The Fallen Sparrow

Director: Richard Wallace

Overview

In this film, Kit is a war-scarred veteran of the Spanish Civil War who possesses some information vital to the Nazis. Unable to torture the information out of him during his wartime stay in a concentration camp, undercover Nazi agents trail Kit back to the United States.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/05/2009
UPC:	0883316165294
Original Release:	1943
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:34:00
Sales rank:	25,621

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

John Garfield	John 'Kit' McKittrick
Maureen O'Hara	Toni Donne
Walter Slezak	Dr. Skaas
Patricia Morison	Barby Taviton
Martha O'Driscoll	Whitney Hamilton
Bruce Edwards	Ab Parker
John Banner	Anton
John Miljan	Insp. Tobin
Sam Goldenberg	Prince Francois de Namur
Hugh Beaumont	Otto Skaas
George Lloyd	Sgt. Moore
Russ Powell	Priest,Priest
James Farley	Bartender
Lee Phelps	Cop
Charles Lung	Carlo
Rosina Galli	Mama
Martin Faust	Chef, Carlo's Cafe
Lillian West	Receptionist
Miles Mander	Dr. Gudmundson
Edith Evanson	Nurse
Bud Geary	Cab Caller
William Edmunds	Papa
Stella Le Saint	Woman in Street
Nestor Paiva	Jake
Jack Carr	Danny
Jane Woodworth	Bit
Patti Brill	Bit
Margie Stewart	Bit
Margaret Landry	Bit
Mary Halsey	Bit
Andre Charlot	Pete
Eric Wilton	Butler
Erford Gage	Roman
Joseph King	Desk Sergeant
Al Rhein	Man
Fely Franquelli	Gypsy Dancer
Mike Lally	Taxi Driver
Rita Gould	Dot
Billy Mitchell	Porter
Babe Green	G-Man
George Sherwood	G-Man
Russell Wade	Flower Clerk
Stanley Price	Caterer
Bobby Barber	le serveur
Symona Boniface	Guest
James Conaty	Actor
Patricia Morrison	Actor
Roy Webb	Composer

Technical Credits

Warren Duff

Robert Fellows	Producer
Vernon L. Walker	Special Effects,Special Effects
Warren Duff	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
James G. Stewart	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

Although it suffers from a muddled script, The Fallen Sparrow emerges as a more than decent little spy thriller mixed with film noir. That Sparrow ultimately triumphs over its often-vague screenplay is a testament to the towering central performance of John Garfield. One of the era's most intense actors, Garfield tended to throw himself wholeheartedly into a role, usually working with a dedication and commitment that are inspiring. He's in total command and control in Sparrow, taking every tortured twist and turn of his character's psyche and playing it for all it's worth. In other hands, this could become self-indulgent and lead to serious overacting; but Garfield is too interested in creating a character rather than an effect, and so he is at all times true to the demands of the drama here, rather than to ego. Walter Slezak] is also in good form, if not working on Garfield's exalted level. Maureen O'Hara, however, is simply miscast. Richard Wallace finds opportunity to utilize his camera and an array of shadows to create chilling effects. Were the screenplay more artfully written, Sparrow would be a solid classic, rather than the good-but-flawed film it is.