hostile reaction? The background of the reprisals? Memories of the betrayal? Mario and his being killed by the mob? - His widow and son and their stigma? The welcome by the doctor? The de Greffi family and their memories? Carey's discovery that Julia was still alive, that she had married Baron Rocco de Greffi? His decision to stay and unravel the mystery?

7. The various action adventures: the interview with the members of the family, with the doctor, Luigi and his murder, the search in Milan, the acrobats and the fight? The build-up to the confrontation with the Baron?

8. The explanation of the mystery: the getting back of the youngest son from the German prison, Julia and her being trapped into marrying the Baron, the Countess and her knowing what had happened, - the Baron and his political ambitions, using the stolen paintings to finance his political campaign?

9. Carey's confrontation with the villains, the final fights, the death of the Baron7

10. The doctor and his friendship? Under suspicion? Mario and his friendship with Carey? The accordion-player and the playing of 'Mona Lisa'? Mario's widow and son? The son hearing the accusation against Julia? The build-up to the confrontation with the crowd? The clearing of their name?

11. The de Greffi family: the Countess and her power, friendship with Carey, knowledge of betrayals in the family? Rocce and his political campaign, corrupt? Julia and her marriage, her being trapped to support her husband?

12. The gallery of interesting characters for a melodrama and action thriller? Themes of American presence during the war? The OSS? The Italian families and the Nazis? Loyalties and betrayal? Postwar rackets?