IMDb RATING
5.9/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Union spy Gail Loveless impersonates a black maid in the early days of the Civil War, but complications arise when she falls in love with a Confederate officer.Union spy Gail Loveless impersonates a black maid in the early days of the Civil War, but complications arise when she falls in love with a Confederate officer.Union spy Gail Loveless impersonates a black maid in the early days of the Civil War, but complications arise when she falls in love with a Confederate officer.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total
Douglass Dumbrille
- Gen. Stuart
- (as Douglas Dumbrille)
The Mills Brothers
- Medicine Show Singers
- (as The Four Mills Brothers)
Ernie Adams
- Orderly
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough Curly Howard of The Three Stooges played the part of a Confederate soldier in this film, most of his part was cut prior to release. However, he can still be seen briefly in one sequence.
- GoofsEarly in the film, the bugler is ordered to sound "Officers Call". He does so, and a distant bugler in the camp repeats the call. However, the second call is sounded in a much higher key. In reality, both bugles would play in the same key.
- Quotes
Major Allen aka Allen Pinkerton: Operators 27 and 13 are not men.
'Doctor' Hitchcock: What are they, mules?
- ConnectionsFeatured in Captured on Film: The True Story of Marion Davies (2001)
- SoundtracksOnce In a Lifetime
(1934) (uncredited)
Music by Walter Donaldson
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Played during the opening credits
Sung by Confederate soldiers in Richmond, Marion Davies and soldiers
Played as background music often
Featured review
A good cast for this spy film set in the Civil War
"Operator 13" is an early Civil War film with a fine cast. It's also one of the early Hollywood films in which a white performer plays a role of another race. Marion Davies impersonates a Black woman in disguise to infiltrate the Confederacy and spy for the Union forces.
Davies plays Gail Loveless who soon meets and falls for a Confederate spy, Capt. Jack Gailliard. Gary Cooper plays that part. Of course, she doesn't let on to who she is. It's only after the war that the truth comes out.
A number of other known actors of the day have roles, including Jean Parker, Douglas Dumbrille, and Sidney Toler. The plot is interesting but the screenplay is a little choppy in places. This isn't a movie about the actual battles and destruction, but a behind-the-scenes film about spying during the Civil War.
Many may not find it that great a story, but I give it six stars on the strength of the fine cast.
Davies plays Gail Loveless who soon meets and falls for a Confederate spy, Capt. Jack Gailliard. Gary Cooper plays that part. Of course, she doesn't let on to who she is. It's only after the war that the truth comes out.
A number of other known actors of the day have roles, including Jean Parker, Douglas Dumbrille, and Sidney Toler. The plot is interesting but the screenplay is a little choppy in places. This isn't a movie about the actual battles and destruction, but a behind-the-scenes film about spying during the Civil War.
Many may not find it that great a story, but I give it six stars on the strength of the fine cast.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Špijun 13
- Filming locations
- Stage 8, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA(mansion, army camp and country road "exterior" sets)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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